Their stint in treatment, rather than a means to recovery, appears to be a career boost or means for attention. Thus, many people think of recovery as an attempt – usually followed by failure – to get clean and sober.
Questions are raised about the real meaning of recovery. Does successful recovery require a stint in a treatment facility? Is a life spent with involvement in an AA 12-step program necessary for a recovering addict to remain “in recovery?” What about the heroin addict who has gone through treatment, but now partakes of an occasional drink – is he still in recovery? In 2007, the Betty Ford Institute convened a panel of experts to address the definition of recovery, regardless of the age of the user or their substance of abuse.
A new language was recognized, including recovery management or recovery oriented systems of care. There was also recognition of the divergent pathways available to lead one to recovery. After an in-depth discussion of current recovery issues, the Betty Ford Institute panel developed a new definition for recovery: True recovery was defined as “a voluntarily maintained lifestyle characterized by sobriety, personal health and citizenship.”
When asked about the terms, “personal health” and “citizenship” when speaking of recovery; the panel mentioned the concept of a “dry drunk.” Even in AA there are those whom many say they liked better when they were drinking. By this, they refer to the fact that with an elimination of the alcohol or drugs, there arises an opportunity for a transformation of character. Sometimes this transformation happens quickly; sometimes it never occurs. Instead, counting clean days becomes the basis for recovery. However, in addition to this type of sobriety; there should also be a state of emotional sobriety. This includes a healthy approach to those in one’s world, service to others and manifested feelings of self-worth. Only the disease of addiction has the power to destroy the lives of those that interact with or surround the practicing addict. The recovering addict’s reintegrating with those members of society that were damaged during addiction, and continuing to be a positive influence on the others who surround them, is a further indication of true recovery through proper citizenship.
Attendance at a treatment facility that helps heal all facets of the recovering addict, while enlightening him or her to the means for maintaining a healthy relationship with those around them, can help each patient reach a state of recovery, in the truest sense of the word. Lava Heights Academy offers a program that includes treatment through counseling and use of a diversity of the arts. Each participant is able to access a new and healthy aspect of themselves that may have been hidden, way before their abuse of drugs or alcohol. Restore your teen to personal health and citizenship; call Lava Heights Academy with questions about treatment for your young person between the ages of 12 to 18.
Distributed by Client Initiatives
Media Contact
Company Name: Lava Height Academy
Contact Person: Dane Shakespeare
Email: Dane@daneshakespeare.com
Phone: 888-837-3581
Address:730 Spring Drive
City: Toquerville
State: Utah
Country: United States
Website: http://www.lavaheightsacademy.com/