Addiction is a disease of the mind and of the body. Addicts and alcoholics need to be in a safe and structured environment where they can learn to function without the use of drugs and alcohol. The mental obsession and the phenomenon of craving can be overwhelming, even for the strongest of will. The best case scenario, is that the addict be in a safe place where they can learn about the problem of addiction, the solution to addiction, and the program of action to overcome addiction.
A group of people, sometimes led by a therapist, who provide each other moral support, information, and advice on problems relating to some shared characteristic or experience.
Treatment and recovery are interconnected, but not the same. As the NIDA Principles of Drug Addiction indicate, treatment is an important component to the recovery process. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), “Treatment” is defined as in–or outpatient services that focus on initiating and maintaining an individual’ recovery from alcohol or drug abuse and on preventing relapse. Treatment can include detoxification, group or individual counseling, rehabilitation and the use of methadone or other prescription medications. It also can involve drug or alcohol education and self–help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Quite often, treatment is considered the “Light at the end of the tunnel” for those afflicted with substance abuse addiction. Unlike addiction itself, treatment is a positive process, involving a variety of support systems that systematically help lead individuals to successful, fulfilling lives without drugs and/or alcohol.
Individuals who have participated and completed treatment programs are considered to be “In recovery”. Thus, recovery is recognized as? “An ongoing process of improvement–biologically, psychologically, socially and spiritually–while attempting to maintain abstinence from alcohol and other drugs”. (Strawn, Julie, WIN, “Substance Abuse Welfare Reform Policy”, Issue Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1/7/97. p.3) Furthermore, individuals can be forced into treatment, but cannot be forced into recovery. Recovery from alcohol and other drug abuse is a voluntary process, and a strategy to reach recovery should include treatment. Therefore, treatment is not a long–term solution to alcohol and other drug addiction, but a commitment to recovery is. In addition, some people become “Clean and sober” solely through continuous participation in 12–step programs, instead of through treatment. They, too, consider themselves “In recovery”.
