| In order to get off drugs, really get off drugs, and | | | | finish and say, 'Done'. |
| not just switch your addiction to another addictive | | | | You need help |
| substance, you need five things: | | | | This does not necessarily mean signing up at a |
| The guts to look at the situation as it is | | | | Narconon program or some other center for drug |
| Nothing will happen until you face the truth about | | | | detox and rehab, but it might. |
| your addiction. If you think this is not a necessary | | | | More often, this would be the help of a friend who |
| step, think again. When I say you need to face the | | | | cares about you or a parent or spouse. Getting |
| situation AS IT IS, that is exactly what I mean. Be | | | | through the toughest days will be much easier if you |
| honest about what you are doing and how much you | | | | have someone with which to share. But if needed, |
| use or feel the urge to use. | | | | getting professional treatment that will not simply |
| Until you see what is really happening, you will not | | | | throw more drugs at the problem must be done and |
| have the strength to quit. Nor will you have a strong | | | | you might as well just, "git 'er done". |
| enough purpose to go through what you must go | | | | Finally, there must be a purpose in your life |
| through. | | | | You need something to do, and it has to be real and |
| The decision to stop drinking or using drugs | | | | it also needs to be a positive thing that carries your |
| This could be a very quick step. It might already be | | | | life forward in a direction you can be proud of. |
| done at this point. But if it is missing, skip all the rest | | | | Usually this purpose is already right in front of you; a |
| of your efforts. You will fail. | | | | family; children to raise and care for; a wife or |
| You need a plan | | | | husband who needs you to be 100%. If there is no |
| Any project or endeavor, no matter how large is | | | | such purpose, no goal or accomplishment that is |
| done a step at a time. Lay out the different things | | | | powerful enough to keep you occupied, get one. If |
| you need to do to make your recovery actually | | | | you do not, your addiction will basically be on hold, it |
| happen. I mean write them on a paper and keep it | | | | will simply be just be waiting for you to trip or have |
| with you. It can be really simple, as long as each step | | | | a bad day. |
| of the plan is something you actually do. Be careful | | | | There are many other things that can help an addict |
| not to include steps like, "Think about what getting | | | | beat addiction, but with these five ingredients, your |
| stoned did to me." You cannot DO a step like, "Stay | | | | recovery will be swift and eventually, complete! |
| away from the bar." It is not something you can | | | | |