Attending Your First AA Meeting
Going to an AA meeting for the first time can be an important step toward the treatment of addiction, but all too many people are intimidated by stereotypes and the fear of interacting with a group of people you don’t know. The truth is that AA is a very open and caring atmosphere that you or your loved one should not be afraid of. The hardest part can be admitting that you have a problem, but AA can allow you to get past this hurdle.
Be Open Minded
All types of people with all levels of alcohol addiction attend AA for the support they need to get on the path to a healthier and sober lifestyle. Attending AA requires trying to understand and be supportive of others from all walks of life.
Prepare To Share
As a new group member, you will be expected to introduce yourself and say a little about yourself. Keep in mind that one of the rules of AA is that what is said there stays there. The only exception would be if another member believed that someone intended to harm themselves or others. You don’t have to say much your first meeting but do be prepared to at least share something.
Listen And Learn
Since some people have been attending AA longer than others, there are many different experiences that can be shared. Members that have maintained sobriety longer will tell others how they have been able to do this. It is understood that not every method works well for everyone, so the key is finding what works for you.
Finding Your Local Chapter
It is easy to find a chapter of AA with a simple web search. In most areas there are many different groups to choose from. Meetings are often held in churches and community centers. Religion can play more of a role in some AA groups than others. Meetings often close with a prayer.
Go With A Friend If That Helps
A close friend can be a major source of support when it comes to finding the courage to attend your first AA meeting. Regardless of how a friend stands with alcohol, asking them to come along, so you don’t feel awkward can help you take the needed step in the right direction. AA groups should never mind an observer coming along as support.
Getting post-treatment consulting is sometimes a necessary step. The staff at Recovery Care Partner are knowledgeable about the difficulties newly sober people face after treatment, which is why we provide sober companions to those in need of intensive discreet and professional one-on-one support. A sober companion can accompany those in recovery to meetings, work, social functions, etc. If you or someone you love is in need of addiction services, please call Recovery Care Partner at 855-727-2887 or email us at info@recoverycarepartner.com
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Hosting A Drug Intervention
It is important to plan and schedule a drug intervention in order to avoid making your loved one feel that they are being attacked or threatened. People with substance abuse problems may avoid family events, so an intervention can be challenging without the help of a professional.
Choose Family Members Carefully
You know your family. If there has been a lot of conflict between the addict and a particular relative then it might be best if they are not a part of the initial intervention. Bad feelings from the past can sabotage an intervention well before it even starts.
Build Your Case Ahead Of Time
You need to do some research, so you are informed about the substances that you suspect or know that a loved one is using. You may also want to talk to other members of the family and friends to see if they have noticed anything different. One way to do this is to simply express that you are worried about the person. If there is an addiction problem, this is often all that is needed to get another concerned person to open up about what they have observed.
Meet And Plan With Family
Each family member that is supposed to be part of the intervention team should meet and discuss together how to best approach the intervention. Family members need to have a list of incidents that have caused the level of concern for the loved one’s wellbeing. Not being prepared will allow the addict to accuse family members of just throwing accusations at them. This is where your intervention specialist will provide invaluable support and advice.
A Professional Intervention Specialist
In cases of extreme addiction, an interventionist is often necessary. This is an impartial party that has experience dealing with these types of issues so you can rest assured that things will be well planned and increase the chances of your relative kicking their addiction.
Discuss Treatment Options With Your Loved One
You don’t want your relative to feel trapped and without options. There are outpatient and in-patient treatment programs that can help your loved one break the addiction cycle. Treatment costs can vary, and there is often help available within a community or through an insurance provider. Some employers will contribute to cover the cost of addiction treatment and counseling.
Recovery Care Partner provides professional intervention services, post-treatment support, sober companions, and many other addiction recovery services. Contact us today to get the help you need.
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How Do You Know If A Person Has A Drug Problem?
The signs of a drug addiction can range from subtle to striking. Here are some of the warning signs that someone is battling addiction and may need help.
Lack Of Interest
An addict often loses interests in activities they once enjoyed and may neglect their physical appearance quite a bit. General lethargy and lack of interest in daily activities can also be a sign of depression which can be another symptom of addiction.
Sudden Weight Loss Or Gain
Unless someone is trying to lose or gain weight, a sharp increase or decrease in weight is a common sign of substance abuse. Drugs such as marijuana can stimulate appetite while cocaine and methamphetamines can cause a total loss of appetite.
Bad Coordination And Mental Confusion
Stumbling, falling, shaking, voice tremors and confusion that occur with no apparent cause mean someone might be struggling. Not having as many drugs as they need to maintain a certain level of comfort can make a person have small withdrawal symptoms until the person can use again.
Loss Of Performance At Work Or School
Loss of performance at school or work is an indication that something has changed. The decline may be gradual or happen all at once. Some people are better than others at hiding addiction, sometimes to the point where nobody notices until a very serious problem has developed.
Mood Swings
We all have our moods, but an addict may have very dramatic mood swings. Some substances may even lead to an otherwise calm person becoming violent or abusive to others, even those they care the most about in the world.
Finding Help
A family intervention is a good way to show someone struggling with addiction that there are people who care about them and want to see them get better . Pre-treatment counselors can help you figure out the best way to help someone confront an addiction issue. It is important to approach the situation with love and respect, and most importantly, to have professional support present to facilitate this difficult situation. Recovery Care Partner interventions are firm and professional without resorting to the drama sometimes portrayed in publicized interventions. We are here to help your loved ones overcome their substance abuse problem. Give us a call today today at 855-727-2887.
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What to Know Post-Treatment
Although getting the chance to assimilate back into society is exciting, leaving treatment can be a scary time for those who are getting ready to be back in the world after spending time at a residential treatment center. Many will be experiencing sobriety in society for the first time in years, and there may be thoughts and feelings coming up that are difficult to handle.
The good news is that there are others who have been in those shoes already and are eager to help. They understand the struggles that come along with living drug and alcohol free in a world where triggers can be quite prevalent and all over the place.
Post-Treatment Things to Remember
Recovery is Better with People
Some people love going to meetings, others may find it difficult. The principle behind the fellowship is that addicts (or alcoholics) have the best chance of staying clean and on the right track when they do life together. Isolation is one of the worst things that can happen to someone post-treatment from a recovery center. Alone time is important, but constantly isolating oneself from those around them that would help is going to make recovery difficult if not impossible.
Relapse is Avoidable
Firstly, if someone has relapsed, there is no shame in coming back and many people have been there before. Relapse may happen to some people, but the reality is that it doesn’t have to be a part of everybody’s story. Those that are in recovery for the first time and are leaving treatment need to know that they don’t have to be a statistic and go back to using. They can do it right and use the tools they learned in treatment to be successful and build a productive life. To best ensure a successful recovery, it’s recommended to regularly go to 12-step meetings, seek sober coaching, attend intensive outpatient programs, etc.
Recovery can be Difficult for Young Adults
Though entering recovery at a young age can be difficult, it is not impossible. Those who are lucky enough to get help soon, in their early twenties or teens, are able to spare themselves the decades of addiction that some have had to endure. But being in recovery at such a young age presents unique challenges. The idea of never drinking again can be a daunting thought. That’s why a Sober Companion and mentors are fortunately available to provide personal addiction education and walk through life with someone who is looking to overcome these challenges with them.
There is Hope
Leaving treatment can be tough because it means new challenges are ahead, but it’s also an opportunity for a new life and the chance to prove to themselves that they can do it. Anyone can overcome addiction with the right tools and support network. That is a bold statement, but when someone has the right people around them and learns to ask for help, there’s no telling what they’ll be able to achieve in recovery. Soon enough those that are leaving recovery may be mentoring the newcomer, teaching them how to walk through recovery.
Recovery Care Partner exists to help those who are entering and leaving treatment with everything that goes along with being in those critical stages of the process. It’s been said that the true test begins after leaving treatment, and that’s where long-term success begins. Recovery Care Partner wants to help those who are leaving treatment to build stable lives and partner with them in their recovery. Recovery is not easy, and it is a lifelong process. Let Recovery Care Partner help make it an easier one. Call them today at 855-727-2887!
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Pre-Treatment Consulting: What to Remember Going Into Rehab
The process of entering treatment or watching a loved one go off to receive help for an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs can be an emotionally stressful and trying time. Recovery Care Partner exists to help those who are ready to take this step in life. Treatment centers want those who are preparing to enter their facilities to be well prepared to make the decision to enter treatment. Someone that is not ready for help can sometimes be persuaded through the tool of an intervention, but those who accept help are more likely to succeed in a recovery care management center.
It is important to seek professional help when dealing with an individual who suffers from an addiction. Addiction is a disease, and those who have an addiction may not respond in ways that seem rational when approached about their need to get help. Getting in touch with a recovery care center such as Recovery Care Partner is going to greatly help someone who has a loved one struggling with an addiction. There will be things to remember when considering treatment, or when a loved one is considering going to treatment.
What to Remember Pre-Treatment
Call the Professionals
Remember that facilities like Recovery Care Partner exist for the sole purpose of helping people get sober and helping their families heal from the wounds of addiction. The men and women working in recovery treatment centers are passionate about helping people. Give a call today and see the many resources that are available to those who are struggling. Recovery Care Partner even offers a complimentary 30-minute pre-treatment consultation.
You Are Not Alone
Remember that there are many families in the United States, and even around the world, who are affected by the disease of addiction. Reaching out and seeking help is the first step to surrounding oneself with a caring recovery group that is passionate about seeing people get their lives right.
Addiction Can Be Life and Death
For some addicts, it may be a while before the consequences of their actions become serious. However, for some who have been in addiction for long amounts of time, the best option for someone pre-treatment can be an intervention. When seeking help, it is important to remember that many who have gone before have had an intervention and gone on to successfully get help for an addiction. The best option is going to be seeking the help of a professional addiction specialist that can determine if this option best suits the needs of a family or individual.
Recovery Care Partner is comprised of a small, core group of recovery specialists who want to help treat the needs of those who are in addiction. Addiction is a serious disease, and because of that, the main goal is going to be to help those who are in addiction to recover and to build stable lives. The founder, Don Sloan, has over 30 years of experience in the addiction and recovery field and has orchestrated hundreds of interventions. To get in touch with them today, call 855-727-2887!
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Understanding Addiction: Professionals Definition of “Addiction”
It is often difficult for someone that is suffering from addiction, substance abuse, or chemical dependency to understand or admit that they have a problem.
Understanding Addiction
It can be as difficult, if not more difficult, for the family and loved ones of that person to admit the problem. The words “addict” and “alcoholic” can carry negative connotations, so people can often shut down based on shame, guilt, anger, and/or embarrassment at being classified as such.
However, it is vital for someone suffering from a substance use disorder as well as for their family and loved ones to understand that addiction is a disease because the earlier someone gets help or intervened upon, the earlier the disease can be arrested, treated, and put into remission while the person begins their recovery.
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