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Daily Reading from Recovery Days November 6th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly


Dry drunk

Early recovery isn’t easy. We may have stopped our
addictive behaviour, but contented sobriety seems far
away. Instead, we feel irritable, negative, impatient,
resentful, depressed, anxious and nostalgic for the
past; perhaps all at the same time. This won’t last
forever, but we need a coping plan. Not everyone
gets to feel thus, but the condition is common enough
to have a name – dry drunk syndrome. We have just
quit our addiction, similar to a bereavement for
some people. Part of us still has regrets. Do I accept
that warning signs of ‘dry drunk’ behaviour must be
given priority?

Reconnection and interaction with the right kind of
people is the main answer. Review the people you can
talk to and if you don’t have a sponsor, get to a
meeting and find one. The real danger in early
recovery is isolation. Your feelings may result from
not addressing underlying factors contributing to
addiction, such as domestic abuse. If so, professional
help may be needed. Underlying anger, grief or ego
issues may require attention. Accept and share your
feelings. We are blessed to have the Twelve Step
fellowships to listen and for that I am grateful.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days November 2nd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – enjoy the moment


Enjoyment


If newcomers could see no fun in our existence,
they wouldn’t want it. We absolutely insist on
enjoying life.
AA Big Book.
Addiction makes many of us depressed, sad and
anhedonic (unable to feel pleasure). When we see
others enjoying themselves, it is so alien that our
first reaction is often to think they are pretending.
Closer inspection shows a truly carefree attitude and
soon we are wanting it ourselves. Carefree means
just that: we rid ourselves of our cares as we
progress through the Twelve Steps. Do I work the
Twelve Steps in my daily life?

Have you ever driven a car with the handbrake on,
by mistake? When you realise and release the brake,
everything suddenly feels better and easier. There’s
no smell of burning rubber, no vague feeling that
something’s wrong. That’s what it feels like when
you get into recovery. There’s more time to enjoy the
little things because you’re not having to worry
about the lies you told yesterday, the people you
insulted, the money spent. Everything will be
manageable, if I don’t drink or use. Today I thank
my Higher Power for that feeling

Daily Reading from Recovery Days October 25th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – listen to your body


Commitment


God willing, we may never again have
to deal with drinking, but we have to
deal with sobriety every day.
AA Big Book.
A life in active addiction can be a series of quick
fixes, but recovery is a process requiring our full
attention. At first, sobriety can seem like a
bereavement – a seriously deep relationship has
been abruptly terminated and we are emotionally
upset. Also, we have been living a lifestyle that is no
longer acceptable. In this fragile state, attitudes,
beliefs and habits now have to change. It adds up to
a lot of work and commitment. Am I aware that my
recovery goes far beyond stopping my addictive
behaviour?


Commitment, discipline and responsibility were
not often considered in my old life. But hard times call
for hard measures. Twelve Step programmes gave me
a connection – to a Power greater than myself and
the support of others. For that, I am grateful.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days October 19th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly


Slips


In Twelve Step circles, they say a slip happens
when ‘Sobriety Lost Its Priority’. A slip of any
kind is a relapse and must be taken seriously.
Looking at our thoughts and behaviour before
the slip happened can give us insights into what
needs putting right. Had we cut down on
meetings? Were we harbouring resentments? We
must not minimise what has happened. Going
to a meeting and telling our story may require
courage but we will find strength in doing so
and nobody will judge us. Addiction is a disease
that is characterised by relapse and the best
solution is to get back into the programme as
soon as possible. Do I fully understand how slips
can happen?


If I go to my home group and share about my
relapse, I may help others as well as myself. When a
person speaks about their relapse, I will feel
great empathy and a desire to help. Today I am
grateful to belong to a fellowship where mistakes
that are honestly shared are treated with compassion
and understanding.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days October 12th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness

Turning it over

They reckon ill who leave me out –
When me they fly, I am the wings.
Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Emerson believed that God was always with us, a
part of nature. Indeed, our Higher Power is
watching and supporting us, even when we are
unaware of it. Am I able to turn my problems over to
my Higher Power, even when I am in doubt as to
his presence in my life?


I am the doubter and the
doubt, and I the hymn the
Brahmin sings. (Ibid).
The poet is saying that ultimately the seeker of help
and the prayer itself, are part of the same thing – the
universal power for good in creation. We must trust
in the power to help us and not doubt it.
Today I give thanks to my Higher Power who I
know is always present, even when my mind is
elsewhere.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days September 22nd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – enjoy the moment


Step Nine


The short version of Step Nine says: I have said sorry
to the people I have harmed and tried to repair
damage. That statement indicates our willingness
to take responsibility for our actions. Any feeling of
discomfort that we may have comes from pride and
it will pass. This is a great learning opportunity for
us. Am I ready to work Steps Eight and Nine to the
best of my ability?


It is when your spirit goes wandering
upon the wind That you, alone and
unguarded, commit a wrong unto others
and therefore unto yourself.
And for that wrong committed must you
knock and wait a while unheeded at the
gate of the blessed. Kahlil Gibran.
The shining light that comes from these Steps is
forgiveness. Those we have harmed will often
respond forgivingly. I must accept that not all may
be able to forgive but, if I have done my best to
make amends, with the help of my Higher Power,
then I can eventually forgive myself. Today I ask for
courage, and continue to make amends

Daily Reading from Recovery Days July 11th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly

Understanding the obsession of addiction

JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings has been cited by some as a metaphor for addiction. The Ring works its magic on all who seek it, rendering some hopelessly obsessed. The effect it has in particular on its custodian Gollum’s personality and physique are reminiscent of drugs such as heroin. Gollum is entirely consumed by his attachment to the Ring. Nothing else is as important and his mental and moral standards deteriorate markedly. Interestingly, the power of the Ring to corrupt the likes of Gollum was not equal to ensnaring the ‘good’ characters of Gandalf and Frodo. They seem to have won through largely because of the support, strength, and unity they found in each other’s company – a bit like AA. There is no evidence that Tolkien had drugs in mind. Am I ready to learn lessons of recovery from many sources?

I must never forget the corrupting power of alcohol and drugs. A glass of beer or a puff of weed can seem such a minor event but their potential for mayhem is immense. Regular drug use can impair a person’s ability to choose right from wrong. Empathy and the understanding of other people’s emotions are also found at reduced levels in drug users. I will remember that a small drink of alcohol does no harm to some people, but it contains the potential to change me from Gandalf into Gollum.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days June 4th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – send positive thoughts


Step Six


I have looked at which behaviours don’t work. That is
the simplified version of Step Six. This is about
willingness to change. Most people don’t like
giving up old habits and attitudes, simply because
they have become a familiar part of their lives. The
Step is quite unequivocal. No half measures here!
But help is at hand. We have already opened a
dialogue with our Higher Power and we need to
keep the lines of communication open. Being
entirely ready means marshalling our strengths and
preparing ourselves for the task ahead. Am I
entirely ready to have God remove all my defects of
character?


If I am entirely ready for this task, I must be
physically, mentally and spiritually fit. I will need
honesty and humility to assess the situation
correctly and courage, determination and wisdom
to carry it out. Reassurance comes from the
knowledge that thousands of other people have
trodden this path successfully. There is no reason
why I should not do so too. I ask for God’s help today
as I work this vital Step.


……………………………………………………….

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 12th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably

Honesty and integrity

Honesty and integrity are important in any walk of life. People need to believe that what they see is what they get, and that there is no disconnect between what is said and what is done. Relationships then become rewarding and meaningful. Living a life of integrity includes doing the following:

  • Keeping your word, delivering on promises
  • Keeping commitments in actions and appointments
  • Keeping yourself and surroundings neat and clean
  • Staying focused on a task up to completion
  • Keeping honest company – we are judged by our friends
  • Taking responsibility for actions and mistakes
  • Showing respect and concern for others.

Am I living a life of honesty and integrity?

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

St Paul – Philippians.

I ask God for integrity in all my affairs today.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 11th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – enjoy the moment

Higher Power

How do I find the strength to quit? This is usually the first question that newcomers to the Twelve Steps ask. They see happy sober people, but they can’t understand the process. How did you get like that, what’s the secret? They then ask. As many of those in the fellowships know, there are four sources of strength:

  • The fellowships – their support and example
  • The sharing of experiences
  • The belief in help from a Higher Power
  • Working with other addicted people.

The strength from these combined sources is more powerful than addiction itself. It can be felt in the meeting rooms. It is the power that always makes us feel better at the end of a meeting than we did at the start. It is Higher Power indeed.

It is not enough to know the power of fellowship, sharing, belief and passing the message. If I do not act upon my knowledge, it is all pointless. It is not the intention of my Higher Power that I should be the only person to benefit. If I do not pass on the message, I may lose the power. Today I ask God that I never cease in my mission to carry the message to other struggling addicted people.