The saying "time heals all wounds" can be of comfort to the addict in early addiction recovery and many find it to be true. Drug alcohol addiction can do significant harm to an individual's body, mind and relationships. Time does a lot to help an addict recover from drug alcohol addiction. With adequate addiction treatment, counseling, involvement in a 12-step fellowship and avoiding a relapse, addiction recovery can be long term.

But drug alcohol addiction has damaged the addict's family and relationships. Usually, those closest to an addict suffer the effects of their drug alcohol addiction. It is never easy to watch a family member lose everything because of an addiction. Equally difficult is the frustration experienced when the addict refuses to let you help them get help; this can cause enormous damage and strain on your relationship. Even when an addict does recover it is not always easy to rebuild a relationship with family.

Once an addict begins to recover from their addiction, it does offer hope in restoring broken families and relationships. Neither the addict nor the affected family members should expect things to go back to normal immediately. It will take time, honesty from both, good choices and continued addiction recovery to regain trust.

Forgiving is easy -- forgetting may be much more difficult. A change of heart will mean going beyond the decision to forgive, to letting go of all the resentment and hurt; this requires lots of patience and undergoing family or individual therapy can also be helpful in this process.

Both the recovering addict and family members should make firm decisions to reform their mindsets as well as ways of life. If the family kept alcohol in the home, they should commit to removing it to prevent possible relapse in a recovering addict. Change is not always easy but it is necessary in providing respect and support to a recovering addict.

Last but not least, staying clean does not have to be a dreary experience; it can actually be fun. Recovery from drug alcohol addiction can be incorporated with such activities as dinners, dances or picnics. An addict must be allowed to socialize in a healthy environment with friends. They can play sports or take part in other social activities like hiking, windsurfing or theater. So long as they steer clear from alcohol drugs, maintaining addiction recovery can be enjoyable.