---------------------THE BIG THREE------------------------ PEOPLE - PLACES - THINGS. If an addict is unable to stay away from the people he or she uses drugs with, the places where drugs are used, and the things associated with drug use, that addict has very little chance of getting and remaining clean. Addicts know this. Family members should know it. Yet addicts often claim that "this time it will be different." For a newly recovering addict it is almost NEVER different. Addicts will say with all sincerity, "I can be with my using friends, but I won't use drugs." Indeed, they are sincere when they make the statement, but the awesome power of addictive drugs IN THE ADDICT'S PRESENCE is too much temptation for almost any addict to overcome. The same is true of going to places where the addict used to buy and/or use drugs. The actual drugs might not be present, but simply being in these places can set up a devastating craving and drug-hunger that can cause the addict to again seek his or her drug. Things are associated with drug use too. Some of these things may be the paraphernalia that goes with certain illicit drugs. Another of the things could be the music that glorifies drug use. There could be videos or games that make drug use seem cool and good. Very simply, the things to avoid are those things which make the addict think of drugs. Long-term recovery requires that drug associated people, places and things MUST be replaced with drug-free friends, healthy activities and a normal routine free of the suggestion or temptation of drug use.

Many addicts have finally found recovery through attending meetings of Narcotics Anonymous. NA is a fellowship of people who have a sincere desire to stop using drugs. It is not a professional group, but each addict shares with others the ways and means they used to enter recovery. It always helps to know that you are not alone in your struggle. Some addicts need professional help to get into recovery from addiction. Professional help ranges from the initial DETOX procedure, to outpatient treatment, to intensive outpatient treatment (3-5 days a week) to inpatient facilities. The type of treatment an addict needs should be discussed with a professional therapist. RECOVERY IS NOT AN EVENT! Lasting recovery takes time, dedication, hard work and patience. The addiction didn't develop overnight, it took time to develop tolerance to the drugs and have the need to use more and more. Recovery will not happen overnight. There may be a relapse on the road to recovery, but the most important thing is to try again. As with all things, PRACTICE WILL MAKE PERFECT. Recovery is a process and the process can begin with the last time an addict used drugs. There doesn't have to be a NEXT TIME. Early recovery can be physically and emotionally painful. Most addicts need help and support. The physical pain is brief and be helped through a DETOX process. The emotional pain is more lasting, but it too can be eased through treatment and the support of self-help groups. The reward is tremendous! The addict gets back his or her life! The addict is free to become the person he or she would have been if drugs had not gotten in the way. This prize is worth more than any jackpot in Las Vegas. Recovery is not a game, but if it was it could be called YOU BET YOUR LIFE.

DANGER TO RECOVERY FROM HEROIN AND OTHER OPIATE ADDICTION!!! The information here concerns heroin and other opiate addiction but it is vital to mention other drugs INCLUDING ALCOHOL. Almost all addicts have a "drug of choice." This is the drug that they prefer above all others. For heroin and other opiate addicts of course, it is heroin and other opiates. When the addict can't get those drugs however, they usually use other drugs: marijuana, alcohol, tranquilizers or any of the many other drugs that are easily available. Too many family members and friends feel that the heroin addict is better off with any drug but an opiate. NOT TRUE! Of course all drugs have some disastrous consequences of their own, but beyond that WHEN MOST HEROIN ADDICTS USE OTHER DRUGS, THEY FIND SOMETHING MISSING. THEY MISS THEIR DRUG OF CHOICE, HEROIN. If the addict has stopped using heroin and other opiates and begins to drink, smoke marijuana or use other drugs they ALTER THEIR STATE OF MIND. With the mind in an altered state, all of the good intentions, the desire to recover, the promises, the hard work, are forgotten. When the addict gets high on ANY drug, sooner or later (usually sooner) he or she will go back to the drug of choice, heroin. Addicts will say that they have to have some pleasure in life. They're right, but the pleasures cannot involve mind/mood altering substances if they're serious about recovery from heroin addiction. Can a recovering opiate addict ever drink socially again? The better question is "Is a drink worth the risk of relapsing into heroin addiction?" To some this will sound very hard and tough. It is reality! If the addict is serious about recovery, he or she must, as self-help programs state, "go to any lengths" to get that lasting recovery. True recovery will show the addict that life is rewarding, happy and immensely enjoyable!