For many addicts and alcoholics coming to terms with the puzzle of addiction – knowing they need to change and doing the complete opposite is frustrating and scary. However, the good news is that the barriers and objections are within you and that means you have the ability to change them. It’s just a matter of isolating them, examining them and then changing what doesn’t work or fit anymore.
An easy way to get acquainted with people in any recovery support meeting is to ask questions. You might be surprised at the answers. However, don’t just ask questions just to appear interested. Instead, use the suggestions and directions.
When you learn to separate the various pieces of the puzzle, they become manageable pieces – to change, keep, or modify. This makes any overwhelming problem puzzle easier to solve.
In one of my first lectures in treatment, I kept hearing about the spiritual principles that I needed to incorporate into my recovery. For the principles listing on the sign-up sheet, I falsely assumed that I’d go to a dimly lit room, with incense wafting and cloistered monks reading from musty, dusty tomes. I hoped that they would enlighten me and give me ancient wisdom on how to change.
Instead, I learned from recovering people like myself in recovery support meetings.
While those are only five ways to keep an addiction dormant, the most important one for me, is don’t pick up the substance that made the addiction burst into bloom in the first place. I’d like you to add to the fives ways to keep an addiction dormant. Just leave a comment, thanks.
When we’re challenged with a lesson in our recovery, if we approach them from the perspective of “here’s a problem area or issue, and I’ve got an opportunity to learn from others”, it seems less harsh or traumatic.
I should logically be able to state, without reservation, which of those five feelings was hurt. However, the reality is that no one can define which of the five feeling categories was hurt, because feelings by themselves cannot be hurt. It’s our egos that get bruised.
We had a new member in our group tonight. Most of the women have over six months in recovery and facilitating this group, I’ve gotten to know them. I never expect the newest to speak first, but always acknowledge them and let them know that they may either speak first or let us know when they are ready to introduce themselves; but to always feel free to contribute to the conversation at any time.
By: Marilyn L. Davis __ Isolated Incidents or a Pattern of Behaviors? When any behavior becomes the normal response or reaction to life or the typical way you act, the actions become a ‘pattern of behavior.’ In our active addiction, we created many patterns: Manipulation to get our drugs Blaming others for our […]
When we first get into recovery, time takes on a different aspect – there is either too much or not enough. We may become aware of how much time we wasted in our addiction, and desperately try to make up for all the mistakes of the past in one day.
As a person in long-term recovery, I made many resolutions to stop drinking and using drugs, most of which were while I was high, couldn’t pay a bill, or I had a hangover. That resolution lasted as long as I felt bad, or about 24 hours, but with a plan, I accomplished those resolutions.
By: Marilyn L. Davis —- When Our Body and Mind Rebels Against Us —- Our bodies and minds got used to being high. When we take away those substances, either our body or mind or both can react and can start craving the substance. As far back as 1988, when I got into recovery, we’ve […]
If you find yourself in the cycle of only identifying the problem and complaining about it or commenting on it, ask yourself if you truly have both the desire to change something and are willing to make the effort to change the problem.
These messages can have a harmful or harmful effect on you as an adult. When you still believe these old messages, you give them power over you.
