The use of the phrase "beat addiction" got me thinking and researching. Bear with me.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines recovery, “As a process of change where individuals work to improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and reach their full potential.”
Recovery is supported by four main areas: health, home, purpose, and community.
Health involves managing symptoms and making healthy choices.
Home means having a stable and safe place to live.
Purpose includes engaging in meaningful daily activities, like work or school.
Community refers to having relationships and support systems that provide love, hope, and encouragement.
SAMHSA also outlines 10 guiding principles of recovery. Hope is the foundation of recovery. The process is person-driven, meaning individuals take the lead in shaping their own path. There are many ways to recover, and no single approach works for everyone. Recovery is holistic—it involves the whole person, including mind, body, spirit, and surroundings. Peer support, where people with similar experiences help each other, is an important part of the process. Recovery also recognizes the impact of trauma and works to address it. It focuses on individual strengths and the importance of taking responsibility. Culture plays a key role, as each person’s background, values, and traditions influence their recovery. Supportive relationships are vital, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect throughout their journey.
Notably, nowhere in this definition does it say a person will “beat” addiction. Rather, it emphasizes ongoing growth, healing, and managing life in a way that supports well-being and personal goals.
A ton of great thoughts and personal experiences have been shared, @sisyphus, @surechamp, @diverdown1, @az53, and many others on this thread. Especially for those who have shared they have long bouts of sobriety, @fletchette (30 years), @joiful (33 years), @rocksology (19 years), @dfb (4 years), @trooperdogg1960 (4 years), I'd like to ask:
What are your thoughts and experiences with the four main areas, or 10 guided principles?
I know you did not specifically ask me, but I would like to share. I have 7+ years sober. I found that community, specifically AA helped more than anything in the beginning. It is a group of people that understand what I have and am experiencing and they provide solutions. My family is very supportive of my being sober as I put them through decades of worry and fear. They are not alcoholics, however there are certain situations that help them relate to certain aspects of alcoholism. Diabetes for example or impulsive spending. Staying busy is also something that is helpful. Boredom, for an alcoholic or addict in my experience, allows my mind to wander and spin. If I am busy, I tend not to think about the negative. Another extremely helpful aspect of staying in recovery and sober is being mindful and staying present. One day at a time (is all we have anyway) is key. Allowing my thoughts to wander into future events and become fearful or anxious is not healthy. If I remind myself that today is Thursday and all I have to do is Thursday, I remain more present and can do the tasks in front of me today. I have been lucky (this time, as I have tried to get sober for years) that I have not had a craving. I have had some hopeless feelings. I learned about gratitude in AA. What am I grateful for today. I am grateful to be sober, have a place to live, food, a car, my dogs and cats, people that care about me. I find that gratitude lifts me out of wallowing in the negative. I have had so many traumatic things happen in the last 3 years. I have not had to pick up a drink or drug. If I ever think about doing that, I play the tape forward in my mind. I know that if I play that tape, which always winds up the same (miserable merry go round of addiction) it helps.
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The use of the phrase "beat addiction" got me thinking and researching. Bear with me.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines recovery, “As a process of change where individuals work to improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and reach their full potential.”
Recovery is supported by four main areas: health, home, purpose, and community.
Health involves managing symptoms and making healthy choices.
Home means having a stable and safe place to live.
Purpose includes engaging in meaningful daily activities, like work or school.
Community refers to having relationships and support systems that provide love, hope, and encouragement.
SAMHSA also outlines 10 guiding principles of recovery. Hope is the foundation of recovery. The process is person-driven, meaning individuals take the lead in shaping their own path. There are many ways to recover, and no single approach works for everyone. Recovery is holistic—it involves the whole person, including mind, body, spirit, and surroundings. Peer support, where people with similar experiences help each other, is an important part of the process. Recovery also recognizes the impact of trauma and works to address it. It focuses on individual strengths and the importance of taking responsibility. Culture plays a key role, as each person’s background, values, and traditions influence their recovery. Supportive relationships are vital, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect throughout their journey.
SAMSHA- https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep12-recdef.pdf
Notably, nowhere in this definition does it say a person will “beat” addiction. Rather, it emphasizes ongoing growth, healing, and managing life in a way that supports well-being and personal goals.
A ton of great thoughts and personal experiences have been shared, @sisyphus, @surechamp, @diverdown1, @az53, and many others on this thread. Especially for those who have shared they have long bouts of sobriety, @fletchette (30 years), @joiful (33 years), @rocksology (19 years), @dfb (4 years), @trooperdogg1960 (4 years), I'd like to ask:
What are your thoughts and experiences with the four main areas, or 10 guided principles?
42 years straight line sobriety will respond to you in a few.
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1 ReactionI know you did not specifically ask me, but I would like to share. I have 7+ years sober. I found that community, specifically AA helped more than anything in the beginning. It is a group of people that understand what I have and am experiencing and they provide solutions. My family is very supportive of my being sober as I put them through decades of worry and fear. They are not alcoholics, however there are certain situations that help them relate to certain aspects of alcoholism. Diabetes for example or impulsive spending. Staying busy is also something that is helpful. Boredom, for an alcoholic or addict in my experience, allows my mind to wander and spin. If I am busy, I tend not to think about the negative. Another extremely helpful aspect of staying in recovery and sober is being mindful and staying present. One day at a time (is all we have anyway) is key. Allowing my thoughts to wander into future events and become fearful or anxious is not healthy. If I remind myself that today is Thursday and all I have to do is Thursday, I remain more present and can do the tasks in front of me today. I have been lucky (this time, as I have tried to get sober for years) that I have not had a craving. I have had some hopeless feelings. I learned about gratitude in AA. What am I grateful for today. I am grateful to be sober, have a place to live, food, a car, my dogs and cats, people that care about me. I find that gratitude lifts me out of wallowing in the negative. I have had so many traumatic things happen in the last 3 years. I have not had to pick up a drink or drug. If I ever think about doing that, I play the tape forward in my mind. I know that if I play that tape, which always winds up the same (miserable merry go round of addiction) it helps.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
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