One of the many really important concepts about recovery that I sometimes need to repeat back to myself is 'I am my own recovery program'. One aspect of which, is avoiding getting "locked in" to any one program. With respect to the external world, I am very wary of "black and white" thinking. Which can manifest itself in my involvement in a recovery program where I begin to adopt the idea that this is "the solution", which can lead to adopting ideas and behaviors that exclude or restrict my ability to consider other (sometimes very important) opportunities. This may be a sign that I am eroding my healthy dialectic.
So with regard to your own program, let's take a quick moment to focus on you being "the captain of your own ship". Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're deep in early recovery (perhaps as little as just one day); working on transforming yourself away from a particular unhelpful behavior (aka addiction). In any case, while you are indeed going to draw upon various people, places, and things (especially external programs and tools); one practical step forward for me was to adopt "I can do this" as a central mental point of reference. Because my brain IS indeed sufficient for the task at hand and my mind IS the central "tool" that will help me change into "who I want to be". My mind is 100% where I execute my recovery program. All the action is in my head - no one elses!
Which leads to the simple fact that applies to you also: YOU ARE YOUR OWN RECOVERY PROGRAM.
Let's build your confidence up so that statement becomes (or already is) true for you! There's a lot to unwrap with that declaration but for now, a word about external programs.
Recovery Programs
Many people that I have met on my own journey of recovery are not aware of any other methods other than 12 step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Well, it's 2025 and there are presently countless different recovery programs available to us all.
Here are just five, which is truly a very short short list:
1. SMART Recovery - This is (currently) my very much preferred program for recovery from addictive behaviors.
2. Recovery Dharma - A program based on buddhist principles.
3. LifeRing - A program based on personalized and socially connected recovery.
4. Allen Carr's Easyway - Another way...
5. The Harm Reduction Therapy Center - And another way...
The only one of these five programs that I actually endorse myself is SMART recovery. Why? Because it's the one that I have had the most success and experience with. So the main point I am trying to make, is that you and I are on a journey of discovery where we are cooking up our own very different recipes for success and you can pick and choose (and change) the ingredients in your personal program as you decide how you want to proceed. The power of choice is entirely in your hands.
SMART Recovery Meetings
You can find SMART recovery meetings (in the USA): see HERE
For late night USA meetings, it's great to go to Australian meetings: see HERE