Get Started - and Stay At It - from the Health and Healing Series at SupportNet.ca - Resources for Your Recovery.

Recovery is learning to enjoy life - without the use of alcohol or drugs that alter mind or mood.

It is treatment for the condition of addiction - an approach to the challenges of life - and a path to personal growth.

Recovery requires us to learn - about the true nature of addiction.

It may be personalized - but it has its necessary Principles and its Ways.

The Principles of Recovery provide direction - to the choices that we face each day.

The Ways of Recovery provide us with tools - that help us to heal - and to enjoy life on life’s terms.

This Learning Seminar encourages you to Get Started in healthier ways -  

And to Stay At It - in pursuit of your goal.

What You Need to Know

A common challenge to recovery is to feel stuck - to have difficulty in getting on with the things that we know we are best to do.

There seem to be many parts to the cause of this problem.

Addiction pulls us this way and that.

It disconnects us from our inner direction - gives its needs priority - and distracts us from whatever else.

At the same time - the challenges of early recovery can seem overwhelming.

Common reactions are to avoid - or to rush in with old ways - to do too much too soon - trying to make up for the past.

Our best efforts are frustrated by problems with concentration and memory - sensitivity to stress and irritable feelings. 

We are easily distracted - and used to being pulled aside from our goals.

There are many reasons why our best intentions - do not result in lasting action.

The pull to use and fear of failure - pride - with its unwillingness to ask for help - and denial - of the need to find new ways.

But recovery offers direction - to find our way through these issues - and in getting on with what needs to be done.

Other Ways

Acceptance of things as they are right now - is always the first step in a new direction.

The habits that we learned in addiction - and the symptoms of Post Acute Withdrawal - are not going to disappear today just because we wish it so.

Acceptance of the issues that we face - is a first step in rising above their challenge.

Several traditional phrases remind us to of the ways to get our selves going.

Keep It Simple - First Things First - One Step at a Time.

These phrases counteract our tendency to complicate issues - to expect too much - or to take on too much too soon.

The ways of recovery are simple - and Progress not Perfection is required.

It is our head that makes life complicated - with its assumptions, grand plans and expectations.

Messages from the heart are clear cut truths - and more to the point of what is important to health.

Write down the one thing most important for you to do.

Consider the first step that’s required - and write this down also.

Be realistic - specific - and Keep It Simple. The first step must be something possible for you to accomplish in one day.

We would all like to be better fit. But a first step in that direction may be to take a walk around the block once today.

Do so to get started - and then take your walk again tomorrow. Continue to do so until it is a part of your daily routine.

Look to the routine of your day. It is difficult to take on a new challenge - when the rest of our life is in disarray.

If you do not yet have one - take time to consider your Personal Program of Recovery.

This may be the best place to start in the direction of your new goals. Write a simple program - and then follow it.

Motivation is worn away - when we do not feel well.

Learn the ways to care for your self - and to find some structure to your day.

Don’t let your self get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired - and you will find your self better able to get on with other things.

Connect with others in recovery - and who have similar goals to yours.

Talk with them - listen to their feedback - and accept their support.

To Do What I Say - and to Say What I Do is a simple teaching of recovery.

Surround your self with others who will encourage your efforts.

And always remember - One Day At a Time.

Set a simple goal - that you can accomplish today.

Write it down - share it with others - and follow it through.

Let go of worry about what you will do tomorrow.

Do what you need to do today - and tomorrow will always be an better day.

In Summary

A common challenge to recovery is to feel stuck - to not get things done or to accomplish what it is that we want to do.

Set a simple goal - that you can accomplish today. Write it down - share it with others - and follow it through.

To Do What I Say - and to Say What I Do is a simple teaching of recovery - and that helps us to meet our goals One Day At a Time.

You have now reached the end of Get Started - and Stay At It.

Look for this and other Learning Seminars at www.SupportNet.ca - Resources for Your Recovery.