Addiction thoughts and cravings - Substance Addiction and Recovery

Trigger–Thought–Craving–Use

Craving can be activated by external triggers.

Triggers can cause thoughts, which can turn into cravings and lead to use.

The earlier this chain of events is interrupted, the more likely relapse will be avoided.

An effective technique for coping with triggers and cravings is thought stopping.

Thought Stopping

Simply put, thought stopping interrupts the usual process that culminates in using or drinking.

The usual reaction to thoughts about using “argue” with the developing thought/craving. The argument usually results in the addiction winning.

Arguing precedes negotiation, compromise, justification, and, possibly, relapse.

Thought stopping ends this process before relapse begins, usually stopping cravings in their tracks.

If thought stopping works, but the thoughts frequently keep coming back, people in recovery may have to change their immediate environments or engage in tasks that require full concentration.

Thought stopping techniques include

Visualization

Relaxation

Rubberband snap

Calling someone

Visualization

When people experience thoughts of using drugs or alcohol, they can visualize a switch or lever and imagine actually moving it from ON to OFF to stop the drug- or alcohol-using thoughts.

It is important to have another thought ready to replace the drug- or alcohol-using thoughts.

It should be a pleasurable or meaningful thought and one that does not involve drug or alcohol use.

From Break The Cycle. Volusia County Outpatient Programs

Information about Methamphetamine and Cocaine - Addiction and Recovery

Methamphetamine - Cocaine Effect and Dopamine

Both are highly addictive stimulant drugs that are similar in many ways, although there are significant differences as well.

Cocaine and methamphetamine differ in that cocaine is processed out of the body much faster than is methamphetamine, so the effects, or high, of cocaine don’t last as long.

The effects of cocaine last for only 1 to 2 hours, whereas the effects of methamphetamine last 8 to 12 hours.

Withdrawal from methamphetamine also can last longer, and the symptoms of withdrawal may be more intense than those of cocaine withdrawal.

Dopamine

The effects of both meth and cocaine are caused by the drugs’ effects on dopamine, a chemical that is always present in the brain.

Dopamine plays an important role in:

• Body movement

• Motivation and reward Thinking

• Pleasure responses

Dopamine also plays an important role in addiction to any drug.

Example of Dopamine’s Effect

When a person engages in natural activities like eating, drinking, and sex, dopamine is released by cells in the brain and creates immediate (though short-lasting)

feelings of pleasure by stimulating other cells in the brain.

These feelings reward the basic activities of eating, drinking, and sex and motivate people to repeat them, ensuring survival.

Dopamine Imbalance

When the natural balance of dopamine is upset (by a drug, for example), a person can experience negative effects:

Too much dopamine may produce nervousness, irritability, aggressiveness, fears that are not based on reality, and bizarre thoughts.

Too little dopamine is associated with low mood, fatigue, and the tremors and the inability to control movement that are part of Parkinson’s disease.

Dopamine and Stimulant Drugs

When a person uses meth or cocaine, too much dopamine becomes available in the brain.

Although each drug increases the amount of dopamine in the brain in a different way, many of the effects are the same.

When a person first starts taking meth or cocaine, he or she will experience primarily pleasurable effects but will also experience some negative effects that are caused by too much dopamine.

Dopamine and Stimulant Use Over Time

As a person continues to use meth or cocaine, the brain’s dopamine system becomes damaged.

As the damage increases, the person will continue to experience some pleasurable effects but also will experience substantial negative effects from meth or cocaine.

When the stimulant and euphoric effects of meth or cocaine wear off, dopamine levels may decrease to levels that are below normal, and the person experiences an abrupt drop in mood and energy levels.

Symptoms of fatigue and depression are common.

These negative feelings often create a strong desire (craving) in the person to take the drug again.

Over time (often, very little time), this use–depression–craving–use cycle leads to addiction.

Route of Administration

• How a drug is taken influences

• How quickly it produces an effect

• The strength of the drug’s effects, both positive and negative

The negative effects a person will experience

Both meth and cocaine are available in various forms that can be:

• Injected

• Smoked

• Snorted

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is known on the street as

• Meth

• Crystal

• Ice

• Speed

• Glass

• Chalk

• Crank

• Tweak

The 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimated that 12 million people ages 12 and older had used meth at least once in their lifetime.

Some evidence shows that meth use has stabilized. The number of people using meth and the number of people trying it for the first time remained constant in 2002,

2003, and 2004.

From 2002 to 2004, the average age of first use increased by more than 3 years, from 18.9 years to 22.1 years.

Who Uses Meth?

Although the overall rate of meth use may not be increasing, use remains a significant problem.2,3

The number of people dependent on meth more than doubled between 2002 and 2004.4

Once confined to certain areas of the country, particularly Hawaii and west coast cities, meth use has spread throughout the country and among different populations.

People who use meth have traditionally been Caucasian, male, blue-collar workers.

Meth use spread to the party and club scene (raves, etc.).

Meth use is increasing among Hispanics and young people who are homeless.

Use among women has increased.

More women use meth than use cocaine or heroin; near-equal numbers of men and women now use the drug.

Meth is used increasingly in the workplace; it has long been used by long-haul truck drivers, but use is spreading on construction sites and in manufacturing.

People in the entertainment, sales, retail, and legal professions also increasingly are using meth.
34

Immediate Psychological Effects

The immediate psychological effects of methamphetamine include:

• Euphoria

• Alertness or wakefulness

• Feelings of increased strength and renewed energy

• Feelings of invulnerability (feeling that nothing bad can happen to you)

• Feelings of increased confidence and competence

• Intensified feelings of sexual desire

• Decreased feelings of boredom, loneliness, and shyness

Immediate Physical Effects

The immediate physical effects of methamphetamine include:

Increased:

– Heart rate – Blood pressure
– Pupil size – Breathing rate
– Sensitivity to sound and stimulation – Body temperature

Decreased
– Appetite
– Sleep
– Reaction time

Toxic Effects

These effects may not sound bad, or they even may sound desirable.

However, meth can cause serious long-term psychological and physical damage (toxic effects).

Although many toxic effects go away in time, even after a person stops using meth, some effects can be permanent.

Most negative effects begin fairly soon with regular meth use.

Chronic Psychological Effects

Chronic psychological effects (“chronic” means that these effects may begin later in a person’s use cycle and last a long time) of meth use include increased

Confusion

Mood swings

Loss of ability to concentrate and

Irritability and anger organize information

Counselor’s Family Education Manual: Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Loss of ability to feel pleasure without the drug

Paranoia (persistent feelings that one is being watched, is being followed, or is about to be harmed)

Insomnia and fatigue

Depression

Anxiety and panic disorder

Depression when not using meth, called “crashing”

Reckless, unprotected sexual behavior

Severe Psychological Effects

Particularly severe psychological effects can include

Tactile hallucinations (the person feels as if things are crawling on him or her) or auditory hallucinations (the person hears things that aren’t there)

Severe depression that can lead to suicidal thoughts or attempts

Episodes of sudden, violent behavior

Severe memory loss that may be permanent

Chronic Physical Effects

Chronic physical effects of use include

Tremor (shakiness)

Weakness

Dry mouth

Weight loss and malnutrition

Increased sweating

Oily skin

Sores caused by oily skin and by the person picking at his or her skin, a common effect of meth use

Headaches

Severe problems with teeth and gums caused by teeth grinding, decreased blood flow to the mouth, and decreased saliva

Severe Physical Effects

Particularly severe physical effects can include

Seizures

Damage to small blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to stroke

Damaged brain cells

Irregular heartbeat that can cause sudden death

Heart attack or chronic heart problems, including the breaking down of the heart muscle

Liver failure

“Tweaking,” movements that a person can’t control that are repeated regularly

Infected skin sores that can cause severe scarring

Meth Is Not Just Meth

Because meth is manufactured by amateur “cooks,” it is often full of impurities, such as lead ace- tate or mercury, which can lead to heavy metal poisoning, and

various acids created in the process.

In addition, meth is “cut,” or diluted, before it is sold to maximize profits.

The substances used to cut meth can cause problems of their own.

Meth purity tends to range from 40 to 70 percent, meaning 30 to 60 percent of what a person injects, snorts, or smokes is not meth.6

Injecting Meth

The ways in which a person can take meth create special problems as well. Injecting meth can cause

Blood clots

Heart inflammation

Skin abscesses

Pneumonia

HIV, tuberculosis, or hepatitis C virus

Kidney failure exposure from sharing needles and other works or from unprotected sex

Snorting Meth

Snorting meth can cause

Sinus infection

Hoarseness

Holes in the septum, the cartilage

Nosebleeds between nostrils

Smoking Meth

Smoking meth can cause

Throat problems

Severe coughing with black mucus

Burned lips

Chronic lung disease

Lung congestion

Meth Dose and Effects

The dose and frequency of meth use affect the level of toxic effects, as well.

The higher the dose and the more frequent the use, the higher the likelihood of toxic effects.

People who use meth tend to develop tolerance for the drug, meaning that it takes a higher dose to get the desired effect as people continue to use meth.

Submitted by http://breakthecycle12.com

Examples of Alcohol abuse and the problems it can cause

Alcohol Abuse and some of the problems it can create

• Drinking can cause behavioral and physical problems.

• Alcohol use is associated with domestic violence, child abuse, and assault.

• Use is associated with all types of accidents.

The more heavily a person drinks, the greater the potential for problems at home, at work, with friends, and even with strangers. These problems may include

• Arguments with or separation from spouse and other family members

• Strained relationships with colleagues

• Absence from or lateness to work with increasing frequency

• Loss of employment because of decreased productivity

• Committing or being the victim of violence

• Auto crashes and/or arrests for driving under the influence

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For the best quality in drug and alcohol recovery and counseling, please visit:

 Break The Cycle Florida Outpatient Services

7 Positives To Focus in On During Recovery

1)      Relationships, intimacy and commitment. Studies show that people who rate themselves as very happy have close ties with other people. But having a large number of friends doesn’t seem to matter. What does matter is that happy people prioritize connecting with others, making meaningful friendships, and then making time to spend with those people. Start small — try making one phone call to someone you care about each week. See where that leads.

2)      Caring, kindness, giving and service. Making time to give back. It may be to the recovery community through service to your Alcoholics Anonymous group, or in other ways, but make it a priority to do things for others with no particular reward in mind. Volunteering is a great way to connect with others and give back to your community. Not sure you can handle volunteering in a hospital or nursing home setting? Perhaps walking dogs at the local animal shelter is a better match for you.

3)      Physical health, nutrition, sleep and exercise. Negative moods can be a real risk to your sobriety, and using drugs or alcohol can wreak havoc on your body. Regular exercise can be as effective as medication at easing depression—and you’ll feel better physically, too. Not the type of person to join a gym? Hate running? Try yoga or find a local rail trail in your area. You can find activities that you can enjoy solo or in a group. Many areas now have “Meet Up” groups engaging in nearly any type of activity you can imagine—from ultimate Frisbee to tango.

4)      Goals, hobbies and flow. Find an activity that you can dive into with both feet. For some, this may be a creative outlet, like pottery, needlework or art. For others it may be an activity, like riding a horse or bicycle. Whatever it is, it should be something that challenges you—something you can work at and seek to master. It should be something that when you do it, you can get into the groove and experience the joy of “flow.” Flow is best understood as that sense that you’ve totally lost track of time and even a sense of yourself. With pottery, it’s like the universe has shrunk down to the clay, the wheel and your hands. Time evaporates, and you are totally in the moment. Afterward, you may feel joyful, relaxed or exhilarated, and you’ll likely be amazed at how much time went by. Experiencing flow is a core component of happiness.

5)      Spirituality, religion or a higher power. Studies show that people who consistently consider themselves to be happiest also indicate some connection to either an organized religion, a self-definition as spiritual or a commitment to a higher power. Many different traditions stress some sort of meditation as a part of the practice of the faith, and again, meditation is known to be linked with feelings of well-being and happiness.

6)      Strengths, best qualities and sharing them. Again, studies show that happiness is strongly linked to a certain type of self-knowledge—not self-criticism. While it is all too common to be your own harshest critic, being able to identify and use your best qualities—your strengths and virtues—is an important skill that happy people seem to master.

7)      Optimism and gratitude. These qualities have to do with being able to roll with the punches and cope with the ups and downs that life and recovery will certainly dole out. Happy people manage to find opportunities, even in difficult or negative situations. They may mourn and grieve losses, but they don’t lose hope or predict negative outcomes. Studies indicate that optimistic thinking can help people feel better mentally, emotionally and physically.

If you work on integrating these seven principles into your life, as you continue to work your program, you just may find that relapse prevention is a positive and fun part of being sober.

From Promises.com

Addiction Help Programs - Opiate Addiction and Various Types of Treatment Programs

Once it grabs hold, an opiate addiction can haunt a person for the rest of his life. The effects of opiates hit hard and fast. Before even realizing it, getting and abusing drugs becomes the central focus of one's life. Once a person acknowledges how powerful an opiate addiction can get, opiate addiction treatment programs turns into a matter of fighting for one's life.

Opiate addiction help which can be found at opioid treatment center St. George starts from where a person's willpower leave off when withdrawal symptoms and cravings kick in. Opioid treatment program St. George includes medication and psychotherapy help to gradually steer a person out of the clutches of an opiate addiction. As opioid treatment program St. George can be very helpful to a person who wants to beat the addiction, understanding the different types of treatment available in opioid treatment center St. George can make the recovery process easier.

There are various types of treatment programs available to help someone in overcoming opiate addiction and some of them are as follows:

1) Cold turkey detox. Quitting opiates cold turkey can be a very hard, long, and painful process. In this process, you don't take any medication to mimic the effects of opiates. You experience the effects of a sudden disappearance of drug from your body. It is also very successful because going through withdrawals is the worst nightmare that one can have and after going through that generally people stay away from drug abuse because they have a reason to do that.

2) The slow taper method. Slow tapering can decrease withdrawal symptoms if done right. Clearly, the slower the taper, the less painful your withdrawal effects will be. It is quite possible to quit using this technique, but one must be exceptionally disciplined or rely upon the help of a loved one who can distribute and keep an eye on the dosage. But for a few clients, this may not be a realistic approach to quit. The slow taper strategy winds up being an excuse to justify and prolong consistent drug use.

3) Suboxone treatment. Suboxone is a medicine that is comprised of buprenorphine and naloxone which, when released in the body, eliminates the opiate withdrawal symptoms almost instantaneously. It is really useful for people who were on strong drugs before. The drawback about this pill is that it is highly addictive and there is a high chance that one might develop an addiction of Suboxone. Buprenorphine is the active ingredient in Suboxone and Naxalone. Buprenorphine has a stronger effect on a brain's opiate receptors than all other opiates.

4) In-patient rehab centers. In-patient rehab is done in a residential setting, with the addict staying right at the facility, instead of traveling to clinics for appointments. This is an incredible alternative for clients that require broad emotional or physical backing. In-patient rehab gives the client a structured day in a safe place, where they can be observed, undergo physiological treatment, and create sustainable and healthy life habits for when they are to be discharged.

5) Outpatient opioid treatment. Outpatient opioid treatment is optimumal for the case in which the addict already has a good support system in place and can exercise great self-control. If you feel that you already have your addiction under control and you simply require a little guidance to get you past the halfway point, then outpatient opioid treatment may work for you.

If you are looking for opiate addiction treatment programs, then visit BrookStone Medical Center. We specialize in medically assisted tapers using methadone, buprenorphine and suboxone. Our personalized counseling and tapering programs are designed to fix every patient's needs. For more details, please visit our website

Step 4 Spiritual Principle: Courage

Each of the 12 steps has a spiritual principle behind it.  The first 3 are:

Step 1 is Honesty
Step 2 is Hope
Step 3 is Faith

Since Step 4 asks for a "searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves", COURAGE is the featured principle and feeling as you do a Step 4.

There are 3 main areas/feelings that people will address on a Step 4.

FEARS
RESENTMENTS
SEX HARMS

Honesty is also needed when doing a Step 4 to rid as much of the resentments and fears that can occupy the mind of an alcoholic and addict during the early part of their recovery.

Many in the program feel getting to and through a step 4 as quick as possible can be very beneficial in relieving the heavy weight of FEAR and RESENTMENT.

After this courageous and honest step, a person then releases this "inventory" to God and another person (a sponsor preferably).

The "work" starts at Step 4 and it can be difficult for some. But it also can release the burdens we carry around and prepares you for the rest of the Steps and your new life in sobriety.

Sober Recovery Video - Family Recovery

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Daytona Beach Sober House - Recovery Living and Housing Daytona Florida

Very established and safe sober housing is available for ANYONE seeking a new life in recovery from Alcohol dependence and Drug addiction. We have several properties and resources in the Daytona Beach Florida area. Our Sober house is based on a structure to help all of our residents follow a 12 step program, attend meetings and rebuild their lives.

Our Sober Housing provides a plan for "living" as you advance through our program of recovery.

Fees are paid weekly

We provide assistance for anything you need including:

Employment
Medical situations
Food
Transportation to meetings and work
Church services

Our Daytona Beach Sober - Halfway House offers comfortable and clean living conditions.

The halfway house apartments provide separation from the total population and provides:

TV
Wifi Internet
Clean beds
Air Conditioning

We are also located within close proximity to Daytona Ocean beaches



Please contact Nick at aitbroker at gmaildotcom for more information or to schedule a phone call/in take.

The Mind Of A Drug Addict

If you do nothing to get out, you end up dying. To be a drug addict is to be imprisoned. In the beginning, you think drugs are your friend (they may seem to help you escape the things or feelings that bother you). But soon, you will find you get up in the morning thinking only about drugs. You start building up a tolerance, you need to spend more, do more, you can do half of what you're doing and still get the same effect, or more."

An addict thinks, I can use this one time and I'll be fine and I won't do it again.' An addict can't think like that, but that's how they do think. They think they have control of it and they don't. You use that one time and that one time turns into, 'You're hooked.'"

They do not consider long term problems that might result. Over time, the desire for the drugs becomes more important than the pleasure the addict gets from it. By the time the thrill is gone, long-lasting changes may have occurred within key regions of the brain.

No matter the initial reason a person begins taking drugs, the end result is invariably the same—disaster.

"Your whole day is spent finding or taking drugs. You get high all afternoon. At night, you put yourself to sleep with heroin. After wake up, you liven up with crack, And you live only for that. You are in a prison. You beat your head against a wall, nonstop, but you don't get anywhere. In the end, your prison becomes your tomb."


Those who become addicted quickly learn how to go from doctor to doctor to obtain prescriptions. They are known how to visit the offices of many doctors and how to evade those pharmacies that might have their prescription histories stored in their computers.

It has been said that the least favorite word for an addict to hear is "No." When addicts are not ready to change, they become master manipulators in order to keep the addiction going. Their fear of stopping is so great that they will do just about anything to keep from having to be honest with themselves. Some of these manipulations include lying, cheating, blaming, raging and guilt-tripping others, as well as becoming depressed or developing other kinds of emotional or physical illnesses.

The more you allow yourself to be manipulated by the addict, the more manipulative the addict is likely to become. When you hold your ground and refuse to give into their unreasonable demands, they will eventually crumble into their own psychotic hell on earth.

By Daniel Miltz

Acquiring spirituality with proper meditation

In today's fast paced life, we all need to take a halt at some point or the other in order to reconcile and rethink what we went through the entire day. Meditation is often suggested as the way to reduce significant amount of stress, anxiety and depression. As we all lead a pretty hectic lifestyle, meditation has become an important part for completing our life. The most effective and beneficial exercise of mind which can help you at any point of time is meditation.

The best thing about meditation session is felt mainly after you wake up from it and feel refreshed like never before. You may be either doing meditation on your own or inspired to undertake Easy Meditation Online Class for more impact. Its an art and requires heavy concentration and passionate faith while doing it. The tranquility that you experience is worth every bit as the meditation never has any kind of side effect. All the more you would receive best results as you will wake up from the condition all rejuvenate and refreshed, which will help you attain more concentration, stay focused and attain peace of mind. Its nothing but controlling the thoughts, emotions of mind in a certain way with utter calmness. The process of meditation is nothing but as simple as closing your eyes and sitting in a comfortable padmasana position followed by bring the concentration at a single point.

The best things which you are sure to be benefited with:

Clearer and focused thinking
Mental stability
Radiant skin
Proper sleep
Slows aging
Clearer thought process
Reduces asthma symptoms
Prevent anxiety attacks
Lower heart rate
Increased blood flow
Able to exercise fro a longer period of time
Stabilizes weight
Calms the nervous system
Improves brain activities and functionality
Improved rate of fertility
Inner peace
Balance between min, body and soul
Increased ability to love
Increased wisdom
Developing more rational way of think
Ability to answer your own problems
Development of psychic powers at certain levels
Increased attraction
Find the true purpose of your life
Increased patience
Increased happiness
Improved vitality
Increased IQ
Increased emotion state of mind
More outgoing and better personalty
Non aggressive behavioral pattern

If you are thinking about how to do it on your own and seeking more effective results, then pursue an Easy Meditation Online Class if going for regular class are not possible, because with expert advice and guidance your meditation will be completely fruitful. Start meeting your needs and understand what you soul requires by practicing more meditation since now.

For more information on Easy Meditation Online Class give us a call on +91 9820241639 or email at wecare@soultemplenet.com

Addiction; Why Willpower Has Nothing to Do With Addiction Recovery

There are a number of myths that pervade our social consciousness pertaining to addiction, and these myths are almost universally unhelpful to addicts afflicted with the disease of addiction, and contribute greatly to the stigma that even recovering alcoholics and drug addicts must endure.

Addicts don't have to hit "rock bottom" before getting help. In fact waiting this long almost always makes things far more difficult, and the necessary therapy and recovery needed that much longer. Addicts do not need to decide for themselves to get treatment either, and statistics show that addicts mandated to attend drug or alcohol treatment are just as successful as those that attend of their own accord.

But the possibly the most harmful myth related to addiction is that addicts are somehow weak, or lacking in willpower.

The impulses of addiction are beyond conscious control

It's easy for us to explain addiction and the behaviors of use out of a framework of personal strength and willpower, and for those not addicted, willpower does control how much we drink, or even use illicit drugs. But for an addict, once drugs or alcohol abuse becomes addiction, willpower becomes irrelevant.

With addiction comes a physical change in the processes of the brain, and these changes occur in the mesolimbic dopaminergic area of the brain, an area that operates outside of our conscious control. The mesolimbic creates the impulses and cravings to abuse, and these impulses are not of a conscious nature. Although the behaviors and use of an addict appears at the surface considered and deliberate, those actions are in fact controlled at a preconscious level, and are beyond the scope of willpower.


It takes strength to overcome addiction, but not willpower

Although these impulses operate at a preconscious level, there are strategies, medicines and life changes that have proven effective in minimizing the impact exerted by the preconscious impulses to use. Willpower has nothing to do with it, but it takes enormous strength, courage and will to participate fully in difficult therapies of recovery and to make the life changes required to minimize the impact of these triggers to use.

We can never control what we are not fully aware of, but we can take steps to minimize the occurrence of these impulses. We do so through medications that affect the mesolimbic, and by cognitive and behavioral strategies that reduce out exposure to situations and environments likely to trigger a preconscious impulse. It's not easy to change your life in such a way as to minimize these triggers to abuse, and those that can do so should be celebrated for their strength and determination, and never castigated for their weakness or lack of willpower.

Although addiction is medically recognized as a disease, the stigma associated with addiction recovery has a lot to do with myths and misunderstandings of the true nature of addiction. Recovering addicts deserve our support and admiration, and never the lingering stigma of personal weakness.

By Christin Shire

Don’t relapse after rehab. Sober living housing can help.

For people not ready to face the world head-on, for people without a sober place to go, and for people still struggling with addiction and a corresponding mental illness, coming out of drug or alcohol rehab and into a sober living environment can be a great way to increase the odds of long term sobriety and success.

What is sober living housing?

Sober living housing (halfway housing) is simply a residency, that may or may not offer some degree of addictions therapy, and which provides low cost accommodation to addicts in recovery in return for an agreement to accept a certain and strict code of conduct.

Residents transitioning through a sober living house must generally gain employment, may not bring drugs or alcohol in to the house, may not appear intoxicated inside the residence, and must abide by behavioral rules such as curfews and work duties. Residents are free to stay for as long as they like, and there is rarely a pre set period of residency, but most recovering addicts stay from 1-6 months.

The benefits of sober living housing

There are a number of benefits to residency in a sober living house, and one of the most obvious is simply that living in a sober house reduces the temptations of independent living, and increases the odds that recovering addicts can withstand the sometimes intense cravings during the initial months out of rehab.

But sober living housing offers more and one of the intangibles, but something that does offer great assistance to those struggling with sobriety, is simply the development of sober friendships within the house, and learning again how to have fun without drugs or alcohol.

Most people with lengthy addictions histories have spent years equating fun or recreation with intoxication, and newly sober addicts often find leisure time one of the greatest threats to sobriety. How can you have fun without intoxication?

If you're on your own, filling leisure time and dealing with loneliness can be difficult, but in a sober living house you benefit from the company and camaraderie of a group of recovering addicts in a very similar situation to yours. Sober living house friendships are the rule rather than the exception, and addicts learn together how to have fun and enjoy themselves in a healthy and safe manner.

This may seem a small thing at the surface level, but dealing with leisure time in a healthy way is crucial to long term sobrietyArticle Search, and those that cannot learn this skill have little chance at ultimate success.

Don't relapse

From
http://www.choosehelp.com/topics/drug-treatment/halfway-house-drug-treatment

Finding Peace One Day At a Time

Hi, my name is Christopher and I am an Alcoholic. For years I drank to solve every problem; my marriage problems; my financial problems; my employment problems...EVERY problem. Alcohol seemed to be the magic potion that could turn me into the great man that I truly wanted to be. But then, cunningly, it became my master. It became what I call, "the great LOAN SHARK." What I mean is, it would give me what I wanted (a sense of ease, comfort, belonging, and especially confidence), but then it always TOOK from me in INTEREST. It took my home, my career, my money, material possessions, and most of all...my serenity. And one day I woke up and realized that I simply could NOT stop drinking. It had me. I was alcohol's prisoner.

So after years of trying everything I could to stop, I finally had to admit that I was licked, and that I just couldn't quit on my own, and by my own means. And so I entered a sober-living community that seemed to have the solution I was looking for. They took me in, dusted me off, loved me unconditionally, and showed me a program of recovery that would finally allow me to be free; through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Today, I have a wonderful sponsor, I am taking the 12 Steps of AA to the best of my ability, I am around a loving community of people who care about me, and I am able to finally, FINALLY, put my recovery FIRST! I can't say that everything in my life is exactly how I want it to be. However, I CAN say that it is exactly how GOD wants it to be. And I'm learning that THAT is what is most important! Today I'm learning to live one day at a time; and for the first time I'm learning to accept people, places, and situations exactly the way they are. And for an alcoholic like myself, that is a HUGE change. Thank you God for Alcoholics Anonymous and for this wonderful fellowship.

Christopher e. Grateful Alcooholic

Spirituality in Addiction Recovery: How Can it Help?

How can spirituality help you in addiction recovery?

Hmmm...Let me count the ways. It can help you:

1. Focus on personal goals. Cultivating your spirituality may help uncover what's most meaningful in your life. By clarifying what's important to you, you can eliminate stress by focusing less on the unimportant things that can sometimes seem to consume you.

2. Connect to the world. The more you feel you have a purpose in the world, the less solitary you feel even when you're alone. This can lead to an inner peace during difficult times.

3. Release control. When you feel part of a greater whole, you realize that you aren't responsible for everything that happens in life. You can share the burden of tough times as well as the joys of life's blessings with those around you.

4. Expand your support network. Whether you find spirituality in a church, mosque or synagogue, in your family, or in walks with a friend through nature, this sharing of spiritual expression can help build relationships.

5. Lead a healthier life. Some research seems to indicate that people who consider themselves spiritual are often better able to cope with stress and heal from illness or addiction.

Cultivating your spirituality

Spirituality begins with your relationship with yourself, is nurtured by your relationships with others and culminates in a sense of purpose in life. Realizing this, two of the best ways to cultivate your spirituality are to improve your self-esteem and to foster relationships with those who are important to you. This can lead to a deepened sense of your place in life and in the greater good.

Bill Urell
Bio

Spiritual Principles To Recovery

The spiritual principles behind the 12 steps in recovery are designed to give people a foundation for healing and sustained growth in their spiritual journey. These principles are:

Honesty
Hope
Faith
Courage
Integrity
Willingness
Humility
Justice
Discipline
Perseverance
Awareness
Love and Service

As a recovering alcoholic and a drug counselor, I have seen many alcoholics and addicts attempt recovery. Many of the people I work with do not allow these spiritual principles to work in their life. Including some of those who have gone through the 12 steps. I tell my groups that even if they have done the 12 steps - partially or fully, you must incorporate them into your daily life and pray on them. Living the spiritual principles will create the change you want and need for the rest of your life.

These are not only principles of a "step program". They are principles to live a fulfilling life, the way God intended us to be. I have found beyond doubt that these spiritual words behind your actions will also make you happier than you ever dreamed. Happiness does not coexist with Anger, Resentment, Envy and other defects of character. Those are heavy weights on your daily life and you soul. I don't need to be a recovering alcoholic to know that I am happier when I use these spiritual principles in my life. I'm not perfect and I fail in some of these all the time. But through prayer and inventory, I find I can get back on the right path.

Those working a step program should incorporate all of these principles in all of their affairs for true spiritual recovery to take place. They are words to pray on and live by.

Richard Olsen
Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)
St. Charles Hospital
Port Jefferson, NY
stcharleshospital.chsli.org

Addiction Recovery Worksheet For Identifying Healthy Replacements for the Alcohol and Drugs

One of the most important tasks of early recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction is learning to replace the chemical with health living skills. When you have taken the chemical out of your life, it leaves a big gaping hole, where something of substance was. Alcohol or other drugs have served many purposes over the course of addiction. They have played many roles. They had meaningful functions in your life. When the chemical is removed from your behavioral repertoire, how will you deal with stress, an annoying coworker, insomnia, and task overload? In addiction, the chemical has been used as a substitute for living skills. Early recovery is a time of learning new living skills--partly so that you will not feel compelled to return to the chemical when you feel overwhelmed by the demands of day to day living. To prevent relapse in recovery, you must find healthy alternatives for the chemical.

Most people do not start drinking or using other mood altering drugs to numb emotional or psychological pain. They started drinking or using to have fun, enhance a good time, be a part of a social group or gathering. Once you have consumed the chemical you learn quickly that mood/mind altering drugs do exactly that. You learn that these chemicals work to relax you, give you courage, help you concentrate or focus. They make you more articulate, a better dancer, a good conversationalist, more outgoing, or a better lover-or at least you think the chemicals do that. And they do work for the purposes that you are applying them, at least temporarily.

Eventually, when you become dependent on the chemical to deal with life, with its challenges and ups and downs, the drugs (including alcohol) seem to have a mind of their own. Use takes on a momentum of its own, and eventually it's the drugs controlling you, rather than you controlling how, when, where, how much, and the outcomes.

It is inaccurate and ineffective to believe that if you can find out "why" you used in the first place and continued to use despite negative consequences, that you will be cured, fixed, or struck sober. However, once you are abstinent from the chemical, in order to stay sober, you must identify the roles that the chemicals have played in your life. It is too simplistic to say that these roles are "why" you drank/used. It is more complicated than that. However, to prevent relapse, you must find new things to do with your stress, anxiety, feelings, etc. than drink or use drugs.

Alcoholics/addicts use the chemical for numbing feelings, relaxing, giving them more self-confidence, to reduce inhibitions, to escape from problems temporarily, to not think about nagging thoughts, to reduce anxiety, and to feel a part of a group. There are many other roles or functions of the chemical.

Recovering people must identify for themselves the roles that the chemical played in their lives. Then identify the possible healthy replacements for those roles. To assist you in this process, use the following worksheet format:

Worksheet For Identifying Healthy Replacements for Alcohol/Drugs

By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.

Use separate paper and the following format to assist you in identifying the roles that the chemicals have played in your life and possible healthy alternatives to those chemicals. You may also use a Two Column Format, where the first column is entitled "Roles" and the second column is entitled "Healthy Alternatives". First identify a reason that you drank/used, or a role or function that the chemical played; then identify some things that you can do instead of drinking/using when the need for that role/purpose/function returns. An example of drinking for stress reduction being replaced by exercise, AA meetings, relaxation skills, etc. "stress"

Examples:

Role - Reduce Stress

Replacements - Physical Exercise, self-hypnosis, guided imagery, learning new problem solving skills, eliminating procrastination, practice better organization, practicing cognitive therapy

Role - Having fun/entertainment

Replacements - Develop social support system and friendship network of people who do not drink/use, develop hobbies, take salsa dance lessons, learn to play tennis, watch movies with friends,

Role - Deal with feelings

Replacements - Learn to identify, own, and express feelings appropriately, learn and practice assertiveness skills, write letters to people that you have feelings about (but don't mail them), use prayer, look for the part that you play in the resentment or the conflict, talk to sponsor or friend, remind yourself that feelings are normal, that everyone has them, and that you have a choice and a responsibility about what to do with them.

Role - Relax and go to sleep

Replacements - Use good sleep hygiene, get exercise earlier in the day, read Big Book in bed, use thought stopping techniques to cut out mind-racing, ruminating, or worry, make an ongoing gratitude list and rehearse it in your mind as you lie in bed, take warm bath/shower, listen to relaxation tapes.

The above are only a few examples of the roles that the chemicals may have played in your life. The examples of replacements are also just a sample. You might have the same replacements used for different role categories. For example, you might use exercise to deal with anxiety, stress, anger, boredom, fun, and sleep (among others). The point is to identify what you used the chemical for and to identify replacements that you will actually try and use. Make a list. Add to it as you think of new role categories and replacement options. Make sure that your replacement lists include social activities that bring you into frequent contact with other sober people. Post it by your door, in your vehicle, at your job-wherever you can see it when you most need to be reminded that there are alternatives in your life to the chemical.

The more techniques that you try, the more you use and practice them, the more likely you are to choose alternatives than the chemical, when you would have normally used the chemical in the past.

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Author's Bio:

People trying to find their way into recovery need all the help they can get. The numerous articles on my website that are available to you, cover Individual and Family Dynamics of Addiction and Recovery, Marriage, Sexual Addiction, Mental Health, Couple Communication, and Skill Development, along with other informational resources such as a Recommended Readings page, a Links page, an Ask Peggy column, Surveys, and e-books. To check out my website, go to http://www.peggyferguson.com To purchase and download my ebooks on addiction and recovery, go to http://www.peggyferguson.com/ServicesProvided.en.html Ebooks include "Understanding Cross Addiction to Prevent Relapse", "The Recovering Person's Guide to Surviving and Thriving Through The Holidays Without Losing Your Sanity or Your Sobriety", and "Protecting Your Recovery in Post Surgery Pain Days."

The information in this article (and on my website) is for educational/information purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment.

Dr. Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D., LADC, LMFT, Marriage/Family Therapist, Alcohol/Drug Counselor, Writer, Trainer, Consultant, provides professional counseling services in and around Stillwater, Oklahoma.

From Homeless and Hopeless To Happy - Addiction Recovery Story

Never did I think I would be homeless. I came from a good family and I had a good education. My parents were both school teachers. I was a sociable drinker for many years and used some drugs mostly on weekends. I never seemed to be satisfied with myself or jobs I had.

I had early consequences with my drug and alcohol use. 2 DUI's took away my driving. I started to feel sorry for myself. As things got worse, I only used more. I really hated myself. My parents didn't understand why I was doing this self destructive behavior. There were time where it was either get drunk or kill myself. Looking back on this, how crazy is that?!  I now realize that all I needed to do was ask for help. For so long I never did that. I didn't think there was help for me.

The last 6 months before I got clean and sober I was homeless in Miami Florida. I'm not the homeless type. I thought I was tough but living in the streets is just dumb if there is another way. Today I am 5 months in recovery and work as an assistant auto mechanic in Miami. I thought I wanted to move but I realized it was me and not where I lived that was the problem. I have a sponsor and he has helped me get through some very rough days. I hope to have license back in a few months. Every day is a challenge but wanting to live each day is truly God's blessing to me. I hope this can help other alcoholics and addicts. There is Hope!

Albert G
Miami, Florida

Enjoying my new life without drugs and alcohol

I was born in a suburb of Atlanta Georgia. I was diagnosed with pretty severe ADD which made school hard. I drank and smoked weed in high school and it seemed to help me which sounds strange now. I went to several rehabs in my early 20's. I blamed it on my ADD and depression, instead of seeing that I was self medicating and going overboard.

I used Heroin for 3 weeks and overdosed twice. The Doctors told me I was a few minutes away from dying. I remember my mom's face when she visited me in the hospital. She really didn't understand any of this. My parents did not drink - except special occasions. This was a new low.

I got sober soon after I turned 30. I wanted to marry my girlfriend of 5 years but she was very worried about my drug and alcohol problem. I could get sober for a short while but I never had a real recovery program in my life. I don't why I was ready this time but I was out of options completely. I also was suffering from other health problems. I couldn't handle anything going the way I was.

Since coming into a sober residence, I've been able to put my recovery first. I know my family and girlfriend want the best for me. I miss them very much, but I am already starting to see my life get better. Even my ADD has gotten better. I am not on any medications because I have no insurance but I'm trying to get some. But aside from some sleep issues, I feel really good.

I am going to celebrate 30 days sober soon and I'm very grateful for it. I have a lot of help with my recovery support group in and out of my residence. I have a good job. It's not the job of my dreams but that's ok. It has given me responsibility and keeps me busy.

I'm trying to look to far ahead. I know I want what recovered people here have. I know they are a lot happier than I was when I got here. That is what I have kept my eye on. I have a sponsor and attend meetings every day. I smile more and I allow myself to have fun. I never thought I could have fun without drugs and alcohol. I'm now finding that I have more fun and for longer periods. That is one of the gifts of this program for me and recovery as a whole.

I pray every morning and every night. I know I'm led by my higher power. I'm still trying to understand it all, but my sponsor has told me I don't need to understand all of it. Just believing is good enough.

Joseph R
Macon, GA

Have you gotten Sober? Share your story with us!

We are looking for ongoing recovery stories from people who suffered though a drug and/or alcohol addiction problem. All stories submitted to us will be posted within 24 hours and you can use any name you wish or your initials. Simply email to the address below.

Sharing your story or experience can help you and certainly help people who may be suffering through this disease.

Long or Short

Your story or brief moments of experience, strength and hope can be as little as a paragraph or 2 up to 700 words. Whichever you like. We will spell check and create a title, so don't worry about being perfect.

Feel free to include the area you grow up in, your drugs of choice, what it was like and what it's like now.

Addiction recovery is largely about hope. Hope for you and hope for those who see and read another person's story. 

If you have any questions, email us or send your Sober Recovery Experience to: aitbroker@gmail.com

God Bless!
Daytona Sober Life

From North to South - Ohio to Florida Recovery Story

I was about 15 when I started drinking. I had older brothers, so beer was easy to get an early age. I smoked pot in high school and started getting poor grades. I managed to get good enough grades to get into a small college out of state in Ohio. I'm from Chicago. By the 2nd year, I was getting very homesick and depressed. A friend in college was into pain pills. I never tried them before but I liked them a lot. They did not make me drowsy or doped. I found myself more alert from it. The little money I had saved from home and working at a restaurant near my school was going more and more to these pills.

I tried to stick with just pot and drinking to save money but my friend would always have the pills I liked. Sometimes he would just toss me a few when I had no money. My addiction was full blown. Then one day, my friend got arrested. He was the only one helping me with my pills but also companionship.
I was more miserable than ever. I decided to just drop out and move back to Chicago.

My oldest brother took me in. He did not know how much I was drinking and doing drugs. I could not function without them. Before long,  I was sneaking into his room and stealing money. For a while he didn't realize it. I was careful at first but eventually, I would take more things and not just from him. My habit was way to rich for my means. So stealing was my only option. He suspected what I was doing and then finally knew. He kicked me out but let me back in a week later.

I was arrested a few months later for DUI, lost several jobs and kicked out of my brothers house. I was in and out of trouble for the next 3 years. Family wanted nothing to do with me. I tried to get sober and clean a few times but something would always give me an excuse to use. Anytime anything negative happened in my
life, I ran to drugs and alcohol. It was a non stop cycle! I had no friends left. I stopped hanging out with anyone who couldn't help me get my drugs. If I couldn't get that, I would just drink for days. Finally my family told me my Uncle in Florida would offer to help. They just wanted to get rid of me I'm sure.

I then went to live with an Uncle in Florida under the condition that I get sober and clean. He had his friend who was a recovering alcoholic come over and offer to take me to meetings. I got a job with him too that paid very well doing air conditioning servicing. I was more focused on work than the meetings which I still didn't like all that much. I now know there is more to recovery than what I was doing. I started using again. Not a lot at first but  my Uncle found me passed out drunk and high a few times. One time on the side of his house. I was so embarrassed and he was furious. I'm not even his son and I was causing him this much pain.  He gave me one day to get out. I went to a detox and came to a  halfway house in Daytona Beach to try and re-start me life. My depression is still an issue but already in just a month, I have found a job, attend church and follow a recovery program that works. I write out gratitude lists and have great friends here who support me and I support them. I don't have to be alone and I don't have to be miserable.

Spirituality is a big part of my life. I don't feel dead anymore and I look forward to each day. My family is also back in my life and some of my family is planning on visiting me next month. One day at a time.

Mike
Daytona Beach, Florida

Addiction and Recovery - Don't Let Myths Keep You From Getting Sober

I keep hearing the same old myths over and over again. And I can't help but think that others hearing these myths either believe them and give up or use them for excuses to avoid taking action on getting clean and sober.   One of the myths that I hear daily is that you can't get sober for someone else, that you have to want it for yourself, or your recovery efforts won't work. This statement is both true and false.

The idea that you can't get sober for someone else is completely wrong. People do it every day. Many people find their way into treatment centers, counselors' offices, and AA/NA rooms at the urging of someone else. Alcoholics and addicts are commonly coerced into abstinence and early recovery. Wives and husbands lay down bottom lines that they will leave the alcoholic and get a divorce if they don't quit drinking. Spouses are not the only ones doing the coercing. Employers, parents, judges/court system, and children have all influenced alcoholics/addicts into treatment and abstinence.

Initially, these stark raving sober people get that way doing it for someone else. They essentially do whatever is necessary at that moment to keep from losing whatever it is that they fear losing. Their early recovery efforts are "externally motivated".  

A number of the events and characteristics of early abstinence can create the desire for sobriety. With abstinence from alcohol and other drugs, brains and bodies begin to detox. Taking it one day at a time, to do what is necessary to not drink/use that day, the sober alcoholic/addict's thinking begins to clear up. They begin to feel better. As they deal with situations that they used to use drugs over, a self-efficacy about being able to get and stay sober begins to develop. The negative impacts of the disease and the positive benefits of sobriety become obvious. It is now conceivable to the addict, that one's life course can be changed and that they can recover and be happy.  Now they can start to see the benefits of sobriety.

They begin to actually begin to believe that it is possible to have a life without alcohol/drugs, something not conceivable before.   If you can separate from the drug long enough, you can begin to believe that you can get sober. Addicts begin to experience some of the benefits of abstinence early on. Hope happens.  

As addicts in early recovery continue in meetings and begin to identify the negative impact of the using on various aspects of their lives, denial and other defense mechanisms are neutralized. More reality is getting through. Motivation becomes intrinsic. They will eventually be motivated to stay sober because they want their own positive outcomes.  

So it is more accurate to say that people often get sober for someone else, but learn to stay sober for themselves. Desire for recovery is a necessary but insufficient factor in maintaining recovery.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, get the information and help that you need to establish abstinence and gain recovery. My website is a resource for you, with a number of articles on Addiction and Mental Health, Family Dynamics of Addiction and Recovery, Marriage, and other topics. Additional resources available at http://www.peggyferguson.com include a "Links" page, an "Ask Peggy" Column, ebooks for purchase such as "Understanding Cross Addiction to Prevent Relapse", "Preventing Addiction Relapse:Protecting Your Recovery in Post Surgery Pain Days", "The Recovering Person's Guide to Surviving and Thriving Through the Holidays Without Losing Your Sanity or Sobriety", and "The Honey Jar, A Couples' Communication Conversation Starter.

To fill out a survey that will let me know what kinds and types of information you would like to have, go to http://www.peggyferguson.com/ServicesProvided.en.html Ebooks and other educational/informational products are downloadable on that page.

Dr. Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D., LADC, LMFT, is a therapist in private practice providing professional counseling services and consultation in and around Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Alcohol and Drug Dependent To A New Life In Sobriety

Hi my name is David. For most of my life I’ve always felt like something wasn’t right with me. This lasted until my first drink when I was around 15 years old. That ended up being the first of many drunk nights. Once I drank I felt like I was normal and eventually It turned into I only felt normal when I was drinking. This led to many problems in my life and out of fear I stopped drinking and started to substitute the alcohol for drugs. Once this happened my life spiraled out of control.

It led me everywhere I always thought I didn’t want to go. I became homeless multiple times. I had to be admitted into the hospital on multiple occasions. Usually I would put my life back together for a couple of months and then I would just throw it all away again and start the cycle all over again. One day I realized this is the way I was always going to be. I decided I wasn’t going to fight it anymore.

This led me to a binge which god willing I will never have to go thru again. I ended up in a recovery residence for men in Daytona Beach, FL. They explained to me that I didn’t know how to live but if I was willing they would show me a new way of living that would be better than anything I had known before. They were right and I got to see a whole new way of life. One where I can be happy and not have to use drugs and alcohol just to feel normal. Today I get to have a life I never thought was possible.

D.J.

Daytona Beach, Florida

Living Sober

The whole key to living sober is to find a way to push yourself to keep growing in your recovery. This really is the secret to long term success in recovery because the number one enemy is complacency. After we have been sober for a while, avoiding the drink on a daily basis becomes automatic. This is what becomes dangerous because then we end up getting comfortable with our sobriety. We have to find a way to stay on our toes.

One way to do this is to focus on holistic growth. This means that we try to find new areas of our life in which we can grow. For example, you might push yourself to start exercising again, or to go back to college and finish a degree. Or you might try to quit smoking or lose weight. These are all examples of different ways that we can grow in our recovery. Are they critical for staying sober? No, none of them will have a direct impact on your sobriety. However, in the long run, they will all help you in terms of overcoming complacency, because you will constantly be challenging yourself to improve as a person. If you do not find a way to tap into this continuous growth then you run the risk of relapse.

Another way to tap into the secret of long term sobriety is to start working with other recovering alcoholics. This is one of the most powerful things you can do in your recovery because it is like having an automatic level of insurance against relapse. It is very difficult for someone to relapse if they are working with other alcoholics every day. The reason for this is that we help strengthen our own recovery by an immeasurable amount when we help others in recovery. Thus, this is one of the big secrets of living sober. Help others with sobriety and you will help yourself.

If you want to stay sober in the long run then you have to stay humble and remain teachable. There is always new stuff to learn in recovery about how to live a successful life in sobriety and if you are not open to learning new things then you will miss out on the type of information that could prevent you from relapsing some day. This is part of the natural ebb and flow process of living sober. You meet new challenges in sobriety but you also learn new things in order to help you overcome those challenges.

So what is the best route to find success in long term sobriety? 

Here are some suggestions for you to follow:

1) Help other alcoholics on a regular basis. Find a way to reach out that fits your life and your personality.

2) Push yourself to keep growing in recovery. What goals are you working on lately? If you don't have any then you should get some.

3) Remain teachable in recovery. Don't cut yourself off from gaining new knowledge about how to live sober. We are always learning more.

4) Find new paths to explore. Don't limit yourself to growth in one area (such as spiritual growth). Instead, seek to grow in many areas of your life. This will ensure that you do not stagnate in your recovery.

Follow these guidelines and you should stay active in your new life. Really this is the tip of the iceberg and there are many other facets to living sober in recovery.

Patrick Meninga
www.spiritualriver.com

Getting Recovery later in life - Sober in Daytona

I lived a fairly normal early life. Though in retrospect, I had early alcoholic behaviors. I was a popular kid - being good at sports and well liked by girls - but I always enjoyed being alone. I also was a people pleaser and often thought I wasn't good enough, even though to the outside world, I seemed to have it "all together"

I enjoyed alcohol socially and rarely went overboard but even then, I had a capacity to out-drink my friends and had some occasional blackouts. As I progressed through my 20's and 30's, my main motivation was "self". I wanted to accomplish great things, have the perfect family - no flaws.

I began using alcohol (usually wine) and later - prescription pills daily to cope with stress. Most of this dependence happened after I turned 40 - with kids, a house and a business. I felt alone and overwhelmed all the time and my quiet time self medicating was turning out to be my favorite time of the day. I began to neglect my family, our finances and I began to avoid most social situations. The disasters began. First it was possessions (car, money, cashing out of retirement money). I was so dumbed down in my brain from the drugs and alcohol that I lost my ability to process anything.

I suffered more consequences over and over again. Being forced out of my house - with my personal police escort a few times, attempts at living in a few sober houses, DWI, periods of homelessness, hospitals, rehabs and horrible shame and guilt that just got worse and worse. I needed Help.

I had been in and out of recovery several times but I never made it the first priority. I considered recovery and being sober as a punishment. I had no interest in following the program as it's laid out. I always blamed my circumstances. None if it seemed solvable. So why stay sober and miserable? I was a sick guy needing a lot of help.

I knew I had to take advantage of my last chance. I took a bizarre route and found "Solutions By the Sea" in Daytona Beach Florida. I am from the Northeast. I am convinced a higher power got me there. It has allowed me to put my recovery first and work a full program of recovery to re-build my life. I still struggle but with my sober support around me - One Day At A Time, I'm able to put my sobriety first, build my spiritual side and work/help others. I am very blessed and grateful today. If I don't look ahead or dwell on the past - but stay in the moment, I can continue my recovery and feel optimistic about my life.

Andrew H
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Florida Addiction Treatment and Sober Housing

For those struggling with addiction and feel they have no where to turn, we understand and we can help. Our Daytona Beach foundation is here to offer help to those needing alcohol and drug treatment programs, followed by a structured and safe sober residence. We can help people nationwide. 

Finding the right treatment program can be challenging. Many in need can't find the right program or they cannot afford one. Our foundation offers scholarship options to those who qualify. We can be your resource to finding the right addiction treatment and provide choices within our Daytona area Sober House network for your transition into a Sober Way Of Life.

Some of The Sober and Recovery Services We Provide Include:

• Food
• Clothing
• Housing and Furniture
• Sponsorship 
• AA Meetings with Speakers

We are constantly offering and developing new programs to make your recovery experience as successful as possible.

Our Daytona Beach Florida Program is available for anyone seeking help from addiction issues - whether it is alcohol or other drugs. We partner with many local and national businesses.

Feel free to post any question, need or comment here or you may reach us by phone or email.