South Florida Drug Rehabilitation | Simple Path Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous Success Rates: What the Data Really Shows—and Why Outpatient Treatment Matters

Matthew Mojave — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:18:30 +0000

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most well-known recovery program in the world. For decades, millions of people struggling with alcohol addiction have turned to AA meetings hoping to find lasting sobriety. But if you’ve searched for “Alcoholics Anonymous success rate,” you’ve likely found conflicting information—and for good reason.

Understanding the true success rate of AA requires looking beyond simple statistics. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine what the research actually shows about AA effectiveness, why outcomes vary so dramatically, and how combining AA with professional outpatient alcohol treatment can significantly improve your chances of long-term recovery.

What Is Alcoholics Anonymous?

Before diving into AA success rates, it’s important to understand what Alcoholics Anonymous actually offers—and what it doesn’t.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a free, peer-led, 12-step recovery program founded in 1935. The program centers around:

Group meetings where members share their experiences with alcohol addiction
Peer sponsorship from members who have achieved sustained sobriety
Spiritual growth through working the 12 steps
Community support from others who understand addiction firsthand

What AA is not:

AA is not clinical treatment
AA does not provide medical intervention
AA is not led by licensed addiction counselors or therapists
AA does not offer individualized treatment plans

This distinction is crucial when evaluating AA’s effectiveness as a standalone intervention versus part of a comprehensive recovery approach.

What Is the Actual Success Rate of AA?

The question “What is the success rate of Alcoholics Anonymous?” doesn’t have a simple answer. Research on AA effectiveness has produced widely varying results, and understanding why requires examining the data closely.

High Dropout Rates Within the First Year

One of the most significant challenges in measuring AA success rates is retention. Studies consistently show:

Approximately 40% of newcomers stop attending within the first 90 days
Only about 10-15% of people who start AA remain active members after one year
Many people attend a few meetings and never return

Long-Term Abstinence When AA Is the Only Intervention

When looking at people who rely solely on AA without any professional treatment:

Research suggests abstinence rates of 5-10% after one year
Long-term sobriety (5+ years) is achieved by a small minority
Outcomes improve significantly for those who remain actively engaged

Better Outcomes When Combined with Professional Treatment

Here’s where the data becomes more encouraging. Studies consistently show that AA success rates improve dramatically when combined with evidence-based professional treatment:

Individuals who combine AA with outpatient treatment show 40-60% improvement in outcomes
Those who engage with both AA and professional therapy are more likely to achieve sustained sobriety
The combination approach addresses gaps that AA alone cannot fill

Why AA Success Rates Vary So Widely

Understanding why Alcoholics Anonymous success rates fluctuate so dramatically helps explain why some people thrive in the program while others struggle.

Factors That Influence Individual Outcomes

Severity of Alcohol Use Disorder: People with more severe addiction often need more intensive intervention than peer support alone can provide.

Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders: Approximately 50% of people with substance use disorders also have a mental health condition. AA is not equipped to address depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other psychiatric issues.

Access to Comprehensive Treatment: Geographic location, financial resources, and insurance coverage affect whether someone can access professional treatment alongside AA.

Level of Engagement: Active participation—attending meetings regularly, working with a sponsor, completing the steps—correlates with better outcomes than passive attendance.

What AA Does NOT Provide

To understand AA’s limitations as a standalone treatment, consider what the program cannot offer:

Clinical assessments to identify underlying issues
Evidence-based therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Medication management for withdrawal, cravings, or co-occurring disorders
Structured relapse prevention planning tailored to individual triggers
Dual-diagnosis treatment for simultaneous mental health and addiction issues

These gaps don’t diminish AA’s value—they simply highlight why professional treatment often needs to complement the peer support AA provides.

Why Outpatient Addiction Treatment Improves Outcomes

Outpatient alcohol treatment addresses many of the limitations of AA as a standalone intervention. Quality outpatient programs offer:

Individual Therapy

One-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist help you:

Identify and process underlying trauma
Develop personalized coping strategies
Address negative thought patterns that fuel addictive behavior
Work through relationship and family issues connected to addiction

Group Therapy

Unlike AA meetings (which focus on sharing experiences), clinical group therapy:

Is facilitated by trained professionals
Uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches
Provides structured skill-building exercises
Addresses specific topics like communication, boundaries, and emotional regulation

Dual-Diagnosis Treatment

For the approximately 50% of people with co-occurring mental health conditions, dual-diagnosis treatment is essential. This approach:

Treats addiction and mental health simultaneously
Prevents untreated psychiatric issues from derailing recovery
Uses integrated care from professionals trained in both areas

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

FDA-approved medications can significantly improve recovery outcomes by:

Reducing cravings for alcohol
Managing withdrawal symptoms safely
Addressing co-occurring depression or anxiety
Supporting long-term abstinence

Relapse Prevention Planning

Professional treatment includes comprehensive relapse prevention that:

Identifies your unique triggers
Develops personalized coping strategies
Creates accountability structures
Provides ongoing support during high-risk situations

AA vs Outpatient Treatment: It’s Not Either/Or

One of the biggest misconceptions about addiction recovery is that you must choose between AA and professional treatment. In reality, the most successful recovery outcomes come from combining both approaches.

Comparing the Benefits

What AA Provides	What Outpatient Treatment Provides
Free, lifelong peer support	Clinical assessment and diagnosis
Community of people who understand addiction	Evidence-based therapeutic interventions
Structured 12-step framework	Medication management when appropriate
Sponsor relationships	Licensed therapists and counselors
Meetings available nearly everywhere	Dual-diagnosis treatment
Spiritual component for those who want it	Individualized treatment plans

The Power of Combining Both

When you participate in both AA and outpatient treatment, you benefit from:

Professional guidance to address clinical issues AA cannot treat
Peer support that extends beyond therapy sessions
Multiple accountability structures to keep you on track
Community connection that continues after formal treatment ends
Evidence-based tools combined with real-world wisdom from those in recovery

Research consistently shows that this combination produces the highest success rates for long-term sobriety.

Why People Relapse Without Professional Support

Understanding why relapse occurs helps illustrate why professional treatment matters. Common reasons people relapse when relying solely on AA include:

Unaddressed Trauma

Many people develop alcohol addiction as a way to cope with past trauma. Without professional help to process these experiences, the underlying pain remains—and continues to drive addictive behavior.

Untreated Mental Health Conditions

Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric conditions frequently co-occur with addiction. When these remain untreated:

Symptoms may worsen during early recovery
The person may return to alcohol to self-medicate
Mood instability makes sustained recovery extremely difficult

Poor Coping Skills

Active addiction often prevents people from developing healthy coping mechanisms. Professional treatment teaches:

Stress management techniques
Emotional regulation skills
Healthy communication patterns
Strategies for managing triggers and cravings

Without these skills, even committed AA members may struggle when life becomes challenging.

Choosing the Right Outpatient Addiction Center

If you’re considering outpatient treatment to complement your AA participation—or as your primary treatment approach—here’s what to look for:

Accreditation and Licensing

Ensure the facility is properly licensed and accredited by relevant state and national organizations.

Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches

Quality programs use proven methods such as:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Trauma-informed care

Dual-Diagnosis Capabilities

Look for programs that can treat co-occurring mental health conditions alongside addiction.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Avoid one-size-fits-all approaches. Your treatment should be tailored to your specific needs, history, and goals.

Qualified Staff

Ensure counselors and therapists hold appropriate licenses and have specific training in addiction treatment.

Aftercare Planning

Good programs help you plan for ongoing support after formal treatment ends, including connections to AA and other community resources.

Flexible Scheduling

Outpatient treatment should accommodate your work, family, and other responsibilities while providing the intensity you need.

Final Takeaway: What the Success Rate of AA Really Means

So what does the Alcoholics Anonymous success rate really tell us? The data shows that AA alone produces modest results, but AA combined with professional treatment produces significantly better outcomes.

The key insights:

AA provides valuable peer support that many people find essential for long-term recovery
Professional treatment addresses clinical needs that AA was never designed to handle
The combination approach produces the highest success rates
Individual factors matter—severity of addiction, co-occurring disorders, and level of engagement all influence outcomes

If you’re evaluating your options for alcohol addiction recovery, don’t think of it as AA versus treatment. The evidence strongly supports pursuing both.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

At Simple Path Recovery, we offer comprehensive outpatient addiction treatment designed to complement your recovery journey—whether you’re active in AA, considering it, or exploring other paths to sobriety.

Our programs include:

Individual therapy with licensed addiction counselors
Group therapy sessions
Dual-diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions
Medication-assisted treatment when appropriate
Personalized relapse prevention planning
Flexible outpatient scheduling

You don’t have to choose between community support and professional treatment. Contact Simple Path Recovery today to learn how our outpatient programs can help you achieve lasting recovery.

About the Author
Matthew Mojave is a member of the Simple Path Recovery team and contributes educational content focused on mental health, addiction recovery, and overall wellness for individuals and families seeking support.

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The Role of EMDR Therapy in Drug Rehab and Long-Term Recovery

Matthew Koenig — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:40:46 +0000

Addiction rarely exists in a vacuum. For many people entering drug rehab, substance use is not the core problem but rather a response to unresolved trauma, chronic stress, or painful life experiences that were never fully processed. Over the last decade, addiction treatment has continued to shift toward trauma-informed care, and one therapy has become especially valuable in that shift: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly known as EMDR.

Originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, EMDR therapy is now widely used in drug rehab settings to help individuals address the emotional roots of addiction, reduce relapse risk, and build a stronger foundation for long-term recovery.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer trigger overwhelming emotional or physical responses. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require clients to repeatedly describe traumatic events in detail. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation, often guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues, while the client focuses briefly on a memory.

This process allows the brain to refile painful experiences in a healthier way. The memory remains, but the emotional charge attached to it is reduced. Over time, triggers lose their intensity, negative beliefs soften, and clients gain more emotional stability.

EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol that includes history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation of healthier beliefs, body scanning, closure, and reevaluation. This structured approach makes EMDR both safe and adaptable for use in drug rehab programs.

Why Trauma Matters in Drug Rehab

A significant percentage of people seeking drug rehab have a history of trauma. This may include childhood neglect, abuse, accidents, violence, military combat, medical trauma, or long-term emotional stress. When trauma goes untreated, substances often become a way to cope with intrusive memories, anxiety, emotional numbness, or shame.

Without addressing these underlying issues, relapse risk remains high. EMDR helps bridge this gap by treating the emotional wounds that fuel addictive behaviors rather than focusing only on substance use itself.

How EMDR Supports Recovery in Drug Rehab

Addressing the Root Causes of Substance Use

One of the most powerful benefits of EMDR in drug rehab is its ability to uncover and process the experiences that led to substance use in the first place. Many clients can identify when their drug or alcohol use escalated, but not why. EMDR helps connect those patterns to unresolved memories and beliefs.

As trauma is processed, clients often report fewer urges to escape or numb themselves. Recovery begins to feel less like constant resistance and more like genuine healing.

Reducing Triggers and Cravings

Triggers are not just external situations. They are often internal reactions tied to past experiences. Stress, conflict, rejection, or even success can activate emotional responses that once led to substance use.

EMDR helps desensitize these triggers by reprocessing the memories and emotional associations behind them. As a result, cravings tend to decrease in frequency and intensity, making sobriety more sustainable over time.

Improving Emotional Regulation

Emotional dysregulation is common in early recovery. Mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and emotional numbness can make day-to-day life feel overwhelming. EMDR supports the nervous system by helping the brain process unresolved stress and trauma.

As emotional regulation improves, clients gain greater control over their reactions. This makes it easier to handle discomfort without reverting to old coping mechanisms, which is a critical skill in drug rehab and beyond.

Rebuilding Self-Worth and Identity

Addiction often leaves individuals with deeply ingrained negative beliefs about themselves. Thoughts like “I am broken,” “I am weak,” or “I will always fail” are common and can quietly undermine recovery efforts.

EMDR directly targets these beliefs. Through the reprocessing of past experiences, healthier and more accurate self-perceptions begin to take hold. Clients often report increased self-compassion, confidence, and a renewed sense of identity separate from addiction.

EMDR as Part of a Comprehensive Drug Rehab Program

EMDR is not a standalone solution, nor is it meant to replace other forms of therapy. Its strength lies in how well it integrates with comprehensive drug rehab programs that include individual counseling, group therapy, medical support, and relapse prevention planning.

When combined with therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and experiential or holistic approaches, EMDR helps create a well-rounded treatment experience. Cognitive therapies address present-day thought patterns, while EMDR works on unresolved emotional material stored in the nervous system.

This combination allows clients to understand their behaviors intellectually while also healing them emotionally.

Research Supporting EMDR in Addiction Treatment

Over the past several years, research has continued to support the use of EMDR in addiction treatment settings. Studies have shown that EMDR can reduce PTSD symptoms, lower relapse rates, and decrease substance cravings when used alongside standard drug rehab care.

Clinical observations also indicate that clients who process trauma during treatment often engage more fully in recovery, remain in treatment longer, and experience improved emotional resilience after discharge.

While research continues to evolve, EMDR is now widely recognized as a valuable component of trauma-informed drug rehab programs.

Who Is a Good Candidate for EMDR in Drug Rehab?

Not every client begins EMDR immediately upon entering treatment. Stabilization always comes first. Once a client has developed basic coping skills and emotional safety, EMDR can be introduced gradually and thoughtfully.

EMDR can be effective for individuals with substance use disorders who also struggle with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, or chronic stress. A trained clinician will assess readiness and tailor the approach to each individual’s needs.

EMDR and Long-Term Recovery

Recovery does not end when drug rehab is completed. The goal is long-term emotional health, stability, and resilience. By addressing trauma at its source, EMDR helps reduce the likelihood of unresolved issues resurfacing later as relapse triggers.

Clients who complete EMDR often report feeling more grounded, emotionally present, and capable of handling life’s challenges without returning to substances. This sense of internal stability is one of the most meaningful predictors of sustained recovery.

A Trauma-Informed Path Forward

Modern drug rehab is no longer about willpower alone. It is about understanding the human nervous system, honoring lived experiences, and providing tools that support real healing. EMDR represents a powerful step forward in this evolution.

By helping individuals process the experiences that shaped their addiction, EMDR allows recovery to move beyond symptom management and into genuine transformation.

For those seeking drug rehab that addresses both substance use and the deeper emotional roots beneath it, trauma-informed therapies like EMDR can make all the difference.

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Managing a Co-Occurring Disorder

Matthew Koenig — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 14:14:24 +0000

Managing a Co-occurring Disorder in Recovery

When you admit into addiction treatment, you may likely get a psychiatric evaluation if there is suspicion that you may be experiencing a co-occurring disorder. You will meet with a therapist to ensure you are comfortable talking about your personal history to confirm that they have an accurate diagnosis. Generally, rehab is the best environment in which this happens. Not only are you facing your addiction, but now you can focus on the mental health aspects that may be the fuel of your substance abuse. You will be in a safe space where a full evaluation can take place with little to no outside influence that may normally occur in an outpatient setting.

Dual Diagnosis is More Common Today

If you receive a dual diagnosis, you will work alongside your therapist to come up with a treatment plan designed specifically to your needs. You will examine your past, present and future conditions that led you to drink or use drugs. In these therapy sessions, you will learn how your addiction and mental health disorder may have played a role in the volatility of your life and what steps you can take to reclaim your life. This likely includes coping strategies, setting boundaries, and medications that help manage your disorders simultaneously and a referral for a psychiatrist back home to ensure transition of care.

Recent studies show that 2 out 3 people receiving addiction treatment have some form of mental health disorder. In many cases, it’s not discovered until someone admits into an addiction treatment center.

Self-Medication Anyone?

By using drugs and alcohol to ease the pain of consuming emotional problems, you are increasing the effects of your disorder even though it may feel a brief respite. For example, if someone is drinking to offset their manic-depressive disorder, they may enjoy the numbness of the alcohol without realizing the alcohol is a depressant. Also, increasing drinking over time cause acute mood swings that results in unstable behavior. The capability to rationalize fades when one has certain mood disorders and drinks or drugs chronically. No matter what the drug of choice, your co-occurring disorder will only get worse when left untreated. As your disorder becomes unbearable, you are tempted to increase amounts. The increases then intensify the effects of the disorder, and the vicious cycle repeats, over and over. Often when the situation deteriorates to this point, loved ones tend to step in. The cycle can be broken down while the decisions are still in your hands. Admitting into residential treatment is your best option to recover.

Simple Path Recovery is an oceanside, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as a Top Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.

About the Author
Matthew Koenig is the principal of Last Call Marketing, which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, Content Marketing, Website Design and SEO, primarily in healthcare and tourism concerns. Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.

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Four Things That Recovery is NOT

Matthew Koenig — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 18:37:20 +0000

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Alcohol is a Substance

Matthew Koenig — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:04:41 +0000

Is alcohol a substance? To answer this query, another question must be asked: Does the substance alter your mood? Alcohol is a depressant that quickly changes the central nervous system. When people drink alcohol, their physical and cognitive functions become compromised. In fact, it is the oldest and most widely abused substance on the planet.

As drinking increases, most start to experience tremors, rapid pulse, elevated blood pressure, rapid breathing, sweating, and nausea. Simple Path Recovery helps many people overcome their addiction to alcohol. If you are struggling with alcoholism, our treatment programs can help you get sober and stay that way.

Story of Alcohol

The history of alcohol goes a long way back. The first archeologic proof is dated to 7000 BC. Interestingly enough, alcohol has played a key role in the survival of early people. Why? The process of fermentation preserves and improves the dietary value of drinks and food. Once this discovery was made, alcohol became a commodity for trade and protected the health of the wealthy. Those on poverty levels drank water that could be easily contaminated from unsanitary conditions which spread disease.

When Drinking Goes Beyond Socializing

How would you describe your drinking routine? Maybe it’s hanging out with friends and having a good time. However, when people think of alcoholics most conjure up stereotypes that do not quite fit your picture of an alcoholic. For example, a wino sitting outside drinking out of a paper bag. Alcoholism manifests itself in so many ways. You might only struggle to control your drinking and not consider yourself truly addicted. However, when you can’t just have two drinks for entire evening without feeling anxious, withdrawn, or agitated, then you might be on your way to alcoholism.

Your Mental Health and Alcoholism

If you've been drinking for a long time, you may have noticed your tolerance has increased over time. Tolerance leads to you drinking more to attain the same sensation Chronic drinkers often suffer from a condition called “wet brain.” This disorder is a result of chronic alcohol abuse. This syndrome is a form of dementia that is a result of a shortage of thiamine. thiamin is necessary for the growth, development and function of cells. Alcohol inhibits the body’s ability to absorb this vital brain nutrient.

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The Male Guide to Recovery

Matthew Koenig — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 17:20:39 +0000

Addiction recovery is a personal journey that men and women experience differently. Men typically want their rehab and recovery to be clandestine. Okay, that maybe a little dramatic, but men suffer an ego bruise when they must give up substance use. However, in today’s modern world, men’s health topics now include mental health and addiction. In recovery, we are advised to keep things simple, and we’ll do that here.

Here are the top five things that men should absorb and integrate as they work through rehab and into long-term recovery. Each will go a long way to help you transition from the life you knew to a life beyond your wildest dreams in sobriety.

1. Get Everything out into the Open

Since men typically are private about being in recovery, this may be difficult. Many men are raised not to show weakness, weep or be emotional, in general. However, it is crucial for men to tackle problems and communicate how they feel to live a sober and free life. Bottom line, a person cannot get free from substances unless they are willing to declare they have a problem and ask for help.

2. Get Honest (and Stay Honest)

Call this the second part to the first part. The only way for men to succeed in recovery is to be honest with themselves and those around them. Again, this contrary to how men grow up and doesn’t exactly personify the stereotype of “man up.” Since some males were taught to not be emotional or share their deepest thoughts, this is challenging habit to break. However, your life may depend upon it!

3. Release Your Shame

Another tricky part of getting sober is getting past the “wreckage” of your addiction. When we sober up, we realize that many of the things we did were not our finest moments, and we feel bad. Moreover, we are embarrassed for being addicted to drugs and alcohol and undeserving of treatment or just being sober. However, we are worthy and everyone who is sober has been in your situation. Let those people love you until you can learn to love yourself. It just takes time.

4. Change Your Ways

You can’t expect to have the same routines, go to the same places, and hang out with the same people and get sober! In fact, sobriety provides an opportunity to reset your life. Instead of hanging out in bars, many guys channel the new energy into exercise or reading or another interest. This is also not easy, but you will need to ballast those people, places and things that are associated with your substance use disorder.

5. Put Your Recovery Comes First

Men should go with what they know is best for themselves, which can be challenging for some to figure out. Recovery needs to be put first (so everything else doesn't come last). It is important to prioritize sobriety because for many, their life depends on it.

Using these instructions, men in addiction recovery can regain their health and positive outlooks for their future. Treatment and recovery for men with addiction are serious situations. For many men, it becomes a matter of life or death.

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Top Five Tips for Early Recovery

Matthew Koenig — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:56:20 +0000

You’ve gone to detox, completed rehab and your world has changed in real time. Everything you did and was before is now different. You may find yourself questioning if you’ll ever have fun again. It might even be desirable to hide under a rock and away from the world for a bit. The sober, new you is raw and delicate! You may think that everyone is whispering about you. Without drugs or alcohol, life just got up-close and personal. Early recovery is a time of change.

Your chances of a building a sober foundation depend on truthfulness, willingness, and your capacity to be teachable. In treatment, most can talk a good game, but now your home and everyone around you is hoping that you are the real deal!

Below are five top tips that will greatly boost your chances of remaining clean (and become happy).

Join a 12-Step Support Group

A 12-step support group is a community of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope, with each other. Here, you will be greeted with open arms and a lot of hugs. The 12-steppers have walked in your shoes and can provide great insight to recovery from every addiction on the planet. They can offer the relief you once found in drugs. Revealing your story with someone who’s been there, supports healing and responsibility.

Remain TEACHABLE

In treatment, many people let down their guard and appear more open when they are not feeling well. However, when you are back to health and your fighting spirit is back it may create an obstacle. To be successful in your newly sober world, you must cease doing things your way. Remember, your best thinking got you into trouble in the first place. Instead, surrendering your self-will can help you heal and recover more rapidly. Now is the time to let someone else steer the ship for a while.

Keep it in the Present

Early days in recovery can feel like an eternity and creates an opportunity for all kinds of future projections. You didn’t get into addiction overnight, so don’t expect all your problems to go away immediately. Rather than trying to get through the entire day, break it down into smaller increments. The struggle isn’t in your day – it’s in your head. With practice the technique is simple. Pick up the phone to a sober support or go to a meeting. Whatever you’re feeling, ask for advice. Keep breathing and remind yourself why you chose recovery. Then take it one minute, one hour, or one day, at a time. The only thing you need to do is the next right thing!

Exercise

Exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. It boosts your self-esteem and promotes sleep. It also boosts energy, supports a healthy appetite, and releases tension. Just thirty minutes of physical activity a day will help battle fatigue, depression and decrease anxiety. Post-acute withdrawal can go on for the first few months of your recovery. You may feel flat until your dopamine receptors are properly restored. Exercise may bridge the gap faster and (besides) you’ll feel better.

Help Others

When you help others, you concentrate on someone else and the things they are going through. And suddenly you stop thinking about the things on your mind that create stress. Helping another person creates emotions of connection, belonging, and value. Helping another person will do wonders for your self-worth and make you feel good. It’s that feeling that will inspire you to stay sober one day at a time!

Recovery is a gift. It requires honesty, tough work, and dedication. But the freedom and joy you experience, far overshadow the work that’s involved. Your body and mind will feel alive in a new way. You’ll be able to work through issues without having to self-medicate. All your relationships will improve, and you will feel good about yourself.

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People and Places in Early Recovery

Matthew Koenig — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 14:46:12 +0000

Your World Has Changed

Getting detoxified from drugs and alcohol is a top priority when starting recovery. At the same time, changing your behaviors is a necessary step towards sobriety. An important ingredient to behavior change is to break-up from the environment(s) you once knew. Once a person returns home from treatment, it’s advantageous to be mindful of people, places and things that are tied to your addiction.

Learn to Avoid People Who Abuse Drugs or Alcohol

Coming back to your community after treatment means seeing people who you were close to but may present a threat to your sobriety. The notion of seeing old friends likely feels good, but now that you have started a new, sober life, you need to reevaluate the friends in your circle.

Start by considering the people with whom you spend time. This includes family members, friends, coworkers, and more. Ask yourself some questions about your interactions with them. For instance, are they currently using or abusing drugs or alcohol? At the same time, Will they encourage me to stay healthy and make good choices?

Spending time with people who prove to have a positive influence on your life makes a difference. Likewise, the people who present an obstacle to your sober lifestyle need to be ballast from your life.

Avoid the Places Where Addiction Occurred

One of the pleasures of returning home from treatment involves visiting familiar places. Before going out somewhere, contemplate if the place might be a trigger for you. If you connect a favorite restaurant with having several drinks, it may be best to avoid that for now. Look for other restaurants to create new memories in.

Other places that you might associate with drinking can even include a friend’s house where you used or drank alcoholically. Decide if you are ready to add these places back to your life. If the desire to indulge in drinking or using is too strong, you’ll need some new, sober spots to hang out in. This will not be easy, but it is necessary for the time being.

Be Careful about Dating in Early Sobriety

For those who are single, most professionals recommend their patients avoid getting involved in a relationship too early in recovery. Some even suggest waiting one year. When you do feel ready to join the dating world, be cautious about those prospects and how they may affect your recovery. For example, if a dating profile indicates a person is a daily drinker and is “420” friendly, then you should pass on this type of lifestyle.

You may also feel a natural gravitation toward someone who is in recovery. A lot of people meet and date in 12-step programs. However, make sure that they have a strong footing in recovery. A person who has a shaky recovery can easily influence someone who is in love with them.

You may also begin dating someone who has never dealt with addiction issues. Be upfront that your recovery is your top priority. Without this understanding, it may seem logical to them to say “why don’t you have just one drink with me” or ask you to skip a meeting to do another activity with them. Statements like these would indicate that your sobriety is not their priority. By the way, it’s not their problem, but it is yours so be mindful and vigilant. Your future self will thank you for it!

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How Your Addiction Affects Others

Matthew Koenig — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 15:45:24 +0000

People who are addicted to drugs often believe that their addiction is only harming themselves. They may even justify self-destructive behavior by stating it’s not affecting anyone but them, and therefore, it shouldn’t be a problem for anyone else. However, this is a selfish, self-serving opinion. In fact, addiction does impact those around someone suffering substance use disorder: it creates serious concerns and hardships. Furthermore, it can be just as destructive to family and friends as it is to the person abusing drugs. If you’re in active addiction, your predicament is also a problem for those closest to you.

Addiction is NOT All About You

Addiction drives a wedge between people. Addiction produces a disconnect in your brain and reduces a person’s interest to one thing – drugs! When your focus is drugs, it’s hard to even realize that you’re ignoring your loved ones. This leads to strained relationships because you’ve gone past normal limits and treated your loved ones badly. Addiction also causes you to lose interest in the things you once loved. What’s more, you may not even know you are disconnected to those around you when it’s obvious to everyone else.

Addiction demolishes trust. Addicts are typically deceitful. They lie, steal, and use others in serve their selfish needs. Over time, trust is lost, and friends and family members stop believing the person and begin to shield themselves by putting up walls.

Addiction creates chaos. Relationships become tense due to addict behaviors. This leads friends and family to blame themselves for problem, which can lead to their own set of mental health issues.

Addiction is difficult to understand. Unless you have a lot of experience with addiction problems, it may be difficult to understand the behaviors of someone who has substance use disorder. Addiction can change the chemistry of the brain, causing the person to make poor decisions that are not rational. Typically, addicts put themselves in dangerous situations and loved ones get caught in the crossfire of these bad decisions. Family members often shake their heads not understanding how any normal person would make these choices.

Addiction turns you into a different person. Because drugs modify a person’s brain chemistry, addiction changes the way people act. You may find yourself becoming more defensive, and you may even be cruel or hostile to those around you.

Some relationships may be shattered altogether. The anxiety and tension placed on relationships by addiction are severe, and in some cases, can lead to absolute destruction. People with substance use disorder are quantifiably more likely to get divorced, and addiction can create closed doors for some relationships forever.

Once you realize the effect your addiction is having on your loved ones, you may feel hopeless. Fortunately, that’s not true when real positive change occurs. It is viable to fix fractured relationships, but it will require genuine effort on your part. Just like overcoming addiction, fixing the connections that have been shattered is a challenging process, but it’s worth it. The first move towards restoring your relationships is getting help for your drug or alcohol addiction.

The post How Your Addiction Affects Others appeared first on South Florida Drug Rehabilitation | Simple Path Recovery.

The Real Cost of Drugs

Matthew Koenig — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 15:38:10 +0000

Drugs Cost More Than You Think

If you are speculating about the costs of drugs, you may be thinking about the costs of purchasing prescription drugs or illicit ones like heroin, cocaine, meth etc. For people who have health insurance, prescription drugs such as Oxycodone or Percocet might be nominal co-pays. However, these are hard to come by in an era of strict prescription drug legislation aimed at curtailing the opioid epidemic. While it is tricky to determine the exact price of street drugs, we know that prices can fluctuate based on location and demand. For example, when Homeland Security or the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) seize enormous shipments of Fentanyl, street supplies dwindle, and this scarcity drives up costs. This is simple supply and demand economics.

Notwithstanding the cost variance among different drugs, it is prudent to say that drug abuse and addiction is more costly than most can imagine.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug addiction costs the United States over $740 billion each year, including costs related to crime, lost work output and medical care.

The Steep Cost of Drug Abuse

While the daily / weekly / monthly cost of drugs can range from 100’s to 1000’s, it is nothing compared to the total impacted cost to you, your family, employer, community, and the federal government.

For instance, drug addicts tend to miss a lot of work and companies pay for sick days, but lose the productivity for that time lost. Also, sooner or later, drug addiction will find a person on the wrong side of the law who will then incur legal fees associated with drug-related criminal charges. At the same time, addiction has skyrocketed insurance costs that pay direct and indirect fees related to consequences like overdose, liver problems or disease from sharing needles. All these things must be paid for, and someone must pick up the tab.

Health insurance claims related to substance abuse have increased sharply over the last decade. Prior to 2010, claims relating to addiction used to represent 2%-3% of total healthcare claims for the insurance industry. Today, it is more than double that which translates to billions of dollars in increased claims. Lastly, it’s not uncommon for parents to empty their savings account or take out a second mortgage on their house in order to help their addicted child get better. Get the picture?

Consequences of Drug Addiction

Outside the costs related with buying drugs, you will likely suffer numerous consequences of drug addiction. It is likely that your relationships will suffer when you become more interested in drugs than being with your family. You may also find that you have lost interest in hobbies you once enjoyed and cannot get anything done because you are wasting so much time looking for and using drugs.

You are also going to crave drugs and when you do not have enough of them in your body, you will begin to suffer withdrawal symptoms, pushing you to spend even more money on drugs. Also, abusing drugs likely puts you at risk of unsafe behavior, such as driving impaired. This can lead to destructive outcomes, including collisions, injuries, jail, and even death. While this may go without saying, you might also have a fatal overdose. Obviously, addiction's negative consequences reach far beyond the high costs of the drugs themselves.

Getting Help for Addiction

If the high prices of drugs have got you down, chances are you are suffering other adverse impacts of drug addiction that have led you to ask for help.

No matter what your reason is for seeking addiction treatment, it is important to select a treatment program that meets your individual requirements.

At Simple Path Recovery, we create personalized treatment plans that accommodate to your distinctive circumstance. We leverage best-in-breed evidence-based treatment, which includes medication assisted treatment, along with a variety of treatment modalities. As a top South Florida boutique rehab, we offer a low client-therapist ratio of only 4:1. Clients come from all over the United States to find an intimate atmosphere of hope, healing, and recovery.

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