Category: Uncategorized

Think, Think, Think

When I was new to the program, I would see this slogan displayed and wonder what it meant.  I was totally baffled by it.  Was I to think a Lot? Did I need to think with other people? I didn’t have a clue as to what this meant.  Through the year that I have been

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Trust

In the end of my drinking and using career the only thing I trusted was the bottle and the drugs.  Then to my dismay they stopped working for me.  I could not get the desired reaction I wanted anymore, even with almost lethal doses of the drugs.  I tried different combinations of Seconal, Percocet, Ativan.

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Acceptance

“And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today.….nothing happens in God’s world by mistake” (page 417, 4th Edition Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous). Many people confuse acceptance with resignation.  Resignation is like an “oh well” attitude while acceptance is an understanding of a person, place or thing.  When a situation occurs that we

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It Works, If You Work It

We often hear this phrase around the 12 Step fellowship.  It is usually repeated in unison after the Lord’s Prayer in meetings in many parts of the country.  Just what does this very small phrase mean?  And why is it so important to understand? Well, the word “work” implies that there is some work to

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Promise #2

The second Promise that we are going to look at states that “that feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.”  Disappear?  That means they will be gone for good, one will not be bothered by them anymore.  When I was still drinking and using, I had become useless and full of self-pity.  Of course, I

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The Twelve Promises

In 12 Step literature we are able to find the 12 Promises on pages 83-84 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Of course, there are many more promises found in the book, this is just where 12 of them are grouped together.  Today we will look at the first promise which is “we are

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No Matter What

Back in the day you heard this phrase much more often than you do now.  I remember the first time I heard it I thought it was pure genius.  What a concept!  I don’t have to drink no matter what!!?? I have had lots of no matter whats throughout my sobriety.  The reason I stay

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Relapse

In our circle of recovering addicts, we often hear talk of relapse.  All kinds of strange theories have evolved around this event.  Some say the addict hasn’t hit their bottom yet.  Others may say that they weren’t quite ready to remain sober. The plain and simple truth is that the addict just simply chose to

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What is a Sponsor and Why Do I Need One?

What is a Sponsor and Why Do I Need One?

A sponsor is a closed-mouth friend who will take you through the 12 Step program.  They are not someone who will loan you money, give you a place to stay, solve your job issues, or otherwise babysit you.  The people best equipped to sponsor someone are people who have some substantial time in the program. 

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Picking Your Battles

Picking your battles implies letting go of instances in which you would usually feel slighted.  This may seem like you are sanctioning the particular behavior from the other.  This is far from the reality of picking your battles.  By ignoring the verbal exchange completely, you are using a behavior tool known as extinction.  This is

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Picking Your Battles