Drug and Alcohol Recovery - You are in charge of your life:

Most people would agree that poor decision making can often lead to involvement in drugs and alcohol, which can then lead to drug and alcohol addiction or abuse. However, what many people fail to realize is that poor decision making in getting someone help for their drug and alcohol addiction can often have devastating effects. There is also something to be said for those who are currently seeking drug and alcohol addiction help at a drug and alcohol recovery center but who fail to comply with the requirements of the program. At Mark Houston Recovery, we believe that you are in charge of your life. We believe that someone who is addicted to drugs and alcohol CAN be a sober person whose life has meaning and value. What separates the “addict” from the “sober individual” is being able to adopt new and healthier ways of working through adversity, learning to look within yourself for answers and interpreting this dynamic world that we live in a more positive way. Call us today at 866.905.4550 so that we can help you get started on your journey to recovery.

The Role of the Family in Drug and Alcohol Recovery

When a loved one finds out that their son, husband, daughter or mother is abusing drugs, often the first thing that pops up is where to point the finger. Families who are experiencing issues with drug and alcohol abuse often are ones in which there is a lot of blame, guilt and shame being thrown around. In an emotionally charged situation, we will often find that a drug or alcohol addict will immediately want to transfer the blame for his or her problem onto someone else. For example, if an addict's parent was a drug user, he or she might blame that parent for their current drug addiction. Still other family members are more than happy to accept fault or blame for another member's drug addiction- even when they may have not caused the problem! Some parents of drug addicts may feel that perhaps they didn't do enough to prevent their child from becoming involved with drugs; they'll refer to themselves as “bad parents”.

Enough is enough.

At Mark Houston Recovery, we let families know that their loved one's drug or alcohol addiction is not their fault. Because drug and alcohol addiction is a disease, your spouse or family member is not to blame any more than someone afflicted with cancer is to blame. And while it is easy to assign blame when you have been hurt or offended, it does absolutely nothing to aid you in the drug recovery process. That being said, the best ways that families can help their loved ones is by providing a strong and positive home environment as well as improving communication through counseling.

You are in Charge of Your Sober Life!

At the end of the day, your recovery from drug or alcohol dependence is ultimately up to you. Most people know what the right decisions to make are. However, what sets us apart as people is not just this inherent ability to distinguish between right and wrong, but to actually follow through with the right decision. For instance, someone who is overweight but chooses to lead a sedentary lifestyle while reaching for that piece of fried food is making a decision that will more than likely negatively impact their lives. Regarding drug abuse and drug addiction, it is slightly different. Drug addiction is not simply a matter of moral weakness or faulty willpower. Rather, it is a vicious cycle that actually causes your brain chemistry to change, which can lead to increased impulses to use drugs or alcohol. Families and friends of addicts need to recognize this fact.

Without help, drug abuse destroys families and may result in premature deaths. However, there is hope. At Mark Houston Recovery, we encourage you to recognize the symptoms of drug abuse and drug addiction and then get that person the help that they need to reclaim their lives. Call us today at 866.905.4550. With the right support and the right recovery center, the staff at Mark Houston Recovery can help you or your loved one get started on the road to recovery.