Most people have formed an addiction to something at least once in their life. This addiction could be something as harmless as a favorite TV show or as dangerous as alcohol or drug addiction to gambling or sex addiction. While the more benign addictions have a little adverse impact on a person’s life, a more dangerous addiction, such as drugs, can actually destroy the whole life.
Drug addiction is a compulsive craving for mind and body-altering drugs. The more common types of drugs are depressants, anti-depressants (usually used in conjunction with the depressant drug and considered a stimulant), hallucinogenic, and designer drugs. The most well-known drugs are heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and they are in use around the world, while ecstasy and crack, the designer drugs, are also prevalent.
Drugs can affect a person’s ability to cope in their day-to-day life, leading to loss of job, family, and health. Few people can wean themselves from drugs on their own. Most need the help of professionals in a clinical setting and the support of their friends and family while they undergo the long, arduous process.
Gambling addiction, like drug addiction, may require professional intervention to control. An inveterate gambler will bet on anything, with no regard to how they will be able to pay their losses. If a gambler does not seek help, he risks losing his home and other personal belongings and losing his family and friends. Many inveterate gamblers become suicidal after losing everything of worth in their lives.
The best thing a recovering alcoholic can do is to find a good alcohol addiction recovery program, one that offers the support needed on the long road to recovery. This program, along with the love and support of family and friends, is vital to keep an addict from slipping back into old and destructive habits.
There is no one program that can fit every person, but a great starting point is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It began in 1935 by two men, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, both alcoholics themselves. It is one of the best support programs available today. People can retain their anonymity while receiving the conditional support they need on the long road to recovery.
AA only allows members to reveal their first names and last name initial. No one’s background, either personal or professional, is ever discussed. There are no sign-in sheets or list of members. To attend a AA program, one merely needs to find one in their area and show up at the designated time.
AA meetings are held in almost every city, and you can find meetings by checking your phone book under AA. Many companies are happy to donate space for meetings, which are free.
AA is not the only alcohol addiction recovery program available. Many churches have outreach services open to anyone who needs help. Some hospitals and medical clinics have outpatient programs, although these are usually not anonymous, and patient information is required.
Regardless of the addiction recovery program you choose, you need to find one quickly and be faithful in attending meetings to reap their full benefits. The support of these groups, combined with help from family and friends, is vital to recovering addicts.
