What Does Success Look Like?

Busting Addiction and Its Myths

In this article, we discuss what success in recovery should look like. We also dispel the notion of the "success rate" for rehabs.

We make note of the following:

1. A success rate for a rehab is a misnomer because almost all success in staying clean and sober relies on the client's owning his or her own recovery after treatment.
2. We at SafeHouse recognize the responsibility we have for giving our clients the best possible chance of long-term success; that's why we provide all clients with a suite of customized tools and assistance through our We Care aftercare program.
3. "One day at a time" speaks to a deep truth. It means that we can achieve victory over addiction for the long-term, but we can only do it one day at a time. It keeps us focused on the only day that matters today.
4. There are paradoxes we never thought about before recovery. That there is a victory in surrender when we were always taught to fight, that there is liberation in discipline when we thought that discipline meant constraint.
5. Helping other addicts and alcoholics get and stay clean and sober is what we call "The magnificent reality of our fellowship". In so doing, we overcome the intrinsic selfishness that characterized us as sick people, undergoing an essential healing experience, nonetheless.