Yes, that’s right, you are going to have to go to meetings. I know you don’t want to go, you’ve got better things to do, you don’t think you will fit in, you are not like these people, you don’t like them, they don’t like you, they couldn’t possibly help you, etc. But to get into a stable recovery, you have to go and let me explain why. Recovery is a program where you have to get out of yourself and begin to help others. This is how addicts restore their sense of self-worth. What we cannot do alone we can do together.
Let me give you the facts and let’s see if you can see the importance of attending recovery group meetings (Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, and Gamblers Anonymous, etc.). Four percent of addicts can stop the addiction on their own for the next year. Fifty percent of addicts, who go to inpatient or outpatient treatment, can stop the addiction for the next year. Seventy percent of addicts who go through treatment and then regularly attend recovery group meetings can stop the addiction for the next year. Ninety percent of addicts, who go through treatment, attend recovery group meetings and attend aftercare stay clean and sober for the next year.
If I told you that you had terminal cancer, you would want to know the
treatment. If I told you that this treatment was very uncomfortable, you would still be
interested. Now lets say that cancer treatment was very uncomfortable for one hour per day, but the people who went
to this treatment had a ninety percent recovery rate. Would want that treatment? Would you show up even if
it hurt? That’s all I am saying about addiction. Addiction kills ninety-five percent of the people who have
it. You need to maximize your chances of recovery in every way possible. You have to be willing to go to
any length to recover. You deserve that ninety-percent recovery rate. That means you have to go to recovery group
meetings. Now make up your mind that you are willing to do what you need to do to free yourself
from the slavery to this addiction. Make some promises to yourself.
1. I promise to use do everything possible to recover from my addiction.
2. I promise to use this journal as a means to get to know my innermost feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
3. I promise to read this journal regularly.
4. I promise to write this journal for myself—not for anyone else.
5. I promise to addend regular sessions with my therapist.
6. I promise to regularly attend recovery group meetings and help others there.
7. I promise to attend aftercare for a full year after my last addictive behavior.
8. I promise to stay committed to my journey toward healing.
9. I promise to ask for help whenever I need it.
10. I promise that I will continue in the program even after I am well so I can help others who are going through a similar pain.
Look in the phone book or talk to your therapist and find a recovery group in your area. Choose one that specializes in your addiction, Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, and Gambler’s Anonymous etc. When you walk into your first meeting, look around for a person that needs some encouragement. You will notice them because they look like you feel. Then sit next to them smile and say hello. This person is like you and they need you. At the end of the meeting encourage that person to “keep coming back.” Encourage other people too if you have the chance. Shake a few hands and have some coffee. Check out how you feel when you encourage someone else in recovery. This is you taking a major step outside of yourself and giving to others. When you get back home, write in your journal.
List five reasons why you are reluctant to attend recovery groups.
Are these reasons enough to die for?
Describe your first meeting in detail. Exactly what happened and how did you feel.
Who did you help there? How did it feel to encourage someone else in recovery?
Did the people in the group seem to be dealing with the same problems that you are?
What did they say that made sense to you?
Did you feel more comfortable as the meeting went on? Could you relate? Did some of these people have something that you wanted?
To save your life,
you need to regularly come to these meetings and help others?
Going to your second meeting will not be as hard because you have been once. You know where this meeting is, how it is conducted, what people will say? You are getting to be an old hand at this recovery thing and you can be proud of yourself.
Discuss the shame you felt while engaged in your addictive behavior.
Discuss how it feels to be doing something good for yourself and others.
Meetings won’t always go perfectly and someone might say or do something to hurt your feelings. This is normal because addicts are supersensitive to criticism. We can’t stand not being perfect. When your feelings get hurt try and see the good thing you learned. Look inward for the problem not outward. AA says in Step Ten that when you feel bad something is wrong with you. Don’t blame another person for making you feel bad. You make you feel bad.
Do something good for yourself. You are keeping your journal and working the program. Have a hot tub bath with candles, go fishing, go for a walk, have some ice cream, talk with someone you love over the phone or in person. You need to reinforce yourself as you work the program so you can make recovery a habit.
List ten things you could do for yourself to reward yourself for working the program.
Hang around after the meeting and clean up the ashtrays or cups. Offer to sweep up the floor. Go out for coffee and pie with someone. This is your new recovery group, and you need them as much as they need you. These meetings are mutually beneficial.
Write down your thoughts about the next five meetings. Who was there? What did someone say that made sense to you? What did you share? How did you feel? Who did you encourage and how did they respond?
The benefits of recovery group meetings are as follows:
1. The group is a microcosm of the world.
2. In the group are people we identify with mother, father, brothers, sisters, friends and enemies.
3. The group serves as a healthy family from which members can learn normal social skills.
4. The group teaches the tools of recovery.
5. The group gives you a chance to share.
6. Members who are further along in the program teach you how they stayed clean and sober.
7. The group gives you a chance to be honest about your addictive behavior.
8. Members understand addiction like no one else ever will. Addicts understand each other.
9. The group is your new peer group.
10. The group members model healthy recovery.
As the meetings go on you will need a sponsor. This is someone who has a stable recovery that you admire. Ask the group to write down their first name and phone number in case you need to call someone when you are tempted to become involved in your addictive behavior. Force yourself to call one of these people once a day just to make contact with someone in the program.
From this list, write down five members that you might like as a sponsor. Describe them if you can’t remember their name.
At the next meeting ask one of them to be your temporary sponsor. Try this person out for awhile. If you are getting along well, meet regularly to work the program. The sponsor will know what you need to do.
Name: ____________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
Other member’s names and numbers you can contact if you need help.
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________________________
9. ___________________________________________________________________________
10. __________________________________________________________________________
· Are you willing to do what is necessary to recover?
· Are you going to meetings?
· Are you helping others in recovery?
· Do you have a sponsor?
· How does it feel to be working the program?
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says that only God can relieve the illness of addiction: To begin a new journey to God, go to www.godtalkstoyou.com.
Spiritual Tools
Three special tools may
help you along the spiritual journey to recovery:
1.
A new manuscript God
Talks To You teaches you exactly how to make conscious contact with God
and guides you step by step along the spiritual journey. This book has just been
published by 1st Books and can be purchased online by clicking this link: 
2.
A musical CD, God
Talks.
You can order the CD by clicking this link: God
Talks. Or you can
download songs for free at: www.mp3.com/godtalks.
Hear these songs over and over again. Let God’s love for you sink into your
soul and heal you.
3.
A meditation tape will give you long communications from God. Buy this
tape, listen to it often, and share it with friends. The tape takes you through
two exercises where God speaks to you directly. You can order the tape by
clicking this link: A
Communication From God.
To begin a new journey to God, go to www.godtalkstoyou.com.
Order books on
alcoholism and drug abuse: