Class Is In Session Tuesday, Feb 15 2011

Is there ever any particular spot where one can put one finger and say “It all began that day, such a time, and such a place, with such an incident?”  Agatha Christie

When I stumbled upon this question it prompted me to think if I could pin point the day, time and place when addiction consumed my life. Not even consumed, but began to make an appearance. There certainly were events that made me want to change, (which I couldn’t do alone) or mornings that I said I will never do that again (which it took 10 years to actually never do that again.) What is uncertain however is when I became an addict…The precise moment in time.

After coming to the conclusion that I cannot pin point that moment, I started thinking of other impactful moments in my life. While reliving those moments, it inspired me to write everything down in a time line; From where I was 10 years ago to where I am today.  Hours later, a box of tissues, and the timeline of my life of the last 10 years staring right back at me I came to realize that every moment, good, bad, boring or exciting all flowed right into one another.

I remembered my reactions to events, my actions that caused specific events, and what events happened next due to those reactions and actions. Each of those moments only enhanced the flow which is my life to sail me into the next ocean of life lessons.

Lessons. I say that because after doing this exercise I decided one thing. That one thing is this…Each morning I want to wake up and learn. Every day will be a class, and the end of the day report card can be nothing but an A+.As people in Recovery we all became students and teachers at the same time. We learn from one another’s failures, and accomplishments. We teach one another how to love, let go, forgive and improve our lives by sharing our experience strength and hope. Lessons are being given to us each day, and if we are receptive, and aware of these lessons then we can give ourselves an A+. It is when we pass that course that we will flow into the next lesson.

Not a single glass of wine, pill, loaded syringe etc made us decide to become sober. They merely played a role in making the decision to desire a life of sobriety. All we can do is reflect on a specific experience and label it a turning point. As, each of these experiences played a significant role in our lives past and present, it guarantees us this…Another nudge towards a future of unlimited possibilities, along with the ability to gain more strength with every stumble. 

As a challenge, keep this in mind. Every day is a class. Be eager to learn, and pass the lesson. Make it a point to be the student over the teacher, unless someone is willing to learn.

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Incorporating the 12 Steps Into Your Daily Life. Tuesday, Jan 18 2011

Being in recovery is much more than staying abstinent from the use of alcohol or illegal drugs.  Recovery is a way of life that, if given your all, will have no other result then a successful life of sobriety. Each person in recovery has a different story to tell, but with the same significant end result…a moment of clarity that led them to a life free of substance abuse.

For many the gift of sobriety becomes nothing more than motions; forgetting the responsibility each of us has taken on to continue living away from the former agonies of addiction. To be “sober” does not only mean being clean of all mind altering substances. As many know, sobriety is the result of living 100% percent in recovery. That means incorporating The 12 Steps into daily life.

So, for a quick reminder, let’s introduce you to your old friend the 12- Steps…

 

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.

Behind these steps are principals, and they are the key elements to living a life sustained for long term recovery.  However, when a situation presents itself it is not uncommon that these principals suddenly evaporate into the heat of a moment. Perfection is not the idea here. Consistency is. Responsibility came along when completing each step. This responsibility is to you.  Let’s take a look at these responsibilities.

HONESTY

Step One: You admitted you had a problem. By doing this you became honest, most likely for the first time in ages. This honesty should flow consistently throughout each day of your life. Becoming honest throughout every aspect of your life can be a hard thing to tackle, but always keep in mind how a little lie will inevitably turn into a spider web of lies. The amount of time and effort it takes to continue being dishonest, will always be much more than the amount of time and effort it takes to face the truth, and keep your life moving forward.

Remember: “You are only as sick as your secrets.”

HOPE

Step Two: Hope came back into your life. That hope came from believing in a power greater then yourself. The hope you were given was a vision that this power could restore you to sanity. Keeping this hope alive allows positivity to keep showing up throughout each day leading to ongoing sanity. Sanity that is crucial in maintaining sobriety. At one point we all had hope our sanity could be restored. By grasping our new found hope, it became our motivation to see a new future as a possibility that was within reach.

Remember: The hope you had for a life in recovery was once only a possibility. Now that you have seen those possibilities come true…What are you hoping for today?

FAITH

Step Three: Faith was grasped when we let go of the thought of control and gave it to our higher power. Finding faith again was a powerful experience. In times of stress, and chaos that faith can get lost rather quickly. These are the times our faith should be the most prominent. Incorporating faith day to day will do nothing less than show you once again the power of letting go, while reminding you of how freeing lack of control is.  Face the fear of the unknown by releasing yourself from control. Restore your faith by being conscious of whose will you are doing.

Remember:  “Let go and let God” 100 % of the time. Picking and choosing what you are willing to have faith in isn’t part of the game plan.

COURAGE

Step Four: Sitting down and making a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves is courageous. The courage to do what we don’t want to do vs. what we want to do can be frightening. But, by doing so a courageous step was taken towards long term sobriety. This courage should never subside. Courage doesn’t always mean being outspoken and standing up. Sometimes it means sitting back and watching events unfold. It takes more Courage to sit back and say nothing. Courage will present its self when you are able to do the next right thing, not to be confused with the next “want” thing.

Remember:  Muster up the same courage you had when doing step four. Courage will be needed in different forms. Sometimes being courageous will entail you to be vocal. Other times it will mean being silent, and embracing the faith, and hope you found in steps two and three. Either way, your courage will truly come when remembering acceptance of any situation, by courageously accepting that everything is just as it is supposed to be.

INTEGRITY

Step Five: This comes with growing up and growing up is exactly what begins to happen when a person completes step five. Admitting the exact nature of your wrongs, to God and another human being will instill integrity in a person. This integrity, which took much work to grasp, should always remain within.  A person of integrity is sometimes hard to come by. Let yourself be one of the few by always remaining true to you. Find the honesty you had during step one and the courage from step four and never allow yourself be nothing less than a person of integrity.

Remember:  What it took you to do to get you to where you are now. Integrity played a large role in that. Keep your integrity through everything you do.

WILLINGNESS

Step Six: Willingness came into the picture when you were ready to have God remove all your defects of character. The willingness to let go of the characteristics you identified yourself with opens the door to freedom. Willingness gets lost when a person is presented with something they don’t want to do. Sometimes one of the hardest words to say is “YES.” However, that word becomes powerful to a person that once refused to do anything that they did not see fit. Regain the power of that three letter word by remaining willing to do the next right thing.

Remember:  Look inside for whether or not you are willing. More often than not a person will be doing the next right thing when they DON’T want to be doing it. Full time Willingness will find permanent residency after practicing it over and over. Soon what you don’t want to do will become what you want to do. This will happen when doing the right thing is exactly what you want to do.

Humility

Step Seven: Could possibly be the hardest principal to manifest. To remain humble throughout each and every day can sometimes be confused as weakness. That is far from the truth. The strength it takes to remain humble is massive. Many of us created larger than life, defensive, and outspoken persona. This is what would create the most trouble. Silence was not a quality that was a possibility at the time; neither was sitting in the back row of life. If being the center of attention was a sport, an addict/alcoholic would win the gold medal. However, when step seven came along it was what had to be done. To continue this humility in all aspects of life is crucial to long term recovery. Continue your humility, by finding the courage you had in step four. Don’t allow yourself to be standing in the center of the stage again. After a while your chorus members will disappear, and your audience will no longer be listening.

Remember:  “To be truly great a person has to stand with people, not above them.”

Discipline and Action

Step Eight: When completing step eight that is exactly what was happening. We took the principles and knowledge we learned while completing steps 1-7 and put it into action. Keep this alive by remaining structured, and just doing it. Without the proper structure a person in recovery can quickly fall right back into a world of chaos.  Day to day varies. That’s life, but by maintaining a close connection to what you are wanting out of life further amplifies a successful life in recovery. If you can’t make a meeting, make a call. If you can’t answer a phone call send a text. The point being is to be active in your recovery and just do it.

Forgiveness

Step Nine: Here we asked forgiveness. Some things big, some small. Either way a person cannot ask another to do something they are unwilling to do themselves. If not ready to forgive at the present moment, become willing of the thought to forgive in the future. Without forgiveness a person will become resentful, and we all know where resentments will lead.

Remember: Holding resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Stay free of resentment by allowing yourself to forgive.

Perseverance

Step Ten: Step ten suggests us to continue taking a personal inventory, and that takes perseverance. Maintain this perseverance by going for exactly what you want. Long term sobriety takes perseverance. It is a journey of lessons, but those who maintain it will continue getting up time and time again and going for what they want. Remember: Success will come after entering the right door. To reach that door you must close the last one and open the next. Failure doesn’t mean give up, it means get up.

Spirituality

Step Eleven: This was gained by completing the steps above. We found a path of spirituality, and to continue on that path is crucial. As well as keeping that conscious contact with your higher power every second of every day.  Always keep in mind that each day is a daily reprieve, and when the loss of contact with your higher power happens, the rest goes with it. Work for that contact, work for your sobriety by maintain this contact.

Remember: Each day sober is another day to thank your higher power for. Without that conscious contact the sobriety begins to diminish.

Service

Step Twelve: This is a major part in a successful program of recovery. Yes, Life gets busy. Without service work your story stays within. A person will never know how their words can vastly change the life of another without sharing. Share what you know with the suffering addict/alcoholic just as one did for you. Keep your story growing.

Remember: When you don’t know; learn. When you learn; teach. Show your gratitude for sobriety by giving back to the community of people who shared their support during your journey. Pay it forward.

Every aspect of the 12 steps has been put together as a way to continue on going sobriety. To maintain the certainty of your journey, each of these principals needs to be implemented into your daily routine. Sobriety can be gone in an instant, and that can sometimes be forgotten. Don’t let yourself forget that each day you lay your head down sober is a gift. A gift that is granted through following all the principals. Day to day becomes nothing more than motions. So, put the brakes on for a second, and breath. Look around, and double check if you today are utilizing each tool, piece of knowledge and principal you learned. Whatever the answer is, own it. Keep moving forward, and become certain about your program today.

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Big News Here at WINR! Two WINR Women Have Been Selected To Be A Part Of Something Fantastic! Monday, Dec 6 2010

That’s right! Women In New Recovery is proud to announce that two WINR women have been selected to be a part of The Young Peoples Network Dialogue On Recovery! The YNPDR has been formed by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which will convene the Young People’s Networking Dialogue on Recovery in Baltimore, MD on December 13, 2010.

This meeting will provide participants – primarily young people (18 – 25 years of age) in recovery and family members of young people in recovery, an opportunity to share creative ideas aboutdeveloping a community-based recovery-oriented system of care for young people in or seeking recovery.

Up to 50 young people and family members of young people in recovery
will interact and participate in panel presentations and working groups on a diverse range
of topics to give a voice to their ideas and creative input for how to improve care and
support.

Among other topics the 50 selected participants will:

• Provide a forum for young people to describe the challenges and successes of their own personal recovery that could inform elements of a new recovery-oriented system of care.
• Elicit from young people concepts and services that they identify as being critical to recovery, including home/school/community recovery capital, relapse prevention and interventions, meaningful family involvement where appropriate, and overcoming stigma and discrimination.
• Provide a forum for family members to describe the gaps they identify in current treatment and recovery programs, policies, and research activities that could be addressed in a new recovery-oriented system that increases family involvement at the practice, program and policy level of recovery programs.

This is a fantastic accomplishment, and one more miracle of sobriety that these women should hold up high! Congratulations ladies!

http://www.WINR.org              Like Us On Facebook!

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Supporting and Encouraging Recovery. What Our Current Administration Plans To Do, and What You As A Person In Recovery Needs To Do. Thursday, Dec 2 2010

In 2010 President Obama has had his focus on creating better strategies for the Drug Policy in the United States. Back in September the President wrote an official proclamation to proclaim September as National Recovery Month.He has come out and addressed the issue by stating:

” The Obama Administration is proud to express its support for those living healthy and productive lives in long term recovery. We applaud those working to help struggling Americans break the cycle of abuse, and we encourage those in need to seek help.”

The efforts of the current administration should be applauded, but some may question the difference between this and past major drug awareness campaigns.

For example Back in 1980 Nancy Reagan launched her “Just say no” campaign, which educated children about the effects of drug use. This campaign also provided a simple and effective way of refusing an offer to partake in drug use; “Just say NO!” During the height of her campaign drug use in high school students and young adults dropped rapidly.

A study was done by the University of Michigan that showed High School students using:

• Marijuana dropped from 50.1% in 1978 to 36% in 1987, to 12% in 1991
• Psychedelic drug use dropped from 11% to 6%,
• Cocaine dropped  from 12% to 10%,
• Heroine dropped from 1% to 0.5%

Years later the numbers once again started increasing. Whether it be due to disinterest, lack of concern by the American population, or losing momentum; stability in keeping the numbers low should be a priority.  Clearly, awareness of the harmful affects of drug abuse are known. Everything from commercials to awareness groups have been created to publicize this information. The end result being… telling people what they already know.

With the efforts of the current Administration the attention has been moved to a different focus. Instead of shedding light on what can happen when abusing alcohol or drugs, the attention has been changed to; Here is what to do when you have a problem.

Finally, people can be educated on a solution.

That solution can be found in the 2010 Drug Control Strategy. Among other things, the strategy has included the following statement. Also included is an outline on the plan to educate those who already find themselves living with the most harmful effect of any drug…Addiction.

“Integrate Treatment for Substance Use Disorders into Health Care, and Expand Support for Recovery: For millions of Americans, substance use progresses to a point where brief interventions are not sufficient to promote recovery. Addiction treatment can be a critical—even lifesaving—resource in such situations, but only if it is readily available and of high quality. Making recovery possible is, therefore, key to effective drug control, and the Obama Administration’s Strategy focuses on:
••Expanding addiction treatment in community health centers and within the Indian Health Service
••Supporting the development of new medications to treat addiction and implementation of medication-assisted treatment protocols
••Improving the quality and evidence base of substance abuse treatment, including family-based treatment
••Fostering the expansion of community-based recovery support programs, including recovery schools, peer-led programs, mutual help groups, and recovery support centers”

The expected results by 2015 being:

• Reduce the rate of youth drug use by 15 percent
• Decrease drug use among young adults by 10 percent
• Reduce the number of chronic drug users by 15 percent
• Reduce the incidence of drug-induced deaths by 15 percent
• Reduce the prevalence of drugged driving by 10 percent

Now the question is…will this work?

Will offering a solution to those who may not be aware of one create a decline in current statistics? You be the judge…

What do you feel could or should be done to reach those in need of  this knowledge?How do we reach those walking in the path we only look back at as a reminder of where we came from? Now its time to find our solution on how to bring light and educate

• The addict that is in acceptance of their addiction, but don’t know they have the resources available. While also lacking hope that there is different possibility then what they have made their reality.
• As well as the addict that is in denial about their addiction; fully believing that anything troubling in their life is due to circumstance, or is the fault of someone else.

For those in recovery a sense of compassion is felt for still suffering addict. It is strongly encouraged to read the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy, so you can then can pass on the gift of knowledge to the addict that is still lacking information and encouragement on how to make the most important step of their life.

 

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Thanksgiving Time! Tuesday, Nov 23 2010

With Thanksgiving a few days away,it can bring up many different feelings. For some, Thanksgiving will bring out a sense of gratitude. For others,it may instill a bit of fear to spend the holiday sober.

Fortunately for those who are having some fear creep up on them, there are fellowships throughout the world that are ready to support you. Whether it be your first, or twentieth holiday season that you will spend sober, many of us may have difficulty throughout this time of the year.

Viewing the television, listening to the radio, or watching holiday based movies  there is sometimes a sense of nostalgia. It is almost forced when there is so much exposure associating alcohol and the holidays. The brain go’s straight to laughing, singing, and having a great time.

What it seems to leave out is the part when the dish of  cranberry sauce was launched from my hand and aimed towards my mom for “insulting my choice of apparel”.Then waking up to the day after a memorable…but not so pleasant holiday that featured yours truly acting completely insane. It is through the fellowship, a great support group, and a constant contact with a Higher Power that those in recovery are able to see through what we may want to see, and focus on the beautiful miracle that is being lived out each and every day we are sober.

So, for this upcoming holiday…if necessary take a hold of that fear, for it is a healthy fear. One that was placed in you as a gift to remind you of where you came from and where you are now. One that when drinking or using was unable to be felt. Fortunately today the numbness has subsided, and the presence of true raw emotion has came back to help guide you.

Not a day should go by that gratitude is not a priority. Thanksgiving , is a special opportunity to give the thanks to family, friends, and all of those we love. Giving those in our heart a sober you is a gift that holds a value above anything else. Show the thanks, and appreciation you have for what is in your life today. There is not a better feeling then knowing you are appreciated and loved. You hold the gift of letting someone know that they are truly appreciated in your life.

Everyone have a beautiful and safe Thanksgiving!

If you need to locate meetings here is a link that provides meetings in areas of Arizona.

http://www.area03test.org/MeetingList.aspx

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What Would You Like To Tell Washington? Thursday, Sep 30 2010

First off, Women In New Recovery would like to extend a huge Thank You to everyone who attended our event on September 25th! Seeing everyone who came was an incredible gift. We sincerely Thank You!

At the even Patty spoke on a very important issue, regarding how Government Officials treat those with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Yes, addiction as a whole has become much more accepted in communities, and awareness has come a long way. There is still much to be done.

As someone in recovery, and knowing the struggles, and mountains that need to be conquered, your voice truly does matter. It is time that our Government Officials hear our voice, and listen to our thoughts, and opinions, because we do know best.

There was an activity at the Recovery Event that allowed those who wanted to share their feelings,and opinions,  to write “What they would like to tell Washington.” Watching those who chose to participate, express their heartfelt opinions was enlightening.  It was evident at that moment how powerful just a few opinions can be.

Here are a few of the statements that were written…

“We need more funding for woemen and children who need recovery. Several women do not seek help because they have children at home, and fear if they seek help they will lose thier children.”

“Go after pharmaceutical companies!! Regulate! Women are lacking in funding for rehabilitation for themselves and their children. Lengthen the amount of time for their recovery in severance hearings. Provide Childcare for women in recovery! More treatment/12 step programs in the jails. Put a stop to medicating juveniles, and give them the treatment they need!”

“N.A. works, support groups work! Jail is not the answer to all drug related problems! It need to be looked at by drug addicts!”

“Thank you for the changes- we still need buy in, especially in Arizona! Even though we are a “Red State” please don’t forget us!Arizonians NEED you to hear this message!”

We would love to hear your thoughts as well! So, here is the question….

What Would YOU like to tell Washington?

Leave a comment, and voice your opinion, and be a part of the change!!!

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2010 – Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever Wednesday, Sep 22 2010

                                            

Lets think about this years National Recovery Month observance theme…

“Join the Voices for Recovery :Now More Than Ever.”

That is pretty profound…

Everyone in recovery has a different story. A story that is worth passing on to the next person struggling with addiction. Awareness of substance abuse has tremendously grown over the past 21 years. Throughout the years recovering addicts, and alcoholics have taken many strides to help spread the message of addiction. Still today many have trouble opening up about their addiction.This is why I find the theme so profound.

Not only has the matter of addiction become more recognized as a disease, not a choice. With the help of those in Recovery uniting and bringing awareness to the matter, those hiding in shame of their addiction now have found pride in what they have battled.

Now another opportunity has present itself to once again bound together and put a voice on recovery.  With your participation in National Recovery Month, you are able to motivate those still seeking the courage to ask for help. Or, to encourage those that fear what others may think to stand up right next to you.

It is time to embrace what we have been through, and share our experience, strength and hope with all. Now more than ever!

 Join Women In New Recovery for their 7th Annual Walk and Rally in honor of National Recovery Month.

September, 25th, 2010

Between 2:00pm-6:00pm 

Located at: 860 N Center St,  Mesa, Arizona 85251

Also, to find other Recovery Events throughout the nation visit:

www.recoverymonth.gov

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