Alcoholics Recovery

Why do some drug addicts and alcoholics keep relapsing, while other people seem to embrace recovery and start living a successful, drug-free life again? The question confounds us all, and has been discussed at great lengths. Here are some of the reasons that we have found that people continue to fail:

Some addicts and alcoholics just aren’t ready to quit

The younger you are, the harder it is to make the commitment to quit using drugs and alcohol. This is because the typical addict mind still equates drug use and getting high with “having fun.” It can take several years to realize that beating your head against a wall with drug and alcohol addiction is no longer fun, but is instead ruining your life. People struggle with addiction for years in complete misery before they realize that “it isn’t fun anymore.” What might seem obvious to an outsider is very difficult for the addict to grasp, because they are right in the thick of it. This is called denial. We hang on to the few good memories we have of “having fun” with drugs and alcohol and we block out the bad memories.

Some addicts and alcoholics are caught in a bad environment

This might sound like an excuse, but it can be very true for some. If an addict lives in an unhealthy situation that has constant drug and alcohol use, then getting clean is going to be very difficult indeed. For these folks, long term treatment centers might be the best option, but some people are not in a position to go to one (for example, they might have children to take care of).

Some addicts and alcoholics do not focus on spiritual growth

It can seem a bit counter-intuitive, but focusing on spiritual growth is one of the big keys to recovery. Any addict or alcoholic that doesn’t “get it” is in danger of relapsing, and it is only through a spiritual awakening that a person can enjoy a long term change in themselves. This has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with spiritual growth. Meaning, a complete change in personality–one that is great enough to overcome the selfishness of drug seeking behavior. This is the key to lasting recovery.