Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.
You have to come to the point in your life where you realize that living your life the way you want to, is not working. While in jail, I started reading my Bible, and when I came across Proverbs 3:5-6, I had a sudden realization "my way" was getting me nowhere. I knew at that moment the only way to change my life around was to trust in God, and try to do things "His way." This was the first step for me.
When you trust God to take control and try to live according to His will, He will help you turn your life around; He is there for you. He wants you to call on Him. He has allowed you to fall, so He can be the one to pick you up. God is love. Trust in Him, and allow His blessings to pour over you.
In order to trust God and give Him control of your life, you first have to accept Christ as your Savior. Everyone knows the verse John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. When I was doing this study, I found that I am more drawn to the 18th verse that reads: He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already; because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. WOW... if you believe not, you are condemned. Who wants to be condemned? I sure don't. All you have to do is believe and ask for forgiveness and God is there for you. This is when your relationship with the Father begins. It's up to you to strengthen it.
HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD is crucial to your recovery. You do this by reading and understanding His word, and most importantly with PRAYER.
I was fortunate enough to be accepted into Ladies Living Free in 2007. While there, I learned how to have a relationship with God. I learned how to read my Bible and pray to Him. My foundation to my relationship with God was set in place. I'm not saying that in order to be successful in your recovery that you have to go to a Christian rehab. I do believe that God placed me there because He knew I needed a solid foundation with Him. Without this foundation, I wouldn't be where I am today in my recovery.
1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. God's Word Translation reads this: After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ.
PICK YOUR FRIENDS!
This is probably the most important key to your recovery, other than your relationship with God. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. The International Standard Version reads: Stop being deceived: wicked friends lead to evil ends. God's Word Translation reads: Don't let anyone deceive you: Associating with bad people will ruin decent people.
It is very important that you distance yourself from people in your life that are a bad influence. Proverbs 4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
In 2004, I had managed to stay clean for almost 1 year. I had stayed away from the people that I used to get high with. I missed those people because they were my "friends" for a long time, so I eventually decided that I wanted to see one of them again. I called her up and asked if I could come see her. Before I left her house that day, I was high and stayed high until 3 years later. I deceived myself into thinking that I could hang out with the same people and be strong enough to withstand the temptation to use. It's hard to leave your circle of friends. You have to surround yourself with people who will be a good influence or you will fall flat on your face.
FIND A SUPPORT GROUP!
Family support is very important as long as they are sober themselves. So many of the women I talk to relapse because their own family members are living the lifestyle that they are trying to avoid. If you have people in your family that are using, you need to find other avenues of support. Sober friends are great support. Finding a local weekly Support Group is another option. If you feel comfortable going to NA or AA meetings, then by all means go to them. I personally choose going to church. Find a church that feeds you, and supports you and what you have been through. Church is the best support you can have, because it gives you the opportunity to worship God, learn his Word, and strengthen your relationship with Him.
PROTECT YOUR EYES - PROTECT YOUR EARS!
Choose carefully what you watch and hear. Don't allow certain music or movies trigger a need to use. I try not to listen to any music other that Christian, because I know that certain songs remind me of a time in my life that I don't want to go back to. The same goes with movies or even books. Try not to place yourself in a group that uses bad language.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
Just like a computer, what you allow into your heart programs your thinking and words, which ultimately determines the direction of your life. Your eyes and ears are gateways to your heart. The things that you listen to and look at influence your choices just as much as people themselves do.
RESIST THE WAYS OF THE WORLD!
1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. The ways of the world have been your ways for a long time. This gets you nowhere but into trouble. God's ways are true. Follow His ways and turn away from the world.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.
RENEW your minds. RETRAIN your thoughts, your actions, and your motives. This is a process. Don't fool yourself into thinking that since you've become a Christian and you're going to start living your life the way God wants you to, that you are automatically changed. Renewing and retraining takes time. It is ongoing.
FLEE FROM TEMPTATION!
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
When faced with temptation, just pray to God. He is faithful. He is the ONLY one that can take it from you.
I remember praying that He take my urges to use away from me forever, because from my own experiences, I knew that I wouldn't be able to "just say no." He has done that. Since I said that prayer, I have not had the urge to use. It's not just because of the prayer, though. I have worked hard at retraining my thoughts; I don't hang out with my old friends unless they have made the same change in their lives that I have made in mine. I am always thinking about what the consequences of what I may allow in my life will bring.
These keys are what have worked in my recovery. They will work in yours too, if you apply them.