"Recovery" versus "sobriety" (from excerpts in "The Little Book - Alcoholism, Drug Addiction & Recovery Made Simple!")

        Much of the general public understands "recovery" from alcohol/drug addiction as simply "not using anymore", a.k.a. a life of "sobriety."  This belief actually describes the "state of being sober," which is abstaining from the use of alcohol/drugs and/or other mood altering substances.  "Sobriety" is all about maintaining your focus on saying "NO" to drinking/drugging, saying "NO" to hanging out with your old user buddies, saying "NO" to going to the old places where you use to use.  It is a life of "no's" and "avoidance" achieved in one's own "power".  "Sobriety" is NOT "recovery". The result of sobriety without recovery is a restless, irritable, discontented, bored life, which most of the time will lead back to using again . . . 
       True "recovery" includeds "sobriety" but the focus is different.  In Recovery, the focus is on saying "YES" to connecting to your Higher Power/God on a daily basis, and allowing His power to transform your life.  With the obsession for using alcohol/drugs removed because of this connection, you don't have to say "NO" to the old things, as you don't want to do them anymore. 

You have healthy new wants and desires which create an active, thriving life.  Yes, it is still wise not to engage in the "NO's" of sobriety, but it is NOT your main focus.  In "recovery", the former addiction/alcoholic is focused on learning how to live life to its fullest without the use of alcohol/drugs, and doing this in the context of a "recovering" community.  
                                            (p.31 of "The Little Book)

My mom, never found "recovery", although she found long periods of "sobriety".  I hope you find "recovery" and the "great life" that God has created you for!  God Bless You!

CJD