| For many people whose alcoholism has progressed to | | | | important parts of recovery, in order to have the best |
| the extent that they have lost control over not only | | | | possible chance at recovery being successful the |
| their drinking but themselves and their lives, it is often | | | | person should keep a couple of other factors in mind. |
| necessary to get a number of different types of help. | | | | One is that whether or not he will be successful |
| In many cases, this means the very first phase of their | | | | depends very much on him; and also, he cannot |
| recovery is to spend time in a detoxification facility. | | | | reasonably expect his meetings to substitute for or |
| Commonly known as a "detox," the purpose of such a | | | | replace the other types of help that he may need on |
| facility is to allow the person a short period of time to | | | | an individual basis. For example, meetings are not a |
| get the alcohol out of his system. | | | | replacement for mental health counseling, medical |
| Since a detox facility only serves to rid the system of | | | | assistance, or other forms of assistance that he |
| the immediate presence of alcohol, the person may | | | | specifically needs. |
| next be advised to have a longer stayin a rehabilitation | | | | Too many people sabotage their recovery, and some |
| facility. While in a rehabilitation facility the person's | | | | even relapse, because they are given the mistaken |
| system has the chance to heal from the alcohol, and, | | | | impression that their sponsors, meetings, and fellow |
| equally important, to begin to regain the strength of | | | | Alcoholics Anonymous members can meet these |
| body and clarity of mind. A rehabilitation facility usually | | | | needs and provide these services, which not only is |
| includes nutritious foods, exercise, recreation, and | | | | not the case but is also stressed as such in the Big |
| counseling. The rehabilitation facility is also often the | | | | Book. Twelve-Step meetings are but one part in |
| alcoholic's first introduction to the Alcoholics | | | | recovery from alcohol abuse; if the individual desires |
| Anonymous Twelve-Step Program. Participation in the | | | | the best chance that recovery has to offer, he will not |
| program is required, and usually closely monitored. | | | | neglect the other parts which are relevant to him. |
| When a person leaves a rehabilitation facility, he is | | | | When a person has the need of treatment for alcohol |
| advised very strongly to continue attending Alcoholics | | | | abuse, his body, mind, life, and surroundings have been |
| Anonymous meetings. The phrase "ninety meetings in | | | | suffering greatly from his alcoholism. Each part of |
| ninety days" is often used to underscore the | | | | treatment has an important role in the person's chance |
| importance of attending at least one meeting each | | | | for recovery; and in order to make the most of that |
| day. He will also be advised to get a Sponsor, whose | | | | chance, all that is required of the individual is for him to |
| purpose is to guide him through what he needs to do in | | | | realize that recovery is a process which includes hard |
| the program. | | | | work, but also that in the end the results will most |
| While attending meetings and doing stepwork are | | | | definitely be well worth it. |