RECOVERY HELP (is for everyone)
 Who is this section really for?
 Ultimately the RECOVERY ROAD section is for:
1. Meth Users to learn how to help themselves and make a better life for themselves. Users who sign up are automatically able to access the Virtual Treatment Program. The VTP is online addictions counseling for meth users. It is ideal for those who do not have access or traditional treatment, or as ongoing support for those in recovery.
2. The RECOVERY ROAD section is also for Family Members, husbands, wives, girlfriends, and boyfriends of users - the people who care and want to help someone else recover. It gives you the answers to the most common question: HOW DO I HELP MY LOVED ONE? It is family members (like you) who are the largest percentage of donors supporting this site and making both the free information and the RECOVERY ROAD section available for everyone. Thank you!
3. Lastly, this section is for Professionals who work with methamphetamine users, as it contains "best practice" recovery information that is based on what really works.
Why should I pay to access the RECOVERY ROAD section?
Simply because you are sincere about wanting to help yourself or your loved ones. Your $25.00 donation gives you access to the latest and best recovery methods and techniques. Honest information and real actions that you can do to help yourself and your loved ones.
What if I do not want to, or cannot afford to pay?
There is a lot of free information on this website. Most of your specific questions can probably be answered in the Go Ask Alice section fro the Meth Info link. I really wish that I could offer all the information for free, but simply cannot afford it. However, I have never refused access to a Meth User who sent me an email explaining their situation and who was sincere about wanting to help themselves.
Can you tell me a bit more about what the RECOVERY ROAD section contains?
Yes, just keep reading below.
The Journey is the Destination!
There is no "secret formula" - and no "right way" of recovering. The stages listed here are simply a guideline or path that can be followed. Each person is unique and each situation is different. The Key is to figure out what works for you and your loved ones! Is everybody worth saving? You bet! Are there things that you can do to help an addict? Yes!
What is an addiction?
An intense need, desire, or physical craving to continually use or abuse a substance even when it is harming our spirit, mind and body.
Most people do not believe that they are addicted until they try to control their substance use or stop completely.
Who can get addicted?
Anyone who can eat, drink, or breathe (smoke), and has a brain can become a drug addict or alcoholic. Drinking alcohol or using drugs is easy. Dealing with life - is what is not always easy.
Why do people get addicted?
We drink, eat, and breathe to survive. Part of living is gaining new experiences, growing as a person from being dependent on our parents to become independent adults. We grow, feel, share, think, and understand more as we mature. Part of what makes life worthwhile, is achieving success in all areas of our lives. We all experience many things in life, both good and bad. To want more of the good and less of the bad is normal. Alcohol or drugs can be used to enhance the good times or avoid dealing with the bad times. However, when we use alcohol or drugs as the main solution to life's challenges, we stop growing and start dying as a person. Learning to enjoy life, and deal with our challenges and problems without using alcohol or drugs; is how we stay nondependent and free.
Our Recovery Philosophy: Creative Recovery - A model for everyone.
Principles of Addiction - Our basic philosophy about substance use and recovery. Also traditional philosophy about substance use and recovery.
Who is Responsible? - Grace and Forgiveness, Legally Responsible, Morally Responsible,
Levels of Substance Use - What kinds of problems is the substance use causing? (Starting to look at what kinds of effects or problems the substance use is creating.)
Signs of Substance Abuse - User Denial, Family Member Denial, Enabling, Codependency, Personality changes, Immaturity (avoiding responsibility) Self-Esteem, Suicide attempts, Changes in Relationships, Lack of Motivation, Changes in Thinking, Concentration & Memory, Values and Beliefs, Denial & Lying, Changes in Sleeping and Eating patterns, Reckless & Impulsive behavior, Changes in Physical Appearance and Health, Changes in Personal Habits and Activities, Mental and Behavioral Changes, Arising Legal Problems.
Using the Intervention Bell Curve (Learning to assess the situation)
The following chart, is to be used to help the substance user (SU) and helpers to think about what level of intervention or (treatment) assistance the SU needs to be able to help themself. The important factor is that the SU is an Active Agent (active participant) in their recovery. The shaded area represents the hypothetical positive effects of any one program.
Thus, someone further to the left on the chart, may need significantly more outside assistance (or a number of interventions and treatment programs) to facilitate them getting to a point where they are able to help themselves. Once a person is "over the hump" they have built up enough personal resources to be able to seek out and obtain the assistance or support they need to continue on their road to recovery.
Multi-Dimensional Model of Change & Major Life Areas
The Multi-Dimensional Model of Change (MDMoC) is process focused, and life centered. It incorporates Prochastka's Model of Change as a way of looking at the stages that form the process of recovery.
The MDMoC also incorporates a Biopsychosocial Spiritual appraoch, and looks a the substance user's Major Life Areas (Mental, Emotional, Physical, Social, and Spiritual) as the possible reasons or causes of the initial and ongoing substance use; and the belief that achieving healing in these areas will contribute to the process of change and foster permanent recovery behaviors.
Understanding the Model of Change
If you can understand the Model of Change; you can better understand where the drug user is at in terms of their: 1) willingness to make changes, 2) what their needs are, and 3) how to match treatment techniques to client needs. Change is anything that helps the user modify their thinking, feelings, or behavior.
If YOU are the drug user, use this model of change to help you understand the Recovery Process and to encourage you to reach out and get help. Your GOAL is to ultimately help yourself - after all it is your life and your responsibility!
Remember both USERS and HELPERS: It is always better to stop harmful behavior sooner than later.
Techniques for using the Model of Change - These are the process facilitators that help you, your clients or your loved ones, make real changes that move them from one stage to the next.
Helping a Friend - What to do when your friends need your help.
Signs of Student Use/Abuse - What would I notice if a student was using?
Helping a Student - How to recognize student use and what steps to take: Simple Ways to Help, Become a Companion, Set Boundaries, Work as a Team, Working with Difficult Students, Four Steps to Take.
Stages of Change
Precontemplation - "Why should I change?" or "Get off my back?"
The substance user has no desire to cut down or quit. This is usually between 30% to 40% of substance users.
As a HELPER, try to get the user to THINK about the pro & cons of using and the short and long term consequences of using. Is it worth the risks? Be non-judgmental.
As a USER, recognize that "yes", it is your choice to use or not; but realize too that you are making a choice and you are responsible for the choices that you make!
How does the user move to the next stage? Drug education information, awareness of the harmful effects of the drug, personal consciousness raising, look in the mirror.
Are you an Addict? - Questions to help you determine if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Dealing with Denial - How do I go about getting help for him/her, when I know he/she has a problem and has denied it?
Meth Use and Brain Cell Damage (Long term effects to think about.)
Do's & Do not's of loving Meth Addicts (Setting boundaries.)
Differences between Cravings and Withdrawal
Contemplation - "I think something is wrong" or "This is not working"
The user starts to seek out causes and cures. Thinks about making changes. Becomes aware of and admits that current use is causing problems. May not know how to help him or her self. May or may not be willing to accept outside help. This category is also usually between 30% to 40% of substance users.
As a HELPER, you will notice the user is less defensive. They are starting to think about ways to change, and are trying to convince themselves that change is necessary. They may be stuck in their thinking and present as ambivalent.
As a USER, know that your fears of changing are reasonable, after all you started using because it had some perceived benefits. Don't procrastinate too long or your fear of failure might get the best of you. Start by telling yourself that your life without drugs can and will be better - and believe it.
How does the user move to the next stage? Realization about the detrimental effects of drug use, gradual increase in honesty and acceptance of personal responsibility.
Pain Disguised - Using for pleasure, and running from pain!
Top Ten Reasons NOT to use Meth (Lots of lists. Can you create your own list?)
Preparation / Determination - "Don't do today what you can put off until tomorrow" or "I'm psyching myself up to make changes"
The user builds their tools and supports for change.
As a HELPER, try to help the user imagine their life without drugs, and encourage them to build a positive self-vision. Help them to re-evaluate their earlier pros and cons list, and add more good reasons to quit to the list. Allow and encourage them to express their feelings about making changes and help them to value their reasons for doing so.
As a USER, understand that change is hard work and takes effort. Making a decision is a positive step towards real change. Be willing to reach out and ask for help - we all need it, and there is no shame in asking. Believe that you are doing this for you, because you are worth it! You deserve to live and good life, and you can make it happen!
How does the user move to the next stage? User seeks out social alternatives to drug use. User has learned techniques and behavioral tools to help make changes. User gets emotionally aroused, inspired, and "fired-up", ready to put their plan into action!
Dealing with Guilty Feelings (For both Users and Helpers.)
Differences between Enabling and Helping
Action - "I'm giving it a try." or "Here it goes!"
The user begins to follow through with new behaviors.
As a HELPER, encourage and support small changes. Try not to lay guilt trips when the user has small slips. Help the user to follow through with new healthy activities. Help the user to establish new behaviors to replace the old lifestyle. Help the user to counter each trigger situation with a positive healthy response.
Tips for Quitting - Yes there is a simple step-by-step process that you can follow!
Maintenance - "Keep on going!" or "Woo Hoo it's working!"
The user practices established healthy behaviors.
During maintenance, the person works towards consolidating the gains made in action and the proceeding stages. The person also works to prevent relapse. A new lifestyle is built to replace the old behavior. This is a period of continual adjustments and adapting to resist potential trigger situations. The better the person plan is able to flex and respond to internal and external pressures to return to drug use the longer and better they are able to avoid lapse / relapse.
I Still have Cravings - Help for a user who is still experiencing cravings after five months of being clean.
Cravings and Medicine - Will medication help me deal with the cravings?
Helping or Hurting a Person Recover: Get better ok? Soon!
Helping Someone Stay Clean - Helping someone stay clean. How to be supportive. Rewards & Penalties, Getting over the Hump, Looking Ahead, Changing Addictive Thinking, Changing Habits, Dealing with Perceived Loss, Sustaining Recovery.
The user relapses and has to figure out what went wrong. Returns to contemplation, and feels defeated. "Oops, I slipped now what do I do?"
Was the time right to make a change? Are you really sure that this is what you NEED to do? Did you bite off more than you could chew? Not enough community support? Were you over confident, thought it would be easier? Are you ready to try again? What can you do differently to get better results in the future?
Loss & Grieving - Dealing with Loss and Grieving. Why do I still feel so bad?
Stress - Dealing with stress in a healthy way. Yes you really can!
Termination - "There IS life after drugs!"
The former user has built up enough new behaviors to be able to refrain from returning to drug use. Staying free from illegal drugs forever!
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