So how does Recovery from Addiction start?
Recovery from addiction becomes possible when you start to see the problem for what it is and as arising from within. Such insight requires a weakened moment of denial and blame.

Denial is most likely to be challenged when you are faced with some untoward consequences of drug use. This is sometimes referred to as a bottom - a moment of forced and painful insight.

“I believed that to live my life I had to use.

I could see no other way. I expected to live my life as an addict and to die in addiction.

Turns out my bottom was to wake up on a morning that I should have been dead. Something changed inside me that morning.

I figured there was some reason for me to still be here. I decided to find out what it was.”

The extent of denial is one indication of how sick a person is in their addiction. It is measured by how bad things have to get before the problem of addiction is seen and accepted.

“I woke up in jail and figured that was my bottom. But I needed a few more kicks at the can. Things can always get worse. I proved that.”

Some will realize a problem and accept help after a first problem from their drug use - a complaint at work or a failed year at school. Some will spend time in jail or hospital, but still persist in denial. Others die in denial.

Insight into addiction offers opportunity for recovery. Many in recovery have a story of their bottom - a painful moment of realizing that they could not continue to use.

Unfortunately, many are so deep in addiction and/or physical dependence that they resign themselves to a life of addiction.

Those in deep opiate addiction may wish to stop using, but be unable to do so for fear of severe withdrawal symptoms. Others stop using for a while, but relapse to drug use again and again.

Methadone Maintenance Treatment offers a straight way out of the downward spiral of deep opiate addiction.