Steps, Awareness and Structure

The most accepted tool for recovery from alcoholism and addiction is regular attendance in 12-step meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Developed by recovering people, for recovering people, those programs have rescued millions from debilitation and death. They are freely offered, expenses being born by the voluntary contributions of members. Though occasionally criticized they survive, because they work.

Friends of the anonymous programs noticed many alcoholics/addicts rejected the disciplines they taught. Denial, misunderstanding or simple chance sometimes kept a man or woman from “getting it” through voluntary, free meeting attendance. These allies and their supporters began to urge advances in medicine and psychology in order to reach more victims of substance abuse disorders. “Drying out” facilities and isolated recovery communities began to be augmented by treatment centers and therapists.

More recently “sober houses” and halfway houses have multiplied. The old AA truth that “together we can do what we could not do alone” found wider expression. Oxford International, among others, showed the world-wide recovery movement that addicts/alcoholics living together have practical results. A statistic often cited is that 85 percent of persons recovering from addiction who spend a year in a group support home are still clean after three years.

So Launch Pad residency first includes structured living, cognitive and experiential workshops for self-realisation, and disciplined 12-step meeting participation. But outside the immediate environment of home and group two other levels of abstinent support have developed. They are work and play!

Residents of the Launch Pad homes can quickly become part of our “extended family” of alumni and benefactors. For about twelve years we’ve been good neighbors, living and working in the local community. Dozens of our graduates and recovering friends are now managing or reputably involved with local businesses. New Hanover County was recently declared among the top twelve sought-after places to live in the nation. The economy here is particularly vigorous. A willing and sober person will have little difficulty getting a job.

Socializing without the use of alcohol and other drugs is a big part of living a new life. As a year-long program Launch Pad allows practice celebrating each of the seasonal holidays in turn. Annual camping trips, a softball team, locally scheduled dances, a big Christmas Party, weekend “recovery festivals,” beach outings and many other diversions are also organized and supported. Both work and play help establish long-term lifestyles of personal growth and renewed character-development.