Thursday, October 13, 2011

How to Approach Recovery from Addiction, Co-occurring Disorders and Isolation

By Dr. Kim Dennis, Medical Director of Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center as published on Health Blog on DailyStrength.org
August 26, 2011

In generations past, the word recovery usually referred to a highly sterile room in a hospital where people went immediately after surgery to stabilize. Today, recovery has taken on a whole new meaning. Millions of people are in recovery from everything from drugs and alcohol to eating disorders, gambling, compulsive spending, sex and love addictions, and codependency.

If you are reading these words, you too, are probably in recovery. As with many things in life, there is the good news and the bad news. The bad news is that you do have a progressive, chronic and potentially fatal disease. However, the good and far more relevant news is that addiction is eminently treatable and complete and lasting recovery is absolutely possible.

Getting Connection and Support

We are designed to be social, emotional and spiritual beings. All of us need to be connected to others. Addiction is antithetical to this concept; the deeper the addiction to food, substances, self-injurious behavior, exercise, the greater the isolation. Recovery is the process of returning back to life from the physical, social, emotional and spiritual death of addiction.

Recovery entails emerging from the isolation to a new and abundant life, firmly connected to self, others, and spirituality. This will provide the help and support needed to maintain recovery on a daily basis. As an extension of this need for social support, it is important to go to 12 step meetings, get a sponsor, work the steps and remain in relationship with others in long-term recovery....finish reading article

No comments: