By
Randy Brazzel MA, LPC, LMFT
Recovery is a process that takes time and patience. While the early stages of recovery from addictions may feel like a sprint, the long term process of recovery is more like a marathon. This is true not only for the person in recovery, but also for the family. Listed below are steps that are useful during the early process of recovery.
- Get the drugs and alcohol out of the house.
- Develop a network of people that support your recovery.
- Make maintaining sobriety easier by eliminating negative influences and temptations.
- Fight the temptation to seek immediate relief or immediate gratification.
- Manage expectations (both your own and those of others around you).
- Be honest with yourself about your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
- Be honest with others about your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
- Develop a structure and a plan of action to maintain sobriety and then follow the plan.
- Take it one day at a time.
- Keep it simple.
Listed below are some of the resources that are available that support recovery.
- Al-Anon 713-683-7277
- Alateen 713-683-7227
- Alcoholics Anonymous 713-686-6300
- Cocaine Anonymous 713-668-6822
- Gamblers Anonymous 713-684-6654
- Narcotics Anonymous 713-661-4200
- Sex Addicts Anonymous 800-477-8191
- Cornerstone Recovery 713-528-6720