If you want to be sober, free of all chemical and emotional abuse, you can be. No matter how much you have used or how low you have sunk, you can get away and stay away from "it". Thousands of recovering addicts have done so and are living sober lives again. They are doing this by actively involving themselves and using the tools of recovery in the various 12-step programs that are based on the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

    TOTAL ABSTINENCE: This means that you must not only abstain from your drug of choice but also all other mind and emotion altering substances. The experience of others is that their addiction was invariably triggered by the use of some other substance or activity.

    MEETINGS: This is where you meet other recovering addicts. You failed to do it alone, but you can do it together. You can listen to others tell of what it was like, what happened to them and what it is like now. You listen for the similarities and discard the differences. In these meetings you learn valuable information about your disease and how the 12-step program works. It is strongly suggested that you attend 90 meetings in you first 90 days and to practice abstinence to the best of your ability.

    LITERATURE: The books Alcoholics Anonymous, the "Big Book", and the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, the "Twelve and Twelve" are two of the most valuable tools of recovery. Each of the various 12-step programs also publish numerous pieces of literature more directly associated with your addiction.

    SPONSOR: A sponsor is a recovering addict with your same addiction with more sobriety and Program experience than yourself who will help you through the 12 steps of recovery. The sponsor, typically of the same gender, should be someone you believe you can communicate with. You should find a sponsor immediately, even if they are only temporary. You can always change later if the relationship does not work out.

    THE TWELVE STEPS: Meetings may keep you sober for some time, but the Twelve Steps are vital for a stable and happy recovery. The Steps are the means by which you move from the problem of addiction to the solution of recovery. You learn about the Steps by reading the literature, by attending Step study meetings and by working with a knowledgeable sponsor.

    PROFESSIONAL HELP: Your addiction and using may have been a subconscious way of self-medicating yourself for some other mental or emotional problem you have. Your drug abuse may have also caused physical damage. During your early phases of recovery, these mental, emotional and/or physical problems may surface. It is just as important to work with a medical professional in the early stages of recovery as it is to work with a sponsor. If it is not obvious, you should make your doctor aware that you are in the early stages of recovery and inquire if they are knowledgeable about your form of addiction.

    HIGHER POWER: It is equally important to explore whatever beliefs you may have in a power greater than yourself. There are no religious requirements or beliefs necessary to attend a 12-step meeting. Some of individuals have either lost their spirituality before coming to recovery and some have never had any spiritual beliefs. In recovery you may experience a new or reawakened spiritual feeling. Some of these awakened feelings may challenge your religious upbringing. Be open-minded.

    SERVICE: One of the keys to successful recovery is getting involved. Begin by getting and keeping commitments at meetings. Make coffee, help set up, stack chairs, etc. Help yourself by helping others.

    TELEPHONE: The Telephone is your lifeline between meetings. Get phone numbers from other members in your program. Get use to calling someone daily. You may be shy and hesitant at first but by training yourself to call someone, it will be easy to place that call when that moment of crisis arises. And it will!

    ONE DAY AT A TIME: The thought of making a pledge to never use again can be discouraging and overwhelming. It's important not to worry about the past or project the future, just stay in the moment. If necessary take it one hour or even one minute at a time. If you become overwhelmed by tasks to be accomplished, make yourself a list of things to do. Keep them small and simple. Tasks that can be accomplished in five minutes or less can be as rewarding as major long-term tasks. Especially in that moment of confusion and bewilderment.

    PRAYER AND MEDITATION: These are the tools with which you establish and improve your conscious contact with a Higher Power, as you understand Him. When you are lost as to what to say or meditate, just repeat to yourself, the Serenity Prayer:

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can, and
The wisdom to know the difference."

    MAKE RECOVERY your number one priority. All of your hopes and plans, your very survival depends on your recovery.  It may not make sense at the beginning but your order of priority should be:

• First, Sobriety;
• Second, Physical and Mental Health;
• Third, Financial;
• Fourth, Family Relationships

    The early period of recovery can be rough. This does not mean you are not getting better. Beware of thoughts like "I don't feel good" or " This is not working" Recovery is a process and it takes time.