There is no right or wrong way to choose recovery; everyone is traveling on a different journey to the same end result: finding a path that creates a happier life than a life in active addiction or alcoholism produced. Today, there are innumerable choices of different paths to recovery, including (but not limited to): 12-step-based recovery, SMART Recovery, culturally-specific paths to recovery, peer recovery support services, and clinical treatment. Although enormously diverse in their approaches and methods of living a life in recovery, the common denominator in each of these is changing one’s self; one cannot keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. LifeRing Secular Recovery – “LifeRing Secular Recovery is an abstinence-based, worldwide network of individuals seeking to live in recovery from addiction to alcohol or to other non-medically indicated drugs. In LifeRing, we offer each other peer-to-peer support in ways that encourage personal growth and continued learning through personal empowerment. Our approach is based on developing, refining, and sharing our own personal strategies for continued abstinence and crafting a rewarding life in recovery. In short, we are sober, secular, and self-directed.” Everyone with an AUD deserves to experience the benefits of recovery. The path you take to get there will vary based on numerous factors, including your culture and the dominant culture where you live, your psychological needs, your behavioral health needs, your socioeconomic status, your location, and other factors. 6

Nash AJ. The twelve steps and adolescent recovery: a concise review. Substance Abuse. 2020;14. doi:10.1177/1178221820904397 Al-Anon is a mutual aid group commonly sought by families dealing with substance use in a loved one. Like AA, Al-Anon is based on a 12-step philosophy 83 and provides support to concerned family members, affected significant others, and friends through a network of face-to-face and online meetings, whether or not their loved one seeks help and achieves remission or recovery. More than 80 percent of Al-Anon members are women. 84 The principal goal of Al-Anon is to foster emotional stability and “loving detachment” from the loved one rather than coaching members to “get their loved one into treatment or recovery.” Al-Anon includes Alateen, which focuses on the specific needs of adolescents affected by a parent's or other family member's substance use.

The Stages of Change

Self-reflection: Also known as “Inventory,” or “Taking Inventory,” step 4 is where a person takes a moral inventory of themselves. This is a challenging and essential step to recovery. Moral inventory includes assessing where you’re at with the basics of self-care, including exercise and nutrition, the status and health of your relationships, finances, and career. The "Big Book" recommends making step 4 an ongoing step throughout recovery as things change. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). GDC Session #10: Warning Signs of Relapse. Retrieved from https://archives.drugabuse.gov/pdf/DCCA/GDCSession10.pdf This design specifically relies on two things: a God of your own understanding and the experience of others that have achieved this goal by working the suggested steps. Certain issues potentially arise from those two categories, such as: the religious undertones of the program and the subjectivity of how the steps should be worked within the different routes of sponsorship. Just for a couple examples, those with different belief systems may struggle with the spirituality of the program and those suffering with trauma may struggle with opening up to a stranger regarding their experiences. These programs also adhere to a strict, abstinence-based lifestyle and focus heavily on the length of sobriety one has. Some groups will not even allow those with under a certain amount of time to share at a meeting, which could be detrimental to their experience and self-esteem. SMART Recovery

However, this definition is a short sentence to represent the weight and significance of recovery for someone currently living with an AUD. 4 Your recovery may involve harm reduction or strict abstinence, ongoing professional support or building a personal support network, but the foundation of your recovery will be improving how your life looks, functions, and feels tomorrow and every day after by eliminating harmful addictive and compulsive behaviors. What Are the Benefits of Recovery? Shannon uses the nourishing somatic practices of breath regulation, movement and manipulation of the spine, and writing exploration, to embody Self. As a Level 1 trained Internal Family Systems (IFS) practitioner, Registered Yoga Teacher, CranioSacral Therapy 1 practitioner, and a Psychiatric & Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, she combines her clinical knowledge and therapeutic skills to guide others towards Self leadership. Dave Sinclair is a Men’s S.E.L.F. -Leadership (Self Energizing Life Force), and Recovery coach based in Alberta, Canada. Dave is a professionally certified IFS and Trauma informed coach (PCC), iEQ9 Enneagram Guide, 3VQ Coach/Facilitator, and a certified meditation instructor. All this comes together in the work between Dave and his clients who find themselves recovering from things such as chronic stress, disconnection from a sense of meaning and purpose, loss of identity, often time which are accompanied with some form of process or substance addiction.

Many people need medical in the early stages of recovery when alcohol withdrawal symptoms are the most severe. Medically managed withdrawal is safe and effective. In these detox programs, medications can help curb cravings and ease physical discomfort. If potentially significant medical complications arise, professionals are on hand to alleviate them. Many people suffering from addiction don’t know where to seek help or how to recover. They may have failed to recover on their own and believe recovery is impossible. Many people are in denial about their illness or ashamed to admit they’re addicted. The following steps will help people suffering from addiction begin recovery. 1 Recognize Addiction Exists National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2012, December). Principles of Effective Treatment. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment However, once you enter recovery and start working to overcome alcoholism, you can access a wide range of treatment services to help you heal each area of your life.