Too Young For Recovery?

There are those out there who feel that recovery can only really happen at or after a certain age. The concept is vaguely attached to the idea that the alcoholic/addict must hit absolute bottom for recovery to begin. In other words, to get sober, the alcoholic/addict must experience the loss of everything s/he holds dear or experience life threatening physical challenges in order to get it; "it" being the motivation to change their behavior and thinking, the very fabric of who they are.

It can be this kind of thinking that occasionally dissuades the young person from seeking effective alcohol or drug treatment. However, make no mistake--recovery can be obtained and maintained at any age. Moreover, not every addict has to lose everything in order for the process of recovery to begin. Rock bottom can look different for different people. Perhaps it is the loss of a job; maybe it takes the form of a divorce; to some it might be the estrangement of children.

But to others, rock bottom may be peer disapproval. Or getting arrested for underage drinking. Or getting into a single fight at a concert.

More and more, younger and younger people are beginning at earlier ages to recognize the ways in which alcohol and drugs may be eroding the quality of their lives. And more and more of them are making the choice (not being forced) to do something about it. Age is no longer any kind of a deciding factor. Nor is the extent to which the person has experienced loss. What seems to matter is a willingness to look at pattern of use and it's effect on one's life and decide that change is possible. Regardless of age

Too young for recovery? Never--absolutely not.