Motivation Addiction Centers (MAC)
A WORD FROM THE FOUNDER
Congratulations, you're sober! You are here to start a journey that will change your life forever. Before you start, let me ask you a very important question. As you well know, giving up alcohol or drugs or dealing with someone else's addiction took a great deal of courage. But did that single act make you well and in everlasting recovery? For those who have been through the rigors of early treatment, the answer is an obvious "no," but I wanted to bring it up from the very beginning so it won't be forgotten as you proceed along your journey in recovery.
Some of you are starting recovery for the first time. Others have had a few rough spots to get to this point. The rest of you are those who haven't been able to find healthy recovery in spite of all the treatment programs, involvement in AA/NA/CA/OA/GA/ALANON,CODA and any of the other 12 Step programs. Some have had sponsors, worked the 12 Steps, had a Home Group, have gone to church and nothing has helped. God bless you all. Don't give up; the miracle might be taking place right now. In order to find out, you have to take the walk.
This conversion is for those who are struggling in recovery and feel empty and in need of something more than they have gotten. I believe, however, that everyone who partakes in this wonderful spiritual, emotional and physical conversion will be profoundly affected. One thought to those who have never had help previously. If you are suffering from physical and/or emotional withdrawal symptoms, remember, you have a disease and it should be treated before you do anything else. Your community has a list of all the treatment centers as well as outpatient programs and, of course, AA or any of the other 12 Step programs that would fit your need. You are about to take a journey like no other you have taken before. This journey isn't like a vacation where you go away and have fun then return to your old job, old home, old ways. NO - this journey is everlasting, one of conversion, and transformation. Transformation from your addictive self, your addictive beliefs and thoughts, your addictive relationships, your need to control others or be controlled; to your recovery of self, to your spiritual self, to a rational self who believes in him/her self and loves again and can enjoy life without the dependency on whatever it is you're addicted to.
There are words, phrases and concepts that will undoubtedly make you mad and resistant. This is to be expected. Any change causes stress, and some changes cause pain. Please be good to yourself. You deserve to be good to you. Don't allow one or two obstacles along your path of recovery cause you to quit or stall.
VOAI has designed the MAC program for the following :
Addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder, thereby making the prevention of relapse one of the critical elements of effective treatment for alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse. Studies have shown that 54 percent of all alcohol and other drug abuse patients can be expected to relapse, and that 61 percent of that number will have multiple periods of relapse. It is not unusual for addicts to relapse within one month following treatment, nor is it unusual for addicts to relapse 12 months after treatment; 47 percent will relapse within the first year after treatment (Simpson, Joe & Lehman 1986). Although relapse is a symptom of addiction, it is preventable. A key factor in preventing relapse is improved social adjustment. The poor social adjustment by criminal offenders makes them especially prone to relapse and to associated criminal behavior.