RECOVERY

Recovery is a process of change where individuals improve health and wellness over time and strive to live self-directed lives. Recovery is highly personal, yet depends on a village of support — clinical treatment, medication, family and peer relationships.

Long term recovery, is characterized by continual growth while experiencing setbacks, a natural part of life. A person’s recovery is built on their strengths, talents, coping abilities, resources, and inherent values. It is holistic, addressing the whole person and their community, and must be supported by peers, friends, and family members.

It is a complicated, long term process. Resilience is key—to cope with adversity and adapt to challenges or change. Resiliency develops over time giving individuals the capacity to be better prepared for the next stressful situation. Optimism and the ability to remain hopeful are essential in the process of recovery. It is a highly individualized process but at the same time takes a village of relationships and social networks.

NERA-LI recognizes family members and friends often become the champions of their loved one’s recovery. Our Concerned Persons Group offers a structured peer network for the difficult challenges while remaining positive throughout the recovery journey. Set backs are to be expected, it is not a straight line, the goal is to minimize the damage.

SPIRITUALITY plays an important role

Early on, the spiritual element is experienced from belonging to the rooms of 12-step meetings. It is only after safety, belongingness and self-esteem are achieved that self-actualization can take place.
Home — having a stable and safe place to live.
Purpose — conducting meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteering, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income and resources to participate in society.
Community — having relationships and sober networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.

SPIRITUALITY is an intense personal experience

A person’s recovery is built on their strengths, resources and coping skills. It is holistic — addressing the whole person and supported by a community of peers, friends, and family members. Optimism and the ability to remain hopeful are essential in sustaining sobriety. Long term recovery is characterized by continual growth while navigating setbacks — a natural part of life. It’s a lengthy process and resilience is key — to cope with adversity and adapt to challenges.

”The newly sober wrestle with their spirituality, and while the 12-step community wrestles together, members arrive at their own conclusions.” ¹

SPIRITUAL renewal

When abstinence begins there is an empty space once occupied by addiction. After a while, recovered individuals sense a spiritual craving, a void— it’s that transitional space which can open into G-d.²

People in sustained sobriety learn to rely on spiritual instincts to diminish anxiety, personal conflict and maintain faith for the future. Making peace with our spiritual nature establishes meaning and purpose in our lives, essential in preventing recidivism.¹

“It was a pivotal spiritual moment when the vague ‘higher power’ of my 12-step program morphed into religious orientation. It connected the dots of my beliefs, maturing from protecting sobriety, to guiding my spiritual life, the last piece of the spiritual puzzle.” ³

1) Dr. Marc Galanter, Spirituality and the Healthy Mind; Oxford University Press, 2005.

2) Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD, Addictive Thinking, Understanding Self-Deception; Hazelden Foundation, 1999

3) Jane Fox, The Hungry Mother Cafe, Recipes for Recovery; to be published 2021.