Now that the barbecues, parades, and fireworks are over, maybe it's time to think about another kind of Independence Day. For many people, that date is when addiction recovery begins.

The chains of alcohol and drug use are well known. They include deception and secrecy, loss of control, poverty, isolation and, sometimes, homelessness. The scars they leave behind can be even worse: wasted time, neglect, trauma, and broken relationships. Still, finding freedom from addiction is possible, and it happens every day.

To get there, we have to ask for help. The first step is finding a treatment program that works. Believe it or not, some of the best science-based treatment available today is being provided by nonprofit agencies. Organizations like L.A. CADA adhere to the evidence-based practices endorsed by treatment leaders, including the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the CDC, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. What's more, services that are certified, licensed, and monitored by local, state, and federal agencies are bound to effective, evidence-based treatment standards.

Another critical ask is peer support; people who have been there know the way back. Fortunately, our communities have free, peer-led meetings designed to provide assistance and support from sober peers. In addition, most recovery counselors working in treatment today are successfully recovering from alcohol and drug addiction themselves - and many from co-occurring mental health disorder, as well. Together, they share their experience, strength, and hope, lighting the path to recovery.

If you want to declare independence from the chains of addiction, L.A. CADA is here. Call us at (562) 906-2676 for information.

Watch: Freedom from a Family History of Addiction