You don’t need to feel ashamed, but you do need to get help right away. Never be ashamed of your behavior, and never try to hide your slip from the people that care about you. Speak with your family, speak with your therapist; speak with anyone who you think can help! Increase the intensity of your aftercare support, stay close to family for a while, and chalk it up to a learning experience.
Addiction recovery is a process, and it can take a long time. Many people will need recurrent treatment throughout their life to deal with the temptations that lead to slips and full blown relapses. Get the help you need and do what's necessary to get sober. I've been to rehab twice, and although I think I'm done, I know that I can’t guarantee myself that I'll never again use or never again require professional treatment. I know that I'm powerless over my addiction and that I can only hope to control it, and will never truly beat it. I accept this as truth…but I work determinately to save myself and my family the pain that my use always brings.
If you fall down, lift yourself up and carry on. Everyone makes a mistake, but it takes real courage and strength to take responsibility for your actions, and get the help you need whenever you need it.
page last update Aug 05, 2010
