Many people have a “lightbulb moment” in an addiction treatment program, when they have a breakthrough and can see their substance abuse problems more clearly. They are able to move forward and make a leap of progress.

They recognize the truth about their situation and see how they can change their life for the future. It is often then that the real decision of abstinence is made. These moments can be one of the best parts of rehab program, but it’s important to realize that the vast majority of change is not like that.Successful addiction recovery consists of a long series of tiny changes lined up together. You can’t change your entire lifestyle all in one flash. Drug and alcohol detox is a big and necessary step. Then there is a rehab program, in which you will deal with the past and learn the skills that are necessary for creating a new future. During and after the treatment program, you have to put these new skills and habits into practice. It can’t all happen overnight. Your self-esteem comes back the same way it was probably lost—one step at a time. The same thing happens with family relationships, creating structure in your life, managing stress and anger, and everything else that you must do for addiction recovery.

This is one of the reasons why they have the saying “one day at a time”. If you try to bite off more than you can chew, you are putting yourself at risk of relapse. It’s much better to maintain commitment and consistency over a long period of time. If you do this, you are well on your way to a successful outcome from a drug and alcohol addiction treatment program. You probably became involved in substance abuse one step at a time, and you have to overcome it in the same way.

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