I had intended for this to be a post about Washington, DC, but I changed my mind and decided to write it for everyone and everyone who may need a little assistance.
(Try that link if you need assistance locating alcoholic rehabilitation options in the DC Metro region.)
Addiction has a slew of negative effects, and it may seem difficult to break free from the cycle of despair and devastation. There are a plethora of reasons why individuals resort to drugs and alcohol, but for others, those means of escapism become the only way they can function.
Alcohol consumption harms one's capacity to participate in social groups and society in general. Addiction is often passed down through families, and in certain instances, it is a taught habit from previous generations.
Whatever the cause of addiction, the 12 step program has enabled vast numbers of individuals all over the globe to improve their lives and restore lost or broken relationships. It takes bravery and fortitude to learn to manage and live with an addiction.
Finding a support group of individuals who understand the trauma and agony of addiction may aid in the load-sharing process.
There are 12 distinct stages to follow, and although taking the first step may seem intimidating, it is the beginning of the road to putting your life back on track.
Step 1: We acknowledged that we were helpless in the face of booze or drugs and that our lives had spiraled out of control.
Understanding and acknowledging that you have a problem that you can't solve on your own is the first step toward realizing that things need to change and that any change must come from inside. Admitting this to yourself is the first step in a personal battle to reintegrate into society and realize that the negative consequences of resorting to alcohol far exceed any potential benefits.
This step is about discovering the motivation you need to battle addiction and remain clean, while also acknowledging that you will need outside assistance. This will be different for each person, but the goal is to get to the root of what will drive and inspire you to remain clean every day.
That greater force does not have to be ‘God... it is unique to each individual. It may very well be the inner power that has been buried for so long under layers and layers of egocentric thinking brought on by drug addiction.
Many people get themselves into serious trouble with this one; they think that if they don't discover "God," they won't be able to complete the 12 steps at all, or worse, they'll lose their sobriety.
Find a greater power inside yourself, God, the Universal energy, the force of creation, Mother Nature, or anything else. Take a look at the growing trees, the beautiful sky, a cool wind on a hot day... and discover it there,
This stage is letting go of one's willpower and embracing spirituality and connecting with a higher force. Taking this risk is a brave move since it enables you to share your healing journey with someone other than your thoughts.
As previously said, this is a matter of faith. The problem is if you don't like the concept of "God," consider this: "How is that working for me so far?" Believe in your inner God-self (the one who stopped you from harming others), and that will enough.
This is a soul-searching activity in which you must be honest with yourself about your flaws and genuine character traits. Recognizing these flaws enables you to work through and fix them, allowing you to acquire new behaviors and approaches to circumstances as they occur. It's also an activity that enables you to uncover your strengths, which will aid you in making the necessary adjustments.
These first four stages may be emotionally difficult because you may feel like a failure for not seeing the path back sooner, but they begin to reclaim the everyday control you had given up to alcohol.
It's not simple to break free from addiction. The 12 Step program is one of the most popular and effective methods for dealing with and empowering individuals to face their addiction after they've chosen to recover and receive the assistance they need. The method is based on spiritual concepts that emphasize surrender, willingness, trust, and honesty as essential components. These are the foundational concepts for healing.
Confession is a term used to describe this stage, which is about conquering fear. This phase is divided into three sections. The first step is to openly and honestly admit to yourself any previous wrongdoings that you may feel embarrassed of. It's also a self-assessment. By admitting to yourself, you are removing your ego as well as the anxiety of acknowledging what you have done throughout your addiction.
The next step is to confess your sins to God. Addicts are more prone to believe they are unworthy of a connection with God or a greater purpose. You become receptive to acceptance and love by admitting and accepting God into your heart, which restores your faith and also cements your worth as a person.
Finally, you must confess to someone else. Getting outside assistance is critical for ending the addiction cycle. The individual to whom you choose to confess should be aware of the healing process. This individual will most likely become your sponsor during your rehabilitation.
You are requesting and accepting assistance at this stage. Angels, deceased family members, and demi-Gods, among others, are said to be able to assist us only if we ask for it – now is the moment to ask.
You'll have to pray to your 'God' or a higher force to have the character characteristics that lead you down the road of addiction removed. It's very effective, and it's rather relaxing.
This is a discussion you should have with your sponsor as well. Allow yourself to be receptive to what they may say in response since this will increase your chances of making improvements.
The goal of this stage is to learn and comprehend humility. Pride is a tough feeling to understand and manage. Accepting your flaws and being humble in front of God or a higher power will result in more satisfying relationships with others.
This may also be interpreted as... it's that easy. Why not give it a shot? Who will be the first to know?
If I believed it would work, I'd pray to a half-fox, half-muskrat god. Who cares what your previous convictions were? What benefit did those beliefs provide you?
Making a list of people you've harmed in the past is one of the most difficult tasks to do. This will push you to face other people's sentiments and emotions. It entails taking a hard look at the effect your addiction has had on those individuals, as well as the harm it has caused them. This stage helps you to accept personal responsibility for your behavior and to accept your addiction and its consequences.
Working to overcome any addiction is a difficult task that takes varying amounts of time for different people. Having the proper mindset and approach to rehabilitation can improve your chances of success on the path to recovery.
After getting this far, many individuals find step 9 (cheat sheet PDF) to be the most challenging and unpleasant. The individuals on the list from step 8 are split into four groups. The first group of individuals will be those with whom you may make complete apologies as soon as you are sober and in control. The second group will be individuals who can make some kind of apologies, but not in full, since this may do more damage than good. The third group of individuals will be those for whom a full recovery is required before any kind of reparation can be done. The last set is a list of individuals for whom there is no possibility to repair any harm, such as those who have died. It's just as essential to acknowledge this final group of individuals as it is to accept responsibility for your acts and learn to forgive yourself.
This step's primary goal is to get forgiveness from people you've harmed, as well as forgiveness from those who may have hurt you because they couldn't deal with your addiction.
This stage requires you to be aware of your actions and the impact they will have on others. For example, how you react to a scenario where you may have been furious in the past and taking the time to discover a different strategy that would result in a more positive end. Of all, we're all human and make errors, so being honest and admitting when you've made a mistake or are in the wrong is crucial. This is a lifelong process of self-evaluation that you must integrate into your daily routine.
Reaching out to God or a greater purpose helps you to see that you are part of a larger plan. This phase may be accomplished by praying or meditating and opening your heart to God. Accepting that things don't happen by accident enables you to seek direction and show gratitude for the wonderful things in your life.
It's an incredible achievement to be able to share your stories while also recovering from addiction. You may now live a sober life and find pleasure in everything. It's gratifying to assist others on their path to recovery since you'll now understand the process and how much work and effort it takes to achieve sober.
Step 13: Just joking, but if this article has helped you in any way, it has done its job well, and I am one happy blogger.
As previously mentioned, this article was originally intended to serve as a guide to locating alcoholic recovery options in the DC Metro region, but I chose to change that to broaden its reach.
If you've ever wondered what goes on at an AA meeting, you're not alone. Take a look at this article from the BBC.
There are so many great resources for those that need it in and around the DC Metro Area. Here are just a few of my favorites.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - www.ncadd.org
SAMHSA, US Department of Health and Human Services - www.samhsa.gov
Recovery Centers
Encore Recovery Center - https://encorerecovery.com/
Mental Health
Department of Behavioral Health- https://dbh.dc.gov/service/emergency-psychiatric-services