Recovery Information/Relapse Prevention (sponsorship)

If  you are early in recovery and have started attending 12 step meetings, you are most likely hearing suggestions about finding a sponsor.  For me, mainly because I didn’t ask, it took some time to find out what a sponsor was and also what he wasn’t. At most meetings I’ve attended there are pamphlets available … Read more

Recovery Information/Relapse Prevention (Slogans)

As the newcomer begins recovery by going either to rehab and/or 12 step meetings chances are there will be discomfort and confusion.  I know this was the case for me.  I knew I didn’t want to drink or use but was expecting a magic saying to help me achieve this.  I was not sure how … Read more

Recovery Information/Relapse Prevention (part 2)

Today’s blog is a continuation of  the previous blog discussing the topic of  accepting one’s dependency on drugs/alcohol. In my experience, refusal to accept the fact that I was powerless over my dependence on alcohol/drugs led to attempts to self-help the condition.  I was eventually driven to isolation and a deeper despair.  To me, asking … Read more

Recovery Information/Relapse Prevention (part 1)

Over the next few weeks I will be writing a series of blogs called “Relapse Prevention”.  I will cover topics and provide information based on the experience of recovered people designed to assist in early recovery.  I have always been amazed by the determination of the newcomer in their first week of recovery.  Chances are … Read more

From failure to success!

If I had permitted my failures, or what seemed to me at the time a lack of success, to discourage me, I cannot see any way in which I would ever have made progress. – Calvin Coolidge, 1872-1933, 30th President of the United States One great thing about history is our Presidents from this long … Read more

Victorious

“Never talk defeat. Use words like hope, belief, faith, victory.”  –  Norman Vincent Peale I lived in defeat for many years.  I expected the worst, I thought “the worst is yet to come”.  I believed in the negative motto “shite happens”.  You would hear me say things like, “If it weren’t for bad luck I … Read more

Four Loko, coke in a can!

A new energy drink called “Four Loko” has a 12-percent alcohol content and is loaded with caffeine and sugar.  The beverage is classified an “Energy Drink” and comes in 24 ounce cans selling for less than $3.   This is a potentially dangerous beverage and should be kept from children and teens.  In the New York … Read more

Motivation

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” — Jim Ryun There are two types of motivation:  The motivation to attain something we want, in other words we are running towards pleasure and the second is the avoidance of pain.  In the beginning stages of recovery, the end days so to … Read more

Happy Memorial Day

Take the time today to reflect on what Memorial is for and then go have some fun.  Surely we all recognize that having the first three day weekend of the summer is a great thing.  The start of some warm weather for the Northerners, an extra day to hit the beach for the folks in … Read more