Across the USA, most experienced treatment providers think it best that an addict completely stop using mood altering substances as they begin their journey through treatment.  As this is a tall order, the “one day at-a-time” approach is a good one to follow.  The following are the typical stages of leaving addiction and starting to get healthy again:

1.  Denial:  Typically, addicts start off in denial.  They cannot associate the substance use with their problem.   For example, despite decades of research, case studies, and even tobacco company warnings, a smoker might completely deny that smoking tobacco is bad for them; the drunk might deny that beer can lead to serious physical and mental problems.  Denial is an unconscious mechanism of the mind that keeps a person from becoming overwhelmed when they do not know of another way to deal with a problem.

2.  Admission:  Coming out of denial, an addict can admit that they have a problem, but they are only in the stage of Admission if they are not yet willing to do anything about their problem.

3.  Compliance:  Once a person admits they have a problem, they will agree to certain basic treatment options.  For, example, they might agree to go to a 12-step meeting, they might stop using the substance, or they might leave their unhelpful friends.  They are still in compliance though if they are not happy with the changes.  Supportive friends and family will only ask that the person in early recovery “fake-it till they make it.”  Treatment providers say: “You don’t have to like getting healthy, you just have to do it.”  Around treatment centers, you might also hear:  “You are not responsible for your addiction, but you ARE responsible for your recovery.”

4. Acceptance:  After a while, recovery starts to feel good.  Typically, others will see improvement in the recovering addict before they will themselves.  Soon, the recovering person “gets it.”  They decide that “this is much better then how life used to be.”  They start to like some elements of recovery, their new healthy and reliable friends, their clear head, people being glad to see them, safety and security, etc… They accept that they need to be in recovery.

5. Surrender:  Although “surrender” sounds like giving up control, “surrender” actually refers to giving up the fight to still use the substance.  There is no more negotiation to still engage in potentially harmful behaviors that could lead to relapse.  In this stage of recovery, the recovering addict is enjoying life and builds up a safety net so they will not relapse.  They want to grow, continue self-improvement and mature in life with responsibility and positive adventure ahead.  Frequently, by the time they reach this stage, the recovering addict or alcoholic has given up their selfish focus and they have more of an other-centered approach to life.

There is so much more to say about what happens in each of these stages.  Hazelden and Synapse Corp. are two companies that sell detailed phamphlettes, books, and brochures on detailed aspects of these stages.  12 Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are also good peer support programs that can help a person along the stages of recovery, and of course, good inpatient treatment centers and out patient therapists can be great sources of personalized enlightenment.