Hi,
I know alot of folks aren't real crazy about my approach to recovery, and what has worked for me so far. But, I know some people are intrested in the path I chose, and maybe some lurkers are as well, so I've posted the readings that I do daily in hopes it helps someone, if not, it sure helps me....
I start each day reading from a book called..Twenty-Four Hours A Day,
My fav. day to read is January 6th, which I've added to my morning prayers.....
Keeping clean and sober is the most important thing in my life. The most important decision I ever made was my decision to give up drinking and drugging.
I am convinced that my whole life depends on not taking that first drink or drug.
Nothing in the world is as important to me as my own sobriety. Everything I have, my whole life, depends on that one thing.
Can I afford to ever forget this, even for one minute?.........I Think Not!
Take care......................................God bless....................................Bob
Dear Bob,
I think everyone who has a problem with addiction should have that posted to their mirror to read every morning. God bless!
Love,
Susan
I think everyone who has a problem with addiction should have that posted to their mirror to read every morning. God bless!
Love,
Susan
bob,
goodmorning punk, i missed you yesterday. lots of chaos happening for me this week. i just wanted to pop in and say thanks for all the good reading you posted. it helps out alot especially on these weeks of craziness. i know i can always count on you. i am sure we'll be in touch today although i have lots to do. my son is having a presentation at his school this afternoon and then his valentines party following afterward cause they have all of next week off. man they get too much time off. but i will definately make time for you : ) talk to you soon. keep those good recovery posts coming.
terrianne
goodmorning punk, i missed you yesterday. lots of chaos happening for me this week. i just wanted to pop in and say thanks for all the good reading you posted. it helps out alot especially on these weeks of craziness. i know i can always count on you. i am sure we'll be in touch today although i have lots to do. my son is having a presentation at his school this afternoon and then his valentines party following afterward cause they have all of next week off. man they get too much time off. but i will definately make time for you : ) talk to you soon. keep those good recovery posts coming.
terrianne
Goodmorning Bob.I read some of your AA/NA post.Thank you I did run a copy of some stuff.so thank you for thinking of the board.,,,mj
Thanks Bob. The checklist of relapse symptoms is good stuff for me and where I'm at right now. I'm making a copy to keep with me as a reminder...
Jim
Jim
hello bob,
i don;t know why anyone would not like your approach to recovery. sounds like its working for you and thats all that matters. if its working for you then i say keep working it. good for you my friend.
thanks for the post.
i don;t know why anyone would not like your approach to recovery. sounds like its working for you and thats all that matters. if its working for you then i say keep working it. good for you my friend.
thanks for the post.
bob
it is not that some of us are opposed to your way of recovery, heck there must be something to it afterall you have over a year clean and that in itself says something. i believe, for me anyway, that i would try more of it if i knew more about it, the only time i went i was looked down on, or at least it seemed that way because i was and still am tapering and not just quitting cold turkey. i tried c/t and it didn't work, maybe i was just weak, or maybe i didn't have a program to back it up. all i know is when i did do c/t all i wanted to do was die, and for my children to see me go through that was simply disheartening. your program works for you and i admire that to no end keep it up you are a great asset to this board and you are a wonderful human being. kinda pushy sometimes, ha ha, but all of us have something the others don't agree with huh
with all respect
johnny
it is not that some of us are opposed to your way of recovery, heck there must be something to it afterall you have over a year clean and that in itself says something. i believe, for me anyway, that i would try more of it if i knew more about it, the only time i went i was looked down on, or at least it seemed that way because i was and still am tapering and not just quitting cold turkey. i tried c/t and it didn't work, maybe i was just weak, or maybe i didn't have a program to back it up. all i know is when i did do c/t all i wanted to do was die, and for my children to see me go through that was simply disheartening. your program works for you and i admire that to no end keep it up you are a great asset to this board and you are a wonderful human being. kinda pushy sometimes, ha ha, but all of us have something the others don't agree with huh
with all respect
johnny
johnny,
ok here goes it, i have tried to refrain so bad from my personal experience regarding meetings. after a few weeks of attending a home meeting i was brutally attacked physicly to the point of hospitalization. i am not looking for sympathy and all the i'm so sorrys stuff and i will not go into any further detail or elaborate anymore then just that. all i am saying is that the point is there are other meetings out there. just as i explained about seeking out churches. same thing my experience at first looking for a church wasnt cool either but i knew i needed god in my life that badly that i just kept seeking out and didnt let those things stop me. same thing holds true for aa and na meetings. i know its scary and feels shameful and words hurt when your already sensative going in. but again i have found a different meeting that i feel safe with. just keep trying and looking. there is one out there for everyone. i know things arent easy for you right now as it is. i am still holding you in my thoughts and prayers. it will come all in good time. you just keep the faith.
terrianne
ok here goes it, i have tried to refrain so bad from my personal experience regarding meetings. after a few weeks of attending a home meeting i was brutally attacked physicly to the point of hospitalization. i am not looking for sympathy and all the i'm so sorrys stuff and i will not go into any further detail or elaborate anymore then just that. all i am saying is that the point is there are other meetings out there. just as i explained about seeking out churches. same thing my experience at first looking for a church wasnt cool either but i knew i needed god in my life that badly that i just kept seeking out and didnt let those things stop me. same thing holds true for aa and na meetings. i know its scary and feels shameful and words hurt when your already sensative going in. but again i have found a different meeting that i feel safe with. just keep trying and looking. there is one out there for everyone. i know things arent easy for you right now as it is. i am still holding you in my thoughts and prayers. it will come all in good time. you just keep the faith.
terrianne
thank you terrianne
as a matter of fact i have been looking for some others i will continue until i find one that fits. but when you go the first time and get blasted it is kinda hard to open up yourself to that again, but i know that there are a lot of caring people out there and i will find one someday soon i believe. so for now i will continue to keep going to church 3 times a week and see if that helps at all. it really did the trick when i first came off drugs in 1990 that was all the meetings i needed, but this pain pill crap has a hold unlike anyother i have ever seen, it is truly a work of the enemy, be it satan , flesh or whatever, it is evil when used in this way, the abuse way i mean
again thank you
johnny
as a matter of fact i have been looking for some others i will continue until i find one that fits. but when you go the first time and get blasted it is kinda hard to open up yourself to that again, but i know that there are a lot of caring people out there and i will find one someday soon i believe. so for now i will continue to keep going to church 3 times a week and see if that helps at all. it really did the trick when i first came off drugs in 1990 that was all the meetings i needed, but this pain pill crap has a hold unlike anyother i have ever seen, it is truly a work of the enemy, be it satan , flesh or whatever, it is evil when used in this way, the abuse way i mean
again thank you
johnny
johnny,
i understand whole heartedly and just be grateful it was only words you were blasted with. my point was that inspite of my terrifying experience i did go back to a different meeting. it took time and courage. we all feel the same at first. i am not pushing aa or na or whatever on anyone. you need to find what is right for your recovery. my church and my meetings go hand in hand with each other. as a matter of fact i know a guy at my church that attends a meeting through a church based program. i never discussed much with him too much about it cause i didnt want to pry. but yes there are many people sitting in church stoned out of there minds and need help too. i will have to ask him more about his program for more info. maybe your pastor might even know of such a one.
terrianne
i understand whole heartedly and just be grateful it was only words you were blasted with. my point was that inspite of my terrifying experience i did go back to a different meeting. it took time and courage. we all feel the same at first. i am not pushing aa or na or whatever on anyone. you need to find what is right for your recovery. my church and my meetings go hand in hand with each other. as a matter of fact i know a guy at my church that attends a meeting through a church based program. i never discussed much with him too much about it cause i didnt want to pry. but yes there are many people sitting in church stoned out of there minds and need help too. i will have to ask him more about his program for more info. maybe your pastor might even know of such a one.
terrianne
Atoz,
I can understand where you are coming from, but Boo is onto something here, which by the way Terri, I have to say I am sorry for that horrible event, and what a tough cookie you are to get up and dust yourself off. I also had some really hard meetings. My first one I felt completely unaccepted and uncomfortable and just like Boo, I don't want to get into the details and scare others off from trying meetings. But I kept looking until I found people that were good for me. Even though we are all addicts, sometimes we don't all mesh. Sometimes we have to keep looking to find what is best for us. You are a good soul and please don't give up on outside support, I'd hate to see you feel alone in this.
Redd
Thanks for the post Bob
I can understand where you are coming from, but Boo is onto something here, which by the way Terri, I have to say I am sorry for that horrible event, and what a tough cookie you are to get up and dust yourself off. I also had some really hard meetings. My first one I felt completely unaccepted and uncomfortable and just like Boo, I don't want to get into the details and scare others off from trying meetings. But I kept looking until I found people that were good for me. Even though we are all addicts, sometimes we don't all mesh. Sometimes we have to keep looking to find what is best for us. You are a good soul and please don't give up on outside support, I'd hate to see you feel alone in this.
Redd
Thanks for the post Bob
redd,
thanks your so cool, wonder what meeting you went too, i would die if it was same one as me lol maybe its just typical of michigan meetings who knows. i am sure we all have our own 1st meeting stories. but if ya ever wanna email and discuss anything you know where to reach me : ) but seriously the point is back too not giving up and if you want it bad enough as i did you just keep moving ahead and seeking out the right one. pray on it and god will show you the way :)
terrianne
thanks your so cool, wonder what meeting you went too, i would die if it was same one as me lol maybe its just typical of michigan meetings who knows. i am sure we all have our own 1st meeting stories. but if ya ever wanna email and discuss anything you know where to reach me : ) but seriously the point is back too not giving up and if you want it bad enough as i did you just keep moving ahead and seeking out the right one. pray on it and god will show you the way :)
terrianne
Hi Bob,
I have been reading your posts to people and you seem to know how to help. I am really new to the "serious" recovery. I never in a million years thought I could be addicted to pain medication. In the beginning I needed the meds because I had lateral ankle reconstruction. Then 3 years later I found my self feeling no pain in my ankle but taking 16-18 ultram a day. I did stop for about 2 months, then started again (for a 2 month period) Now I am clean since monday. (with meds from primary doctor so I can sleep and have my withdrawal symptoms lesson.
As I said I have been reading your posts and actually think I am not alone and can do this if I just dont hold in everything.
I appreciate all the effort you provide to everyone, because with what you write it is helping me in my own way.
Thanks\
Megan
I have been reading your posts to people and you seem to know how to help. I am really new to the "serious" recovery. I never in a million years thought I could be addicted to pain medication. In the beginning I needed the meds because I had lateral ankle reconstruction. Then 3 years later I found my self feeling no pain in my ankle but taking 16-18 ultram a day. I did stop for about 2 months, then started again (for a 2 month period) Now I am clean since monday. (with meds from primary doctor so I can sleep and have my withdrawal symptoms lesson.
As I said I have been reading your posts and actually think I am not alone and can do this if I just dont hold in everything.
I appreciate all the effort you provide to everyone, because with what you write it is helping me in my own way.
Thanks\
Megan
Hi,
Thanks for the replies. Heres a suggestion for anyone that felt a little out of place or whatever at a meeting. Don't judge whether or not you like it by 1 or 2 meetings. I'd say give yourself a year. Yeah, a year. Why not? Give it an honest effort, follow the suggestions of NA or AA whatever you decide to try and tell yourself, ok, if after a year I still feel I don't like it, I'll do something else. Alot of people I know hated it the first 6 months even, took even longer for some I know to even introduce themself. But, what happened was, they started realizing that they were getting better in spite of themselves.
Also, just a suggestion, if your on sub. or something like that. keep it to yourself, and maybe your sponsor. This way you don't have to worry about people judging you. There are people that have been clean and sober a long time, work a great program, but still can't seem to believe in any other way except the way they did it. There really isn't any reason you have to share that as long as you know for you that it's working, and your being honest with yourself and your Higher Power.
I'd like to give advice or try to help, but it seems that my wording of my thoughts
get me in the middle of alot of s--t here I really don't need in my life. So, I'll just say, if someone here wants what I have, then look into NA or AA or both even, get involved, get a coffee commitment or something, get some phone numbers,
get a sponsor and jump in feet first. And remember, nobody will know your new if you don't tell them. So, don't go to a meeting then say nobody came up to me, nobody said hi, or whatever. I garantee, if you get your hand up, and just say your name, your new, and you'd like some guidence, someone will approach you and offer there number or point you in the right direction.
My prayers are with you all, hang in there,
Take care........................................God bless..................................Bob
sunberst585@msn.com
Oh and also, there is a beginning, during and after, at a meeting. I usually get there early, help set up chairs or whatever, thats when I've met alot of people.
Start talking, and hang out for a few minutes after the meeting too, start a conversation or just hang around, someone usually will say hi, talk about the weather etc..thats how it starts. If you want recovery, it's there, you gotta go get it..............Take care.............Bob
Thanks for the replies. Heres a suggestion for anyone that felt a little out of place or whatever at a meeting. Don't judge whether or not you like it by 1 or 2 meetings. I'd say give yourself a year. Yeah, a year. Why not? Give it an honest effort, follow the suggestions of NA or AA whatever you decide to try and tell yourself, ok, if after a year I still feel I don't like it, I'll do something else. Alot of people I know hated it the first 6 months even, took even longer for some I know to even introduce themself. But, what happened was, they started realizing that they were getting better in spite of themselves.
Also, just a suggestion, if your on sub. or something like that. keep it to yourself, and maybe your sponsor. This way you don't have to worry about people judging you. There are people that have been clean and sober a long time, work a great program, but still can't seem to believe in any other way except the way they did it. There really isn't any reason you have to share that as long as you know for you that it's working, and your being honest with yourself and your Higher Power.
I'd like to give advice or try to help, but it seems that my wording of my thoughts
get me in the middle of alot of s--t here I really don't need in my life. So, I'll just say, if someone here wants what I have, then look into NA or AA or both even, get involved, get a coffee commitment or something, get some phone numbers,
get a sponsor and jump in feet first. And remember, nobody will know your new if you don't tell them. So, don't go to a meeting then say nobody came up to me, nobody said hi, or whatever. I garantee, if you get your hand up, and just say your name, your new, and you'd like some guidence, someone will approach you and offer there number or point you in the right direction.
My prayers are with you all, hang in there,
Take care........................................God bless..................................Bob
sunberst585@msn.com
Oh and also, there is a beginning, during and after, at a meeting. I usually get there early, help set up chairs or whatever, thats when I've met alot of people.
Start talking, and hang out for a few minutes after the meeting too, start a conversation or just hang around, someone usually will say hi, talk about the weather etc..thats how it starts. If you want recovery, it's there, you gotta go get it..............Take care.............Bob
bob
i am really starting to get interested in this aa/na stuff, so i have a couple of questions. first of all what is a coffee commitment, then if you are on sub or tapering down what do you do if they ask why you don't have one of those chip things, and by the way what are those chips and what are they about. how do you get a sponsor, and when you go in for the first time what is the best way to start to get involved . just a few of my worries about it
thank you for all your direction
johnny
i am really starting to get interested in this aa/na stuff, so i have a couple of questions. first of all what is a coffee commitment, then if you are on sub or tapering down what do you do if they ask why you don't have one of those chip things, and by the way what are those chips and what are they about. how do you get a sponsor, and when you go in for the first time what is the best way to start to get involved . just a few of my worries about it
thank you for all your direction
johnny
Hi Johnny,
First, relax, no need to be nervious about attending a meeting. Everyone at the meeting also walked in there first time too. Just relax, and remember, we will never like everyone we meet but we're not there for the messenger, only the message.
A coffee commitment is for example, if you find a meeting you really like, and no matter what other meetings you go to, you know that, that one meeting is one you will go to every week. Thats called and becomes your home group.
Then you find out when they hold there business meeting, usually announced at the begining of the meeting. Thats a meeting usually before or after the meeting where they go over the groups expences, if they need to order more books etc.. and when they asign who will chair the meetings for the next month etc.. At that meeting you can ask for a coffee commitment, thats just a way for a new comer to get involved in the group. It's then your responsibility to get there each week early and simply set up the coffee, maybe set up the tables and chairs.
Usually a couple people get there early and will give you a hand. I still take coffee commitments now and then, it's fun, I enjoy it, and it's a way to give back.
The chip system isn't something they check at the door or anything, but there is a chip for 24 hours- 30 days, then 60, and 90 days. It's a chip to carry with you as a constant reminder in your pocket of your sobriety. They told me to put mine in my mouth, when it melts I can drink! lmao Then after that, it's a yearly coin. N.A. I think uses key chains. Also, if you are thinking about picking up, when you put your hand in your pocket for the money to buy a drink or drug, you'll grab the chip, and hopefully get to a phone or a meeting before you pick up.
A sponsor, just go to the meetings and you'll start seeing the same people,
then you'll start to notice the guys that have good sobriety, and are walking the walk. As you get to know them, find a guy your comfratable with, and ask him if he'll sponsor you. It's just a guy that will help guide you through the steps, someone to share with, dump on, answer your questions if he can etc.. In the mean time, till you find a guy you like, you can get what they call a temperary sponsor. When your comfratable, raise your hand at a meeting and say you need a sponsor. Someone will usually give you there number. Although I have some women friends in the program, we have a saying thats, "Men with the Men, Women with the Women". It's not a good idea to sponser someone of the oposite sex, a sponsor is someone you'll be spending alot of time with, in person and on the phone, especially in the begining. The only time it's ok for the opisite sex is when someone is gay, a gay man and a gay woman etc..
This way there is no chance to complicate the relationship, plus if your married,
having a woman sponsor probably wouldn't be a good idea! lol
As far as going the first time, just go. You don't have to talk if you don't want, just listen. If you want to raise your hand and itroduce yourself, thats fine too, if you feel like you wanna share, thats fine too. No rules, just go and relax.
Hope this helped a little, good luck and hang in there,
Take care.......................................God bless.....................................Bob
First, relax, no need to be nervious about attending a meeting. Everyone at the meeting also walked in there first time too. Just relax, and remember, we will never like everyone we meet but we're not there for the messenger, only the message.
A coffee commitment is for example, if you find a meeting you really like, and no matter what other meetings you go to, you know that, that one meeting is one you will go to every week. Thats called and becomes your home group.
Then you find out when they hold there business meeting, usually announced at the begining of the meeting. Thats a meeting usually before or after the meeting where they go over the groups expences, if they need to order more books etc.. and when they asign who will chair the meetings for the next month etc.. At that meeting you can ask for a coffee commitment, thats just a way for a new comer to get involved in the group. It's then your responsibility to get there each week early and simply set up the coffee, maybe set up the tables and chairs.
Usually a couple people get there early and will give you a hand. I still take coffee commitments now and then, it's fun, I enjoy it, and it's a way to give back.
The chip system isn't something they check at the door or anything, but there is a chip for 24 hours- 30 days, then 60, and 90 days. It's a chip to carry with you as a constant reminder in your pocket of your sobriety. They told me to put mine in my mouth, when it melts I can drink! lmao Then after that, it's a yearly coin. N.A. I think uses key chains. Also, if you are thinking about picking up, when you put your hand in your pocket for the money to buy a drink or drug, you'll grab the chip, and hopefully get to a phone or a meeting before you pick up.
A sponsor, just go to the meetings and you'll start seeing the same people,
then you'll start to notice the guys that have good sobriety, and are walking the walk. As you get to know them, find a guy your comfratable with, and ask him if he'll sponsor you. It's just a guy that will help guide you through the steps, someone to share with, dump on, answer your questions if he can etc.. In the mean time, till you find a guy you like, you can get what they call a temperary sponsor. When your comfratable, raise your hand at a meeting and say you need a sponsor. Someone will usually give you there number. Although I have some women friends in the program, we have a saying thats, "Men with the Men, Women with the Women". It's not a good idea to sponser someone of the oposite sex, a sponsor is someone you'll be spending alot of time with, in person and on the phone, especially in the begining. The only time it's ok for the opisite sex is when someone is gay, a gay man and a gay woman etc..
This way there is no chance to complicate the relationship, plus if your married,
having a woman sponsor probably wouldn't be a good idea! lol
As far as going the first time, just go. You don't have to talk if you don't want, just listen. If you want to raise your hand and itroduce yourself, thats fine too, if you feel like you wanna share, thats fine too. No rules, just go and relax.
Hope this helped a little, good luck and hang in there,
Take care.......................................God bless.....................................Bob
Bob,
You had said " give AA/NA a year". What if these meetings are a trigger for using for some of use. The few meetings I attended, I really had the urge to use afterwards. I don't know if this is common, or maybe its just me. Is there a way to get past this?
Best Regards,
Tom
You had said " give AA/NA a year". What if these meetings are a trigger for using for some of use. The few meetings I attended, I really had the urge to use afterwards. I don't know if this is common, or maybe its just me. Is there a way to get past this?
Best Regards,
Tom
tom,
ooooo good question, i know you arent alone on that one i am sure. but the pro's far out wiegh the cons. i sooooooooo know bb has a good answer for you ; ) hows the basement stonewall jackson :P p,s. my meeting are addicted related same 12 steps but the steps cover another basis as well. so i can't answer you question.
terrianne
ooooo good question, i know you arent alone on that one i am sure. but the pro's far out wiegh the cons. i sooooooooo know bb has a good answer for you ; ) hows the basement stonewall jackson :P p,s. my meeting are addicted related same 12 steps but the steps cover another basis as well. so i can't answer you question.
terrianne
Me,
My guess is you probably sat at those meetings maybe not wanting to be there, or judging others, or telling yourself these people are full of s--t. If you for some reason leave a meeting with a resentment, thats why. Just don't pick up, keep going, and you'll get over that and better in spite of yourself.
Take care..................................God bless...........................................Bob
My guess is you probably sat at those meetings maybe not wanting to be there, or judging others, or telling yourself these people are full of s--t. If you for some reason leave a meeting with a resentment, thats why. Just don't pick up, keep going, and you'll get over that and better in spite of yourself.
Take care..................................God bless...........................................Bob
and also, for me anyway, there are alot of unwell people in those rooms. I know I get crazy with addiction, and shouldn't compare myself, but I do get scared at some people I see there. I guess it is a good deterent to stay sober; I don't want to end up like that.
Kerry
Kerry
