Category Archives: Addiction Recovery

Addiction recovery

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 3rd by Chris B

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* April 3*

Remember mindfulness – breathe calmly

Conscience

Everyone experiences cognitive dissonance in their lives, in some form or another – the moment when you consider or actually do something that jars with your principles. It could be as relatively minor as dropping a piece of litter in the street. People struggling with addiction often live a life of repeated cognitive dissonance because every time they drink or use, they are acting against their deepest instincts. To do so causes anxiety and is highly stressful – humans do not like being in this state and may try to ease the pain with a quick fix. The only way to end the dissonance and restore emotional balance is to listen to our conscience with complete honesty and then, to act with courage to redress the situation. Am I ready to listen to my conscience honestly?

I believe that help is available from outside myself. I experience this help in all kinds of ways, on a daily basis. People of faith seldom lack courage, but it is not empty bravado. It is the quiet and humble knowledge that our lives have a purpose and that we will be guided to fulfil that purpose if we ask. Today I ask for the honesty to listen to my conscience and the courage to take the action I need.

Today I Will………………………………………………………

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Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 2nd by Chris B

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* April 2 *

Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably

Honesty

Addiction is a Faustian pact that we make in order to get short- term pleasure and relief in exchange for dire consequences at a later date. Few of us, however, make the pact in a measured way. Instead, we find ourselves at the bottom of a slippery slope sometimes without realising how it happened. That does not mean we can avoid responsibility. We must be honest and brave in facing up to the mess we find ourselves in, recognising our part in it. Do I take responsibility for my part in my addiction?

In the depths of our despair, we reach out to our Higher Power for help and become ready to do his will. Admitting defeat requires courage but we have little choice because addiction says to us, in the words of Bill W: “You had better do God’s will or I will kill you.” Nevertheless, in spite of so much overwhelming evidence, there are some whose egos simply won’t allow them to do so. We can only hope and pray that they find the capacity for being honest before it is too late. Today I pray for those who are unable to be honest with themselves, may they eventually find the strength and honesty that they need.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 1st by Chris B

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* April 1 *

On this day in 1943, the Big Book of AA was first published

Big Book

Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most influential books of all time. In 2011, the 30 millionth copy was presented to the American Medical Association, which declared Alcoholism an illness in 1956. A parallel book – Narcotics Anonymous, was produced in the 1980’s, based on an earlier ‘Little White Book’. This has sold several million copies. There is an almost biblical flavour to the history of these publications. Their production required the involvement of many contributors, and the editing process was not always easy. Still highly relevant today, they stand as a monument to the dedication and wisdom of the early fellowship members. Am I grateful for the integrity and industry of the pioneers of AA and NA?

“Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” This bold statement at the beginning of Chapter Five of Alcoholics Anonymous is today backed by the living proof of millions throughout the world who have achieved sobriety through following the programme. When much of the world appears unstable and unreliable, it is reassuring to have the rock of the Twelve Step fellowships in our lives. Today I thank God for a second chance at life.

Today I Will…………………………………………………….

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 31st by Chris B

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* March 31 *

On this day in 1947, the first AA meeting was held in London

Message of recovery

In the course of this month, we have looked at Surrender, Fellowship, Gratitude, Facing Reality, Power of Example, and a lot of things besides. It may seem complicated, but we should never lose sight of the basic message which is quite simple: we can change our lives – it needs honesty, openness, courage, and willingness to change but we can do it, with God’s help. Addiction is a complex, vicious, and powerful disease but it responds to treatment and can be successfully held in remission. Do I fully understand the message of recovery?

Our lives have not gone the way we expected. Addiction has forced us into making a ‘plan B’ for our lives. But the good news is that plan B is so much better than plan A. We have been blessed by receiving this second chance and we must show our gratitude by making amends to those we have hurt and carrying the message to others in need. “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126). Today I thank God for a second chance at life.Today I Will………………………………………………………

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 30th by Chris B

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* March 30 *

Remember Mindfulness – send positive thoughts

Contentment

People talk about contentment in recovery happening in stages – at first sobriety can be a confusing time when we don’t quite know what’s happening but at least we’re sober; then our mind and body grow fitter, but we are still a bit anxious; then after several months we relax, feel the power, and start to enjoy our new life. Healthcare professionals talk of five elements needed for true wellbeing:

  • Make connections
  • Take action
  • Take notice
  • Keep learning
  • Give.

It is easy to see that a Twelve Step programme would meet all these requirements. Do I fully understand the path to feeling better than well?

All five of the elements mentioned above require effort. They will not just happen unless we do something. A lot of us had been so trapped in our role of helpless victim that we are not good at taking action. But nothing changes if nothing changes, as they say in AA. We must ask for help. Today I give thanks to God for leading me to a contented recovery.

Today I Will………………………………………………………

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 29th by Chris B

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* March 29 *

Remember Mindfulness – review expectations

The Power to be myself

Why would you want to be something you are not, when you could be better, just by being yourself? Being yourself is a continuous effort. There is always another expectation placed upon you, another person pulling you toward their preferences, another nudge from society to act a certain way. It’s a daily battle to be yourself rather than what the world wants you to be. Such a fundamental issue as this – the way that we see ourselves, requires constant attention especially for those in recovery from addiction. But if we succeed, our self-esteem will rise accordingly. Can I be myself?

Remember the pressures that are put upon us – be who you are, be true to yourself. I very much like the Gestalt Prayer by psychologist Fritz Perls:

I do my thing

And you do your thing.

I am not in this world

To live up to your expectations

And you are not in this world

To live up to mine.

You are you and I am I.

And if by chance

We find each other, it’s beautiful,

If not, it can’t be helped.

Today I give thanks for my individuality

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 28th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – breathe deeply

Happiness in recovery

Man hands on misery to man are the famous words of poet Philip Larkin. If man could just learn to hand on happiness instead, how much pleasanter everything would be. We should not think it impossible. Some people do just that. They are the people for whom, when someone mentions their name, everybody smiles because they subconsciously remember something nice about them. Such people are a true example of a life well lived and what they pass on is indeed happiness. It says a lot about the state of the world that so many of us need to learn how to find happiness because our default state seems to be quiet desperation. But that should not stop us for seeking. Do I consider happiness a reasonable aspiration, the legitimate result of a life well lived?

Happiness is not a goal in itself but is the by-product of actions and attitudes that are spiritually and morally valid. The Big Book tells us that, if we are prepared to live according to spiritual principles and apply ourselves painstakingly to the programme, then we will know a new freedom and a new happiness. What is more, we can see this for ourselves in the faces of our friends in recovery and in the faces of loved ones. Today I ask God for patience to wait for the gift of happiness.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 27th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly

Gratitude

Many of us have experienced a life in addiction where nothing seemed to make sense, nothing could be predicted, and nothing trusted. The world did not suddenly fall into place when we sobered up but at least we became more sensible, predictable, and trustworthy. Soon we realised that we did have two things that we could absolutely depend upon – a Higher Power and the Twelve Step fellowships. In fact, they were both a part of the same thing because they provided us with the support we needed. Anyone reading the Twelve Steps will see how interconnected they are. In a world where only a minority of people live in a conventional family and large numbers rely on medication of some kind just to be able to function, we in recovery can count ourselves among the fortunate few. Am I sufficiently grateful for Twelve Step recovery in my life?

To addicted people, recovery is all about beating addiction, but we should be mindful of the large numbers of dedicated people working in general healthcare who cheerfully shoulder the huge daily responsibility of caring for the sick, regardless of the often-severe cost to themselves. Today I give thanks for all who unselfishly work and care for others in the healing professions.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 26th by Chris B

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March 26th

Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably

Fellowship

Groups of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other, in order to solve a common problem, are found in many settings other than Twelve Step fellowships. People naturally depend on each other and learn from each other. Dependence and learning are two-way activities – there is a giver for every dependent and a teacher for every learner. That is how a fellowship works and that is why the idea of service is important.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. St Paul, Corinthians.

Do I fully understand that fellowship means a giving and a taking in equal measures?

It is not by chance that the Twelve Steps begin with the word ‘we’. Most addicted people, including presumably those who wrote the Steps, were well aware of their egotism and self-obsession that can so easily prevent them from fully engaging in the programme. Yet, in another of those strange paradoxes, nobody else can work the programme for us – we must do it ourselves. Today I thank God for the gift of the Twelve Step fellowships.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days March 23rd by Chris B

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* March 23 *

Remember Mindfulness – enjoy the moment

A second chance at life

A second chance at life deserves a second look. Some people suggest that the word ‘recovery’ would be better put as ‘discovery’ or ‘re-creation’ because happy sobriety is about more than just getting well – it is about getting ‘better than well’. The joy of recovery lies in knowing we are doing things right at last, that we feel good about ourselves, we are physically well and that we belong in the human family. Isn’t that better than the life of desperation that I had before? No wonder that fellowship meetings are full of happiness and laughter. Am I ready to grasp the opportunity of recovery and to make it a re-creation of my life?

The scourge of addiction is a desperate time in our lives, but recovery should be a time for happiness. I must not take myself too seriously. “There is a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance… there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works.” (Ecclesiastes). Today I thank God for giving me a second chance at life and commit myself to making the very best use of it.

Today I Will…………………………………………………….