Change is a Lifelong Process

In order to recover, you have to change. Change can seem scary or even overwhelming. Recovery will give you a new life, but first you have to change. You’ll have to change your perspective, how you cope, and even your view of self. Do your best not to worry. Instead, take life one day and one step at a time.

You can’t change overnight. Try to remember that it’s okay not to be perfect. You will experience ups and downs in your recovery. This does not mean that you will relapse. If you have an off day, where things just don’t seem to be going right, give yourself a break. The truth is that you’ll be changing forever.

When you begin recovery, you’ll have a lot to work through. Addiction is essentially a coping skill, albeit not a positive one. The longer you stay sober, the more you will learn how to use positive coping skills. Instead of using alcohol and drugs, you’ll start going to meetings and call sober friends when you need to cope.

Life is a journey. Where you start is not where you end up, as long as your perspective changes. Sobriety also gets easier with time. Remember, when you first get sober, you lack the tools you need to withstand cravings. Addiction treatment, 12 step groups, and sober support are where you learn the tools to withstand active addiction.

If you decide to utilize the 12 step program, the steps will help you get rid of character defects. Steps 8 and 9 actually have you make a list of those you may have wronged and make amends. This process is a huge change. These steps teach you how to take responsibility for past actions. These steps also help you identify areas that you want to change. Active addiction and recovery is not only about not using drugs and alcohol. Recovery is about personal growth and change.

Change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. All you have is today. Stay in the moment and take your recovery one day at a time.

Hired Power understands addiction treatment. Hired Power uses innovative approaches to help you get and stay sober.  If you want to learn more about the process of change in recovery, call Hired Power today at 714-559-3919. Hired Power is the expert you need to help you take the first steps in your recovery journey.