For some, the process begins with an event, such as entering treatment. For others, the exact start of their recovery is hard to pin down. This chapter examines different pathways to recovery that have worked for many and explains some common pitfalls to recovery. Many people recover from addiction without expert help. Others require extensive assistance from expert professionals.
Many people benefit from a little professional help to bolster their own program of recovery.
Because of this variety, almost anyone can find examples of ways that have worked for others. Moralistic or archaic insurance regulations in some states continue to allow insurers to deny addiction treatment coverage to people who thought they had coverage for any disease. Other may not have any health insurance and public programs may be overcrowded or unavailable. Not being able to afford a treatment program should not prevent most people from getting better. There two key steps, however, that, if not taken, can and do prevent people from getting well.