Is Recovery From Addiction different from Abstinence?

[Growing Hope & Recovery]

As a recovering Compulsive Gambler I have considered that the process of recovery is different for everyone but also that some claim recovery when all they really have is Abstinence.

When I have no money or resourceful way to continue my addiction for a time I am in abstinence. Looking back on my first 4 years I was abstinent but really had not changed anything about me. I became addicted to being recognized for the time and could say all the right things

 

[Growing Hope & Recovery]

As a recovering Compulsive Gambler I have considered that the process of recovery is different for everyone but also that some claim recovery when all they really have is Abstinence.

When I have no money or resourceful way to continue my addiction for a time I am in abstinence. Looking back on my first 4 years I was abstinent but really had not changed anything about me. I became addicted to being recognized for the time and could say all the right things

But that was just Abstinence to me. It was not until I realized that Recovery is not about what I said but what I demonstrated as a change in my behavior. For me recovery is more than just stopping my addiction it is making a change in me.

 

[Maks25]

There are several other addictions which many people are victims of and are to ashamed to talk about it like Sex, watching pornooo, inability to stay loyal in a relationship(this can be addictive too), staying up late at night and the internet addiction isn't excluded!
Staying away from these is abstinence. So abstaining is the cure for addiction