Question by The Curmudgeon: Can a recovered alcoholic ever have a drink again, even after 40 years of sobriety?
If someone is an alcoholic but has stopped drinking, can they safely have a drink after they’ve been clean for an extended period of time, say like 40 years? I’ve heard that a recovered alcoholic can never have another drink ever as the cravings will hit them just as bad as if they hadn’t stopped drinking.

Are there any studies out there on this subject?

Best answer:

Answer by Thirteen16
Im a recovering meth addict and I have been through a couple years worth of behavior modification and addiction classes. One thing they teach you is there is no such thing as “Recovered” addicts or alcoholics, you are always recovering. It’s hard to understand if it’s not yourself, but addicts have a different wiring system in their brain. Maybe someone who has been sober for 40 years can have a drink or two and not pick it up again. But what that does is reinforces the behavior. The addict starts conditioning them self to believe that they are ok. They have handled a couple drinks maybe four or five times and nothing has happened, even they can start getting friends and family members to start believing its ok now. It is really dangerous. It sneeks right back up if they dont have the understanding to step away and look at the choices they are making and where they are leading. It happened to me. I would say to someone who has made it through 40 years, that they owe it to them self to go 40 more. And if its outside influence causing high risk thoughts about having a drink, seek support through friends or family and be open about their struggle. Hope I helped 🙂

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Addiction Recovery and the Power of Service
Recovery is built on the foundation of service–addicts helping one another–but there are five simple ways that you can assist in this cycle of service as well. Five Ways to Assist A Recovering Addict. 1. Donate gently used clothes. As the seasons … Read more on ChicagoNow (blog)

5 Tips for Managing Triggers during Addiction Recovery
Kate Green is an addiction treatment specialist currently helping people in recovery at Balboa Horizons Treatment Services. Like this author? Catch up on other posts by Kate Green (or subscribe to their feed). Read more on PsychCentral.com (blog)

SFUSD launches program to help recovering student addicts
SAN FRANCISCO —. San Francisco's Civic Center Secondary School Tuesday afternoon held an open house to address an illness many young people have trouble opening up about: drug addiction. The San Francisco Unified School District — in partnership … Read more on KTVU San Francisco

Addiction recovery programs heal through love
OGDEN — There isn't a person alive who can't identify with experiencing pain in their life. But some former addicts say the means they chose to dull that pain caused them and their families untold grief. And they want to help others find their way out … Read more on StandardNet

New recovery program targets drug addiction in Unicoi County
Recover Appalachia has support group meetings every Thursday evening for anyone suffering from what Aldrich called a “life-controlling problem.” She also said that through the recovery support program, she hopes to get those affected by drug addiction … Read more on Johnson City Press (subscription)

Program helps people recover from addiction
About 14 months ago when he and his wife, Tiffany, walked through the doors of a local Christ-centered recovery program he knew they were in the right place. Johnson and his wife started attending Celebrate Recovery at Covenant United Methodist Church … Read more on Gadsden Times

The Sweetest Thing Part III
October marks seven years of being clean and straight thanks to the LDS Addiction Recovery Program, and I just want to share with you that the only way to overcome our addictions is through coming to the Savior.” My heart stopped and a hush came over … Read more on Meridian Magazine

Question by Noa Bach: What is the difference between a mental health counselor, social worker, or psychologist?
I’m not sure what I want to do. But I know I want to provide counseling to all types of people (children, teens, adults, elderly) my main goal is to help heal them so this can end up healing the Planet 🙂
Don’t want to do any type of testing. I want to help children dealing with bullying, childhood trauma, etc. Adults that need healing from abuse, self-esteem, depression, family problems, sexuality issues etc.

Best answer:

Answer by Weird.
Mental health counselor (clinical psychologist) works with people who have schizophrenia and OCD
and much more

Social Worker works with kids, teens, and adults dealing with troubled living situations and such

Psychologists go in to depth with the patient and can work in a variety of environments, they also prescribe patients when needed.

You sound like you want to be a counseling psychologist which is different from a clinical psychologist. You should look into it more.

Give your answer to this question below!

Drug Detox Passaic Creates New Customized Treatment Programs
Drug Detox Passaic announced the restructuring of its treatment programs to fit the needs of each patient seeking help in overcoming addiction. The new alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs have been designed to give patients more personalized … Read more on Newsday

Cutting-edge New Treatments are Helping People Get Sober at Drug Rehab …
Alex R., an addiction specialist at Drug Rehab Winter Haven, was concerned when he saw the influx of patients seeking his help for an addiction to dangerous opiate-based pain medications like Vicodin or Oxycodone. He realized that many of these people … Read more on PR Web (press release)

Drug Rehab Announces Services Now Available in Los Angeles Through Drug …
A new drug rehab in Los Angeles is offering free consultations for people seeking relief from their drug addiction and a new way to live. To get help and receive immediate help, call (888) 444-9148. Drug rehabilitation allows adults and adolescents a … Read more on PR Web (press release)

Question by Hello There: Is the recovery from bulimia in a 12 step program drastically different than Alcoholics Anonymous?
I had a friend tell me that in ABA for example- you don’t start counting days again if you purge again, and that the road to recovery isn’t complete abstinence from binging and purging, but reaching a level of manageability in which you ‘get back on the horse’ when you purge after a period of refraining. I was alarmed, but intrigued by her statements and wanted to find out if this was the case- since I’m so AA biased.

Best answer:

Answer by thebigz
there is over eaters antonymous in a 12 step program but as far as i know there is no program for bulimia you can make your program around the two where you are now and the oa program and see if that works if you like the 12 step program

Good Luck

What do you think? Answer below!

5 Tips for Managing Triggers during Addiction Recovery
… can lead you right to a drink. There is no need to test yourself. When you identify your current triggers, are aware of what you are working with, practice a plan, and employ good self-care, you are managing your triggers during recovery from … Read more on PsychCentral.com (blog)

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Navigating a Relationship with a Sex Addict
I let them know that their main tasks are to learn to focus on themselves, stop obsessing on the addict's behaviors, and practice self-care. In the early stages of recovery, partners often find it hard to believe what the addict says. That is why it is … Read more on PsychCentral.com (blog)

Fighting Addiction: National Drug, Alcohol Recovery Month emphasizes …
We always say we have it in us to take care of it ourselves.” The center … Arakaki said this includes both those seeking help in recovery of alcoholism and drug addiction as well as those taking classes about the lasting impacts of a substance abuse … Read more on DVIDS

The Hope and Hurt: Living and Dying in Addiction
I've knocked on death's door numerous times as a result of being an addict and spent more time in detoxes, rehabs, psychiatric hospitals and jails than I care to remember. And yet, for whatever … I attribute the better part of these past two years … Read more on Huffington Post

Gaps in prescription drug abuse treatment exist despite Missoula effort
The Prescription for Addiction series is the first project in a partnership between the Missoulian and KECI-TV intended to bring to our audiences the journalistic skills and expertise of our combined newsrooms. Over the past several months, reporters, … Read more on Ravalli Republic

Krokodil use reportedly spreading: What makes dangerous drug so addictive?
He also pointed out that addiction recovery shouldn't just focus on getting the addict to kick the drug, but also on the emotional issues that made the person turn to drugs in the first place. Otherwise, most of these recovering addicts will just … Read more on CBS News

Lunesta Addiction and Lunesta Abuse

Addiction Recovery and the Power of Service
As the seasons change, you may clean out your closet, a good way to assist is to donate those old clothes to a drug and alcohol treatment center. Many recovering addicts show up only with the clothes on their backs or a garbage bag half full. And … Read more on ChicagoNow (blog)

Natural recovery: For three decades, the Wilderness Treatment Center has …
Natural recovery: For three decades, the Wilderness Treatment Center has rehabilitated addicts in the outdoors. Oct. 9, 2013 |. Comments · Tweet. Email; Print; Share. LinkedIn; Tumblr; StumbleUpon; Reddit; Del.icio.us; Digg. A; A. Clinical Director … Read more on Great Falls Tribune

Drug Rehab Center Xenia Restructures Addiction Treatment Programs
Drug Rehab Center Xenia understands that there are many reasons an addict would be hesitant to seek help from a treatment center. With a variety of comprehensive and customizable treatment plans now available at Drug Rehab Center Xenia, anyone can … Read more on PR Web (press release)