7 Gifts of Being in Recovery

How Addiction Recovery Transforms Lives for the Better 

Individuals in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction gain so much more than just sobriety and control of their lives. The rewards associated with overcoming addiction include having a whole new perspective on a life full of positivity, thankfulness, contentment, and encouragement. Some of the greatest gifts of recovery are:

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

1. Awareness:  Part of being in active addiction involves looking away from parts of life that people are unable to face.  One of the greatest gifts of being in recovery is learning how to honestly look yourself in the mirror and see things, both within you and around you, for what they are.
2. Acceptance:   Once awareness has been developed, people in recovery begin to cultivate another amazing gift, acceptance.  The serenity prayer reminds us of the power of acceptance, “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”.
3. Self-Love:  Self love is the natural result of true self-awareness and genuine acceptance.  In recovery, people have the opportunity to learn so much about who they really are.  People in recovery come to know their own strengths as well as their short-comings and they begin to appreciate it all as they consider all they have come through and how their experiences have shaped them.  Perhaps most importantly, people in recovery have the opportunity to realize that they are worthy of love, especially self-love.
4. Gratitude:  One of the greatest gifts of recovery is the cultivation of an attitude of gratitude.  Through recovery, people come to accept life’s realities.  They know from experience how painful and challenging life can be, and they begin to recognize that they have an amazing opportunity to enjoy life again.  Recovery gives people much to be grateful for as they celebrate their own milestones and those of others in recovery.
5. Serenity: In active addiction, life was a roller coaster of extremes, but recovery gives the amazing gift of serenity- the feeling of tranquility and calm.  Of course people in recovery continue to face challenges, and they won’t feel peaceful everyday, but because they’ve developed healthier ways to cope with stress, they are less reactionary.  They learn to face life’s discomforts with confidence.  
6. Safety and Security: Active addiction puts a person’s safety and security at risk in so many ways.  Addicts harm themselves and are also vulnerable to harm from others.  In the throes of active addiction, many lose their homes and families, the things that provided protection for them.  One of the most fundamental gifts of being in recovery is a stable foundation and the ability to become safe and secure again.
7. Community: In recovery, many find a family like they’ve never had before.  Even for those who have a strong support network in their personal lives, the community gained through recovery is unlike anything else.  The recovery community is a group of individuals who understand your experience uniquely, who are working towards the same goals, and are actively bettering themselves.  For many, the strong and supportive community found in recovery is the most important resource for their sobriety.

Through recovery, people adopt a new, more positive mindset and outlook. They learn new perspectives through behavioral therapy, counseling, and motivational therapy, which help addicts manage their addiction properly. The greatest gift that one will receive when committed and dedicated to obtaining abstinence from drug and alcohol use is sobriety.  

Addiction Is a Disease, Not a Choice 

Contrary to what some may think, addiction is in fact a disease, which means it is chronic and relapsing by nature. Many people have a misconception of addiction. They think people struggling with addiction can simply control drinking and using drugs if they have enough willpower and driving force to quit. This thought pattern does not represent the truth however, as addiction entails a disease of the mind and spirit, requiring treatment, therapy, counseling, and ongoing management to prevent relapse. 

Addiction and prolonged substance abuse alter the brain’s chemical makeup. So much so that addiction tricks the brain into thinking it needs drugs or alcohol to function. For the addict, it becomes a means of survival. To revert, repair, and manage this, professional, comprehensive treatment is required.  

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

Treatment for Addiction 

Before you can reap the gifts of recovery, you must first find the ideal treatment program for your addiction. There are many different types of treatment programs for those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. Depending on the severity of the addiction and the types of addiction the individual is struggling with, the proper treatment program will be suggested.  

WhiteSands Treatment offers all levels of care and a full range of treatment options for those struggling with substance abuse and addiction. Some of the programs we offer include: 

• Medical Detox 
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Withdrawal Management Drugs 
• Residential Treatment 
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 
• Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT) 
• Individual Counseling  
• Family Therapy 
• IOP (Intensive Outpatient Treatment) 
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
• Relapse Prevention 
• Aftercare  
• Coping Mechanisms 
• Trigger Management  
• Alumni Program  

Once a person has decided to seek help and understands that there is a problem that must be addressed, they are already in the mindset of ‘recovery,’ which is a gift in itself. One of the reasons people don’t seek help is denial. They believe that they can control their problem if they want to or don’t believe that their harmful drinking and drug abuse are problems. These patterns, in turn, perpetuate the challenges addicts face.  

When patients are in a recovery mindset, the gift of that thinking allows them to excel in treatment because they want to obtain and maintain sobriety. It is their choice, and no one is forcing them to make the decision to get help. 

If you or someone close to you struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, we hope you’ll give yourself the opportunity to discover all of the gifts recovery has to offer. WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab is a premier addiction treatment center that achieves high rates of success helping people to sustain their sobriety long-term. Taking control of your life starts with contacting our intake team, who can help guide you toward the best help for your unique struggles. 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.