A Quiet Voice HomeA Quiet Voice Home

Towards Recovery

Addictions Home
Am I addicted?
Why am I addicted?
Recovery
Resources
My Practice
Helping Resources
For Professionals
Search the Site
Home


None of these suggestions will help anyone who denies they have a problem. First you must recognize that you are out of control.

Checkmark If the addiction is to alcohol, join Alcoholics Anonymous.
Checkmark

If the addiction is to something other than alcohol, you can still go to a relevant 12 step program, or even to AA meetings [some are open, some closed] if you can't find a program targeting your addiction. AA was the first 12 step program, on which all others are modeled. For those uncomfortable with the 12 step model, there are support groups not based on it. The important thing is to get support.

Support
Checkmark Find positive and honest support.
Checkmark Learn the Serenity Prayer.
Checkmark Think about whatever is positive about the addiction. What does it do for you? What needs does it meet? Then think about constructive ways to meet those needs.
Checkmark

Find or reconnect with "something" that can satisfy the need for a spiritual dimension in your life. [As one recovering alcoholic told me "In AA we say that religion is for people who don't want to go to hell, and spirituality is for those who have already been there."]

Checkmark Recognize the need for new, healthier coping strategies to gradually replace your unhealthy addictive behaviors.
Checkmark Find help to identify underlying issues and work on them. You may need counseling and/or group work.
Checkmark

Don't confuse the addictive substance or behavior with your addiction. As AA says, if all you do is stop drinking, you're a "dry drunk." Drinking is a symptom--not the disease.

Checkmark Expect setbacks or relapses. Setbacks are not failures--they are valuable lessons. [Falling down isn't failure. Not trying to get up is failure.]
Checkmark Develop communication skills. Learn to recognize, tolerate, and express your feelings.
Checkmark Develop yourself. Find new skills or hobbies that can replace the addiction.
Checkmark

Externalize the disorder--don't feed it what it wants. That is, see yourself as separate from the behaviors or substances. If you identify with alcohol, for instance, you will only feel worse about yourself, which will increase the pressure to drink.

Checkmark Look at the costs of your addiction. Get loved ones to tell you how it affects them. Is it worth it?
Checkmark See other pages on general coping skills.
Checkmark

What if nothing else seems like it can give you as much pleasure as the addiction? Maybe you've tried many things, but nothing comes close. Sometimes, you just need to grieve the loss as you give up something that's been so important to you. And sometimes you have to accept on faith that you will find more value down the road.

Checkmark

Addictions are often present with and reinforced by other problems. You must treat the whole person. See other sections for information on other disorders.

Note If you have strategies that have helped you through recovery from an addiction, please share them with me. While I may not be able to list them all, I'll try to update this page with the best submissions.

Comments, questions, or suggestions?  Please, email me.

Addictions Home | Am I Addicted? | Why Am I Addicted | Recovery | Resources

Home | My Practice | Helping Resources | For Professionals | Search | About | Contact Me
Legal Notice and Disclaimer

 
Jonathan P. Levine, CSW
2300 West Ridge Rd.
Rochester, NY  14626
(585) 225-0330
jonathan@aquietvoice.com

Updated on 06/22/2002
© 2002, Jonathan P. Levine, CSW