| Becoming abstinent and entering recovery or sobriety | | | | and meaningful life without the need for drugs and/or |
| aer two distinct processes. | | | | alcohol and without their use. There is movement from |
| Entering and growing in recovery or working on | | | | a life of dependence, destruction, and being unfulfilled to |
| sobriety is much different than abstinence, simply | | | | one of emotional, physical and spiritual health. Sobriety |
| stopping the use of drugs and alcohol. Becoming sober | | | | can be described as a way of life that involves healthy |
| is a process, not an event. Some people enter | | | | relationships, communication, and personal growth. |
| treatment, complete it and believe they are done; that | | | | Entering recovery is about learning and refining a new |
| is no so. | | | | set of sober living skills. |
| Achieving sobriety and growing in recovery is a | | | | Underlying fundamental beliefs of sobriety. |
| progressive, developmental process. There are phases | | | | There are some fundamental principles that most |
| of recovery which are moved through, each with its | | | | would agree need to be identified, processed and |
| unique tasks, lessons and skills to be acquired. The first | | | | accepted, in order to form a firm foundation in |
| building block of sobriety, the cornerstone in fact, is | | | | recovery. Here they are: |
| achieving abstinence. Here is what is meant by | | | | 1. Sobriety is a process, not an event; in fact, it is a |
| abstinence: | | | | lifelong process that is not easy but definitely possible. |
| Abstinence - | | | | 2. One is never at a standstill; you are either moving |
| Becoming abstinent, stopping the use of all mood | | | | away from a drink or drug or closer, your actions |
| altering drugs, is the necessary first task that must be | | | | determine your direction. |
| accomplished in working toward a life in recovery. | | | | 3. Complete abstinence + growth in recovery = |
| However, it is not by itself sobriety. It is like paying the | | | | sobriety |
| admission fee at the amusement park, not the | | | | 4. Sobriety is a pro-active program. A thought is just a |
| attractions themselves. Abstinence is an all or nothing | | | | thought, nothing happens unless you take action. Simple |
| proposition, either you have quit absolutely, or not. To | | | | intellectual acceptance is not enough. |
| enter into sobriety requires total abstinenceof all mood | | | | 5. There are underlying principles of recovery that |
| altering substances. This is the first building block of | | | | must be learned, the first is rigorous personal honesty |
| sobriety. | | | | and integrity. |
| Sobriety - | | | | This is only the briefest of introductions, there is much |
| Sobriety can be described as living a full, rewarding | | | | more to be learned. |