Recovery begins with not drinking or doing drugs; often it takes detoxifying then rehabilitation to reach this point. Staying completely clean of any psychoactive substances is the birth of recovery.

Many addicts and alcoholics have what’s called built-in forgetters, which often causes an addict to pick up and use again after getting clean. This concept or condition causes a recovered individual to minimize or be oblivious to the severity of taking drugs. Consequently, despite past experiences of repeated problems and suffering resulting from substance abuse the addict is still fooled into thinking that he or she can use drugs or alcohol without repercussions. Addicts may get away with this for awhile and some longer than others, but, drug addiction and alcoholism are progressive disorders, so eventually they ends up at same shattered place, generally much worst than before. There are some unfortunates who dive right back in knowing this and are not detoured. Many drug treatment centers teach methods for handling these issues and provide clients with strategies to avoid such dangers.

Recovery is filled with many challenges and obstacles by having knowledge of dos and don’ts and adhering to them is being safe and you can avoid many pitfalls.

Never forget who you are and that you have a disease, disorder or very addictive personality, however you like to categorize it, you have proven mind-altering substances bring you down big-time! Many people need 2 to 3 Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings daily just to keep reminded. Do what ever it takes, because if you forget (which us addicts tend to do) as a dog returns to his vomit you’ll pick up and use drugs again. Remember lots of us have a built-in forgetter or very short memory for past stupidity.

Never substitute one drug for another. Many have tried this and failed, for instance a heroin addict gets off of heroin and thinks if he only drinks alcohol he’ll be ok. Well alcohol as other drugs does lower inhibitions and when drinking if another drug is presented he will surely accept. With an addict one drug inevitably leads to another no- matter-how-you-slice-it.

One day at a time As they say in Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s been proven helpful to brake down recovery into segment, so do not overwhelm yourself with quitting for years or months ahead of time just don’t use today. At first it may be hour by hour but it gets easier if you don’t give up. However, try not to dwell on it, change your habits get involve with other no drug using activities.

Regular Exercise has been proven to significantly reduce anxiety, depression and stress. Recovering from drugs and alcohol causes these in psychological conditions in abundance. Also, exercise releases brain-chemicals (neurotransmitters) or opiate receptors that’ll have you feeling wellbeing naturally without harmful side effects. See a physician first if you haven’t exercise for awhile to be put on a safe workout routine.

Avoiding triggers or situations. Often certain people, places and things can trigger or
re-stimulate drug cravings. A craving for a drug can be as powerful as hunger or thirst so these situations should definitely be avoided. You should change your daily operating basis. You should avoid old drug-scoring and drug-using areas altogether whenever possible. Do not test the waters by driving through that neighborhood it could eventually prove to be a snare. Stay away from bars! If you hang out there enough you’ll end up drinking. Stay away from people who use or ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends that could lead there. Rearrange your house to not remind you of drinking or drugging. Relocate altogether if need be.

New habits and hobbies: Finding other things to occupy your time. For example here are just a few ideas exercising/aerobics or taking walks or reading. Take up positive old or new hobbies such as fishing, sports, sailing, surfing, sail-boarding, rent a boat, crossword puzzles, arts and crafts, dancing, hiking, martial arts, guitar/music, meditation, yoga, tai chi, cards, singing, opera, 12 step meetings or bird watching. Take class or course on something that interest you. Do not isolate, Be a tourist in your own town; go to stands or places that provide tourists with information pamphlets on fun and interesting activities. Get a stack and start doing stuff. Because, Procrastination and laziness or idle time is not your friend, so, get going and get involved you’ll be happy you did.

Use the serenity prayer:  GOD--Grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. This prayer can be applied to any part of your life. We addicts tend to sweat the small things; little stuff out of our control can send us into anger or rage and ultimately relapse. Therefore keep this prayer close at all times.

There will be times when an ex-chemically-dependent person feels that everything in life sucks and is hopeless. A recovering individual experiencing this dilution may not care about anything during such a period, even about consequences of taking addictive substances. This condition can manifest itself without warning. Such a phenomenon usually feels like anger/depression and is characteristically, extremely mundane. If this circumstance occurs, frequently all of the recovery tools a recovered-addict learned can seem futile or obsolete and be unwanted and disregarded. Sufferers of this state of mind habitually focus on negative aspects of life; and mostly have fantasies related to abusing drugs or boozing to get high. Moreover, thoughts often tell him or her, why stay sober, for what reasons should I not score drugs? Also, having an overwhelming desire to say screw-it and get high on alcohol or drugs is a reality, thus, self-medicating actually seem like the solution to this infliction. It’s in these varied moments strength is essential and understanding that a wrong decision may strip a soberly man or woman of their life or at best they will make individuals weak again. In this psychological condition the person might not even care about consequences; easily convincing themselves to get their drug of choice. THEY MUST NOT ACT ON IT!! Keep putting it off. They need to call a sponsor, but, may not be willing to, because, they don’t want to be talked out of it. That’s an example of how powerful this disease can be. Get a sponsor; make the call before you act on this deceitful compulsion and always be prepared!!