The Starting Point

We are going to use the 12 Step Model as our guideline for Recovery here. We will be doing this not because there are not other ways of Recovery. We will be using this Model for 2 reasons. The first is it is the one I know best and have the most familiarity with and secondly it is the one with the highest success rate in the world.There are over 200 12 Step programs in the world with millions of members. This being a fact illustrates the power and effectiveness of the 12 Step Program. It doesn't matter your problem, The 12 step program, if followed and lived will enrich, improve and give you a life you never dreamed possible. Millions worldwide will tell you the exact same thing. Ask anyone with quality involvement in any 12 Step program.It doesn't matter what your substance of choice is, there are a few things you need to star doing right now. the first is LISTEN, the second find a support group of others who are committed to same path that you are preparing to travel, people you can share HONESTLY with about what's going on for you> your feelings, your fears, your hopes, Third LISTEN, fourth get a copy of The AA BIG BOOK. YES a BIG BOOK, because as I said earlier the 12 step program is the most successful recovery program in the world. All 12 step Programs are based from the Original 12 step Program developed by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob ( Robert Holbrook Smith) in 1938 .What you really need to read is the forward to the first edition. It says, and I quote [“We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics PRECISELY HOW THEY CAN RECOVER is the main purpose of this book] from the original manuscript of the first edition, Alcoholics Anonymous 1938.] If you get yourself a copy of the original manuscript (available online-http://www.barefootsworld.net/aaorigmanuscript.html#chp5 I also suggest you read Chapter 5 How it Works. In the original form. Fifth find someone who's recovery you respect and want and ask them to be your "sponsor" However I would suggest a couple of guidelines here, 1) they are the same sex as you [very important] A man cannot show a women how to be a recovering women and vice versa, as well there is always the off chance that we will get romantically involved as they relationship with a sponsor is very intimate. 2) They have 2-5 years of CONTINUOUS SOBRIETY. It shows that they can stay clean, I normally suggest at least 5 years... You visit their home, this will show you whether they really are what you see at meetings, and unfortunately not all people in meetings are the same person outside meetings. 6 They are gainfully employed or at least financially stable- this is another indication of a persons recovery (usually there can be extenuating circumstances). Sixth learn the H.O.W. of the program. H- Honesty of self, with self and others, O- Open-minded- do not judge- listen take suggestions you'll be surprised how seemingly stupid suggestions help and improve your life and understanding, W-willingness- to take suggestions, to listen, to volunteer, to do what is required of you. Seven LISTEN not just listen BUT HEAR.

Remember GOD DOES NOT MAKE GARBAGE

The Begining ( THE BASICS)

First off we have to recognize and accept that there is a problem, I'm presuming you've done this or you wouldn't be here. Now we have to accept that we need help on solving this problem, and lets be clear about this, you obviously need help or you would not have found this or even be looking for this page or one's like it. So right now accept that you need help and don't know ANYTHING about making your life better, get rid of the EGO and denial on this right off and it will make for a less painful ride to a "Better Life".

Now it is my believe and experience that TOTAL ABSTINENCE is required for REAL RECOVERY. No Flintstone act here "yea but". The only exception is medication from a medical practitioner with intimate knowledge and experience in treating alcoholics and/or addicts. Also to get this total abstinence, I strongly advise you to seek a medical practitioner, as depending on your history of abuse, physical state, mental state, you may require supervised detox. Only a qualified medical professional can make this determination. I emphasize the word qualified, you need to find a doctor with experience and extensive knowledge with addicts and/or alcoholics. I CANNOT STRESS HOW VITAL TO YOUR RECOVERY THIS IS. Depending on your "Drug of Choice" and length of use, detoxing can be very scary and LIFE THREATENING. Again seek QUALIFIED medical advice on Detoxification.

Back to Total Abstinence as the only way. Alcohol and/or drugs affect your perception. They are drugs that affect your state of mind and cognitive abilities. Put simply YOU cannot make sound judgements or even think and act clearly while under the influence of these substances. Do not be deceived of claims of "non habit forming" or "addictive properties" If it crosses the blood brain barrier it is potentially addictive. MODIFICATION or HARM REDUCTION, does not work, PERIOD. This is like taking a serial Murderer or Rapist and saying that it's okay that they only killed or raped 2 people this month they usually do 4 a month. Or a Wife beater who says I only beat my wife once this week. As well studies show that this method is not successful. " QUOTE [ online: May 5, 2010. copy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism ]
Rationing and moderation programs such as Moderation Management and DrinkWise do not mandate complete abstinence. While most alcoholics are unable to limit their drinking in this way, some return to moderate drinking. A 2002 U.S. study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) showed that 17.7 percent of individuals diagnosed as alcohol dependent more than one year prior returned to low-risk drinking. This group, however, showed fewer initial symptoms of dependency.[98] A follow-up study, using the same subjects that were judged to be in remission in 2001–2002, examined the rates of return to problem drinking in 2004–2005. The study found abstinence from alcohol was the most stable form of remission for recovering alcoholics.[99] A long-term (60 year) follow-up of two groups of alcoholic men concluded that "return to controlled drinking rarely persisted for much more than a decade without relapse or evolution into abstinence."[100]

REMEMBER GOD DOES NOT MAKE GARBAGE.

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WELCOME

Hi There, this blog will be about what I believe to be REAL RECOVERY not band aids or feel good BS These are the hard cold true facts that I have learned and been taught by OLD TIMERS and People WHO HAVE REMAINED CLEAN and SOBER and "GOT A LIFE".

There will be no original thoughts here, Because in essence there are no original thoughts only perhaps originals and/or different ways to present or illustrate old Ideas.

Now that this is understood lets get to the heart of the matter. Recovery is not about coddling or enabling. IT IS LIFE CHANGING. PERIOD

WELCOME to the hardest thing that you will do in YOUR LIFE. Make no mistake, Real recovery is not EASY, it is simple, very simple, Yet you will make it hard, as all before you have. Also let's get this STRAIGHT right off the top. REAL RECOVERY has nothing to do about ALCOHOL and/or Drugs. IT IS about the way you react to life, your perceptions, and YOUR actions. Alcohol and/or Drugs are just a symptom of YOUR disease. Take notice of the word DISEASE - Which in our case translates to ILL AT EASE or simply not at ease, which is the basic nature of our problem and answer to our solution.

Back to why I state that this is the hardest thing you will do. I state this because Real Recovery Will challenge everything you know/believe or really what you think you know, Because you really don't know SHIT or you wouldn't need recovery. It will make you face the truth about your biggest problem YOU and YOUR THINKING. You will face the real you not the one we would like to see with all the justifications and rationalizations just the TRUE YOU.
REMEMBER GOD DOES NOT CREATE GARBAGE