It’s easy for us to run away from things. It’s easy to push people away especially the ones who don’t enable us. When things don’t go the way we want, we disappear emotionally and physically. When things get difficult we leave. In the heart of our addiction we don’t know how to face anything. Most of the time we can’t even face ourselves.
After we finally decide to get sober we look back on all of the running we did. At first we may feel guilt and shame but it is actually something we can be grateful for. We can now look back and know that now that we are in recovery and have chosen to be responsible for ourselves, we have a great example of how not to act. It is a great example of who we aren’t anymore and who we never want to be again. It shows us how we have grown. We are not the person we used to be when we were using.
We have learned that just because it is easier to run away, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Now that we are sober and working the steps we can face things that we would have never faced in our active addiction. To be able to face things with strength and integrity is truly a gift to forever be grateful for.
In case you didn’t know:
The use of illegal drugs among Americans increased between 2008 and 2009 according to a national survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shows the overall rate of current illegal drug use in the United States rose from 8.0 percent of the population aged 12 and older in 2008 to 8.7 percent in 2009. This rise in overall drug use was driven in large part by increases in marijuana use.
Showing posts with label 12 steps of AA Pennsylvania. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 12 steps of AA Pennsylvania. Show all posts
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
How do we change? People, Places, and Thins
When we finally make the decision to get help for our alcohol/drug addiction we may be too overwhelmed to see it in the beginning but our life really changes. This change is definitely for the better but it’s hard for us to see because we have never experienced anything like this. When we walk into rehab or the rooms for the first time, we are a bit blinded by our fear, expectations and apprehension.
Even though all these feelings and emotions are emerging in us when we first get sober, we must address one of the most important things as a newcomer; people, places and things.
If we’ve been to rehab we’ve heard this notion before. What it means is, our lives need to change in order to stay sober and emotionally healthy.
When we were using, most of our surroundings were not ones where we could stay sane and well. Sometimes we’ve felt like it would be too hard to change our people, places and things. That is our fear talking; fear of change itself, fear of loneliness, fear of failure (can we make it without all of these people, places and things?), even fear of finding out who we really are. We felt like we would be all alone if we changed. We felt like we would have nothing if we changed. It’s actually the opposite. The truth is the people who truly love you and the people you’ve met in A.A./N.A. are the ones who will support you and be there for you no matter what may come.
In case you didn’t know:
In 2009, the number of people ages 12 or older who needed treatment for an alcohol use problem was 19.3 million. That is 7.7 percent of the population 12 or older.
Even though all these feelings and emotions are emerging in us when we first get sober, we must address one of the most important things as a newcomer; people, places and things.
If we’ve been to rehab we’ve heard this notion before. What it means is, our lives need to change in order to stay sober and emotionally healthy.
When we were using, most of our surroundings were not ones where we could stay sane and well. Sometimes we’ve felt like it would be too hard to change our people, places and things. That is our fear talking; fear of change itself, fear of loneliness, fear of failure (can we make it without all of these people, places and things?), even fear of finding out who we really are. We felt like we would be all alone if we changed. We felt like we would have nothing if we changed. It’s actually the opposite. The truth is the people who truly love you and the people you’ve met in A.A./N.A. are the ones who will support you and be there for you no matter what may come.
In case you didn’t know:
In 2009, the number of people ages 12 or older who needed treatment for an alcohol use problem was 19.3 million. That is 7.7 percent of the population 12 or older.
The First Step
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable.
This is how it starts in the rooms of alcoholics anonymous. The word we appears two times in the first three words. What a comfort that brings when the fog clears and we realize that of ourselves we are nothing and that with the help of others we can recover from this state of hopelessness. For so many years many of us have been in the prison of alcoholism and never knowing why are lives were shaped the way they were. The first step if taken with 100% belief and acceptance can start the road to a purposeful and meaningful life. It can get us out of that prison, allow us to move on to the remaining eleven steps. Many times in the rooms of AA you will hear there are no must dos. To stay sober you must not drink. That first drink is the drink that starts the ball rolling down hill not the last one.
Clearbrook Treatment Centers is an alcohol rehab in Pennsylvania. We are offering help and promising hope.
This is how it starts in the rooms of alcoholics anonymous. The word we appears two times in the first three words. What a comfort that brings when the fog clears and we realize that of ourselves we are nothing and that with the help of others we can recover from this state of hopelessness. For so many years many of us have been in the prison of alcoholism and never knowing why are lives were shaped the way they were. The first step if taken with 100% belief and acceptance can start the road to a purposeful and meaningful life. It can get us out of that prison, allow us to move on to the remaining eleven steps. Many times in the rooms of AA you will hear there are no must dos. To stay sober you must not drink. That first drink is the drink that starts the ball rolling down hill not the last one.
Clearbrook Treatment Centers is an alcohol rehab in Pennsylvania. We are offering help and promising hope.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Reflection on the Third Tradition
The Third Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous states, “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.” This tradition is especially important for the newcomer. Certain groups have certain requirements/criteria for example, sports teams, social groups, and so on. Some of us may have been members of different groups in our lives. Many of us have felt like we’re different and we don’t belong even if we were part of a team or a group.
A.A./N.A. is not like most groups. When we finally admit that we have a problem we feel scared, lonely, confused. The fellowship and the Third Tradition allow us to walk into the rooms, no strings attached and no judgment. Because you have a desire to stop drinking, you are accepted. We are welcomed into the 12-Step program because we have surrendered or at the very least desire that surrender that everyone talks about.
Maybe we went to drug/alcohol rehab and so the initial apprehensiveness isn’t as intense. If we didn’t go to treatment, the first time experience is a little more nerve-racking.
Yet when we walk through those doors and even though we are nervous, anxious, terrified and don’t really know what to expect, we see this group of people who are happy. They are comfortable. They are welcoming. They are free. There is a sense of family that emanates from everyone. Just by being there, we are a part of the group. For the first time in our lives, we truly belong.
“Tradition Three insured that we would get what we need—each other.” (A.A. Daily Reflections pg. 33)
A.A./N.A. is not like most groups. When we finally admit that we have a problem we feel scared, lonely, confused. The fellowship and the Third Tradition allow us to walk into the rooms, no strings attached and no judgment. Because you have a desire to stop drinking, you are accepted. We are welcomed into the 12-Step program because we have surrendered or at the very least desire that surrender that everyone talks about.
Maybe we went to drug/alcohol rehab and so the initial apprehensiveness isn’t as intense. If we didn’t go to treatment, the first time experience is a little more nerve-racking.
Yet when we walk through those doors and even though we are nervous, anxious, terrified and don’t really know what to expect, we see this group of people who are happy. They are comfortable. They are welcoming. They are free. There is a sense of family that emanates from everyone. Just by being there, we are a part of the group. For the first time in our lives, we truly belong.
“Tradition Three insured that we would get what we need—each other.” (A.A. Daily Reflections pg. 33)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
AA Meeting Etiquette
The expected etiquette during all meetings is for members to remain silent until the speaker has finished.
Every so often, the meeting "goes around the room" and all attendees have the opportunity to speak if they want to. On other occasions, moreover, the discussion leader may call on specific members and invite them to share their experiences. Members who do not wish to speak simply say "I'll just listen tonight" or "Thanks, I'll pass." Responses such as these are perfectly fine due to the fact that no one is ever strong-armed or forced to speak.
If a person does not have a chemical dependency problem, he or she should attend open meetings. More to the point, closed meetings are specifically for people who have a chemical dependency problem.
Meeting size varies from small to large depending on where the meeting is held, who attends the meeting (mixed, men, women, young people, and so on), and on the specific meeting format (i.e., discussion, Big Book, step, or speaker). While "small" meetings typically have 15 or fewer attendees, "large" meetings can have as many as 30, 40, 50 or more members.
Smoking and nonsmoking. The traditional "smoke filled room" is becoming a thing of the past as an increasing number of meetings are nonsmoking only. Smokers still huddle together outside the meeting areas; however, meetings that permit smoking inside are becoming increasingly rare.
Meetings usually end on time and are closed in a way that is decided upon by the particular group. A basket is typically passed around the room for voluntary contributions to help cover expenses. No contribution is required. Indeed, first-timers are often advised not to contribute. The usual donation is one dollar.
At the close of the meeting it is common for the chairperson to remind everyone of the Twelfth Tradition (the principle of anonymity) and to invite the group to stand, join hands in a circle, and recite the Lord's Prayer or the Serenity Prayer.
Every so often, the meeting "goes around the room" and all attendees have the opportunity to speak if they want to. On other occasions, moreover, the discussion leader may call on specific members and invite them to share their experiences. Members who do not wish to speak simply say "I'll just listen tonight" or "Thanks, I'll pass." Responses such as these are perfectly fine due to the fact that no one is ever strong-armed or forced to speak.
If a person does not have a chemical dependency problem, he or she should attend open meetings. More to the point, closed meetings are specifically for people who have a chemical dependency problem.
Meeting size varies from small to large depending on where the meeting is held, who attends the meeting (mixed, men, women, young people, and so on), and on the specific meeting format (i.e., discussion, Big Book, step, or speaker). While "small" meetings typically have 15 or fewer attendees, "large" meetings can have as many as 30, 40, 50 or more members.
Smoking and nonsmoking. The traditional "smoke filled room" is becoming a thing of the past as an increasing number of meetings are nonsmoking only. Smokers still huddle together outside the meeting areas; however, meetings that permit smoking inside are becoming increasingly rare.
Meetings usually end on time and are closed in a way that is decided upon by the particular group. A basket is typically passed around the room for voluntary contributions to help cover expenses. No contribution is required. Indeed, first-timers are often advised not to contribute. The usual donation is one dollar.
At the close of the meeting it is common for the chairperson to remind everyone of the Twelfth Tradition (the principle of anonymity) and to invite the group to stand, join hands in a circle, and recite the Lord's Prayer or the Serenity Prayer.
Monday, February 22, 2010
12 Steps of AA
Here are the steps most take through AA, which are suggested as a program of recovery:
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Typical Format of AA Meetings
Meetings are one of the essential components of Alcoholics Anonymous. A chairperson, who is typically a member of the group, will open the meeting (call the meeting to order) and follow the format for the type of meeting he or she is conducting: beginner meeting, speaker meeting, discussion meeting, for instance.
If the chairperson asks if there are any newcomers, visitors should feel free to raise their hands and give their first name.
For the most part, a "single share" protocol is followed in meetings which means that members do not speak for any length of time more than once during the meeting. Sometimes, nonetheless, exceptions to this standard are made, depending upon the group or the situation..
In all meetings, "cross talk" is kept to a minimum. "Cross talk" from the perspective of Alcoholics Anonymous means giving direct advice to others who have already shared, telling another member what to think or how to act, speaking directly to another person rather than to the group, and questioning or interrupting the person who is sharing and speaking at the time.
If the chairperson asks if there are any newcomers, visitors should feel free to raise their hands and give their first name.
For the most part, a "single share" protocol is followed in meetings which means that members do not speak for any length of time more than once during the meeting. Sometimes, nonetheless, exceptions to this standard are made, depending upon the group or the situation..
In all meetings, "cross talk" is kept to a minimum. "Cross talk" from the perspective of Alcoholics Anonymous means giving direct advice to others who have already shared, telling another member what to think or how to act, speaking directly to another person rather than to the group, and questioning or interrupting the person who is sharing and speaking at the time.
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