People can argue recovery methods until the cows come home but IMO there are some universal truths about people that get and stay sober. Here are some of the things I have observed:
- Come to the realization that we just cannot drink and that total abstinence from all mind altering substances is the only path.
- Believe that addiction is a cronic condition which we never get over. We learn how to deal with it but we are never normal again
- Be willing to change anything if it keeps us on the path of not drinking.
- Remove people, places, and things in our lives that move us away from sobriety
- Listen to and do what people with long term soberiety do
- Have a comprehensive plan that addresses how we are going to stay sober
- Educate ourselves on addiction and recovery
- Get rid of the baggage from the past. This may require a professional or some type of recovery program. In some cases people manage to do this on their own but it is difficult.
- Have a network of people that you can talk to preferably people in recovery
- Develop a full and meaningful life that does not include alcohol. Develop sober or normal drinking friends
- Learn how to go outside of ourselves and make the world a better place
- Patience and understanding. This is a life time of change and things do not get better in a day nor will the world ever be the way we want it to be
- Forgiveness of ourselves and others
Other items that are recovery universals?