We believe recovery is a process, not an event.

We consider the first time an addict makes an attempt to clean up as the beginning of the recovery process. This happens well before anyone else even suspects he or she may have a problem. The addict is not aware of his or her opponent (or disease) and begins a long season of trying various ways to get out from under the addiction.

As time grinds on, the addict becomes more and more frustrated as does the family. The addict does what he knows to do when frustrated and drinks and uses again in order to escape--beginning the cycle all over. Some never can see that they need outside help--denial blinds them forever, it seems.

Getting the addict to treatment is only a part of the recovery process. Treatment gives addicts a chance to detox from their drug of choice and provides a “timeout” from life, allowing addicts to reflect and absorb the impact drugs and alcohol have had on them and their loved ones. Most treatment centers expose addicts to the reality of the disease and introduce aftercare programs which involve continued counseling and support from the 12-step community both while in treatment and afterward, when they return home.

Long term sobriety for an addict is the hope and goal for everyone involved--both the family and the treatment professionals. But the reality is that a large percentage of addicts slip and drink or use again. Does this mean the recovery is over? Not at all. We believe that if the family and the addict have a good grip on the nature of recovery and the reality of relapse statistics, if a slip occurs, they will be prepared and educated as to what needs to take place to resume the process.

We believe that the recovery process is not over as long as the desire for recovery exists; it is merely being “reset” so that the next round of sobriety may indeed stick.