How Transformations Occur in Recovery

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How Transformations Occur in Recovery
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How Transformations Occur in Recovery1. 12
Step Program2. Personality Shifts3. Physical
Shifts4. Social Shifts5. Financial Hardships
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1. 12 Step Program
One very traditional transformation in early
recovery is characterized by the 12 step program
and can be described as a spiritual experience.
Belief in a higher power is the first part, and
putting your trust into that higher power is the
next part.  The idea behind 12 step programs is
to work through a series of steps that brings the
person to this spiritual conversion.  Before this
transformation they had no belief, and
afterwards, they do.
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2. Personality Shifts
Beyond this traditional spiritual experience are
things such as personality shifts. A person who
used to be angry, selfish, or engaged in constant
self pity might experience a shift in their
personality such that they are now more positive,
caring, and understanding of others.  This can be
just as profound and no less miraculous than
other forms of transformation.  It can also be
just as beneficial in some cases.
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3. Physical Shifts
Other lifestyle shifts might include physical
ones. For example, a person might quit smoking,
start eating healthier meals, and start
exercising on a regular basis.  Again, this may
be just as profound a shift as any other that
they might be seeking in early recovery.
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4. Social Shifts
Significant shifts might occur on a social front
as well. Consider someone who is immersed in the
drug culture and is surrounded by people who use
or drink.  They might move into a long term
treatment center, make new friends, leave the old
culture behind completely, and thus experience a
social transformation that is as significant and
powerful as anything else in this article.
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5. Financial Hardships
In long term recovery, maybe a person has plenty
of clean time and no longer struggles to stay
clean and sober, but they suffer financial
hardship due to poor spending habits.  Maybe they
read a decent book about finance, resolve to make
changes with their spending and their money, and
make huge strides in this area, completely
transforming their financial life.  Again, this
is a major shift that can have a huge impact on
someones overall happiness and well being.
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Key Points from above Ideas1. At Root Every
Ides is Spiritual2. Holistic Growth
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5. At Root Every Idea is Spiritual
Do not get wrapped up in the idea that a
spiritual experience is your only path to success
in recovery. If you dig deep enough into ANY of
the ideas above, you will actually see that all
of them are spiritual at their root.  For
example, most spiritual texts or biblical
teachings would advise you to exercise (treat
your body like a temple, etc.) and be responsible
with your money, and so on.  Each one of the
potential transformations falls under the
spiritual umbrella.
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5. Holistic Growth
Many people make the error in early recovery of
focusing ONLY on spiritual growth.  This is a
mistake, as closing themselves off to all sorts
of growth opportunities that are actually
spiritual in nature.  For example, vigorous
exercise is as spiritual as meditation is, the
only way is to exercise consistently for a long
time until it becomes natural for you to do.  At
that point it is as powerful as most meditation
techniques.  You find growth and progress in
areas that you do not expect them, simply by
taking positive action.
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