Signs That Recovery Is Working

By
Howard Love

Howard is an entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of LoveToKnow as well as several other corporations.

Learn about our Editorial Policy.

no-alcohol.jpg
Recovery can work.

While the signs that recovery is working are different for each addict, there are a few common indicators of a successful treatment program. If you recognize any of these signs in a friend or family member, you should support and encourage them in any way possible.

What Are the Signs that Recovery Is Working?

According to doctors, therapists, addiction counselors, and former addicts, the following are some signs that recovery is working:

  • Experts say that you can sense a person's genuine recovery in under a minute. It hits you like a warm breeze. You just want to go hug them with a big smile. You WANT to talk with them and be around them. A person not in recovery will be controversial, contentious and stressful to be around, making you nervous and uncomfortable.
  • Recovery is silent. You will hear a lot less talk and see a lot more walk.
  • One of the classic signs that recovery is working is that a person in recovery has surrendered to the disease. He/she won't be resisting or fighting any part of it.
  • A person in recovery will be changing their friends. Before recovery an addict has a small exclusive group of friends and family around him/her who enables them and contributes toward their disease. A person in a smart recovery program will swap these friends and replace them with others who will support recovery efforts by emulating and encouraging all new required behaviors.
  • Possible change of environment.
  • They will be going to AA and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
  • They will have an AA sponsor and will be in regular contact. If you are close to the addict you will likely see and meet the sponsor.
  • Rather than attempting to control everything in their life, a person in recovery will focus only on his/her treatment for addiction.
  • You will not see a PR effort. Personal PR is what addicts do.
  • You will not see spin control.
  • A person in recovery is genuinely grateful to those who helped them get into recovery. They will shun those who enabled them, but will embrace those who directly confronted the disease.
  • They will be humble and won't stumble.
  • They will stay away from previous hotspots, bars, drug dens, pharmacies, etc. that were associated with pre-recovery behaviors.
Trending on LoveToKnow
The Signs and Symptoms of Different Types of Addiction
The Signs and Symptoms of Different Types of Addiction
Find out what to look for if you or a loved one is struggling with a behavioral or substance use disorder.
Keep Reading
Anorexia Hospitalization Criteria (Medical and Psychiatric)
Anorexia Hospitalization Criteria (Medical and Psychiatric)
Sometimes, people stress about gaining weight. But when someone goes to unhealthy lengths to lose a dangerous amount of weight, something has to change. If you see a loved one who is struggling wit
Keep Reading
Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities
Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities
It's not easy to navigate a new commitment to sobriety or recovery from substance use. Addiction and recovery can cause people to isolate themselves from family members and loved ones. And, it can
Keep Reading
The Benefits of Sobriety Month-by-Month
The Benefits of Sobriety Month-by-Month
Have you questioned your relationship with alcohol? Perhaps you have decided to cut back on your intake or take some time away from drinking in an effort to improve your health. Or maybe you are co
Keep Reading
How to Stay Sober During the Holidays
How to Stay Sober During the Holidays
Have you set a goal to stay sober this holiday season? Celebrations throughout November, December, and even into January offer a myriad of opportunities to be around alcohol. The holidays are also
Keep Reading
The Sober Curious Movement: What It Is and What It Means
The Sober Curious Movement: What It Is and What It Means
Are you one of the many people who noticed an uptick in your alcohol consumption during the pandemic? Statistics gathered by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) showed th
Keep Reading
Overeaters Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is an international program that aims to assist those who have compulsive eating issues. The program consists of 12 steps and is open to anyone who wants to join. The
Keep Reading
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous, otherwise known as NA is an international organization with the goal of helping those who want to remain clean from drug use. This program is made up of people from all differe
Keep Reading
© 2024 LoveToKnow Media. All rights reserved.
Signs That Recovery Is Working