Addiction Survivors

Addiction Survivors « Holistic Lifestyles Radio

Addiction Survivors

by Holistic Lifestyles Radio on Mar.24, 2011, under Home

One of the most accurate ways we can tell if we are physically sick, is when our body temperature rises above 98.6 degrees. It’s a “barometer” which indicates that – our bodies have become infected – with some form of virus or disease. We then need to take some “action” to bring the temperature under control: take an aspirin, sleep, visit a doctor, etc. Ask yourself the following two questions:

1. Am I Willing To Do “Whatever It Takes” To Become An Addiction Survivor? YES NO

2. On A Scale of 1 (low) to10 (high), What Is My Level Of Commitment? ____

RELAPSE PREVENTION BAROMETER

You can use the – Relapse Prevention Barometer – which is attached, to “take your temperature” each day. Each morning, check off FIVE GOALS you want to accomplish. Each evening, circle the goals you actually achieved.

This tool will help you “measure” your REAL level of commitment to becoming an – addiction survivor. Someone once said” God is the “architect” of our sobriety, and we are the “builders.” We have to WORK at building our sobriety on a solid foundation.

What’s the point of doing all this WORK? “The point is – we are willing to grow – along spiritual lines.” (A.A. Page 60)

Why is it important that we GROW along spiritual lines?

Because: “You may be suffering from an illness which – only a spiritual experience will CONQUER.” (A.A. P 44)

How do we “conquer” our cravings, obsessions, and compulsions?

“Our hope - lies in the MAINTENANCE and GROWTH of a – spiritual experience. When the spiritual illness is – overcome, we straighten out – mentally, emotionally, and physically.” (A.A. Page 64, 66)

How do we “maintain” and “grow” our spiritual experience?

“We begin to PRACATICE – all Twelve Steps of the program- in our daily lives, so that we, and those about us, may find – emotional sobriety.” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions – Page 106)

We don’t achieve emotional sobriety by AVOIDING doing something. We have to PICK UP the “simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet.” When we arrive at the doors of A.A. or N.A. we all have the same “primary” addiction,

ESCAPING from any form of mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical PAIN, and we only have – one coping skill to deal with this PAIN. Many people believe that – people, places, and things – are the major obstacles to recovery. THIS IS NOT TRUE! It’s the C.I.A. Complacency, Indifference, and Apathy.

To become addiction survivors each of must WORK our way through the Twelve Steps to develop the – courage, faith, strength, endurance and wisdom REQUIRED to face the challenges of fear, anger, resentment, guilt, shame anxiety, and loneliness that will come our way. Perhaps the most important FACT we need to remember is:

There is no happy future in addiction – just a regrettable past – that keeps repeating itself over, and over again.

We can – recreate our lives- and build a happier future by – developing new habits and coping skills – such as those listed on the RELAPE PREVENTION BAROMETER. Challenge yourself – to “practice” 5 new habits and coping skills over the next 30 days.

Namaste, (The light in me “honors” the light in you.

Jack

jack@thelazarushousehouse.net

RELAPSE PREVENTION BAROMETER

WE CAN’T SOLVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MIND THAT CREATED IT

30 DAY CHALLENGE

DAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1. Meditate For 15 to 20 Minutes. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2. Pray To God, as you understand God. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3. Read For 1 Minute: As Bill Sees It, 24 Hour Book. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

4. Work On Step ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

5. Attend a Meeting: A.A., N.A., Pills Anonymous. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

6. Listen To An Inspirational CD _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

7. Read Inspirational Literature, Big Book, etc. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

8. Get A Sponsor, or Talk To Your Sponsor. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

9. Reach Out: Make Newcomers Feel Welcome. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10. Write A Gratitude List, or Read It. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

11. Invest $ in your recovery. Buy books, CD’s etc. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

12. Perform a random act of kindness. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

DAY 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

1. Meditate For 15 to 20 Minutes. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2. Pray To God, as you understand God. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3. Read For 1 Minute: As Bill Sees It, 24 Hour Book. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

4. Work On Step ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

5. Attend a Meeting: A.A., N.A., Pills Anonymous. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

6. Listen To An Inspirational CD _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

7. Read Inspirational Literature, Big Book, etc. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

8. Get A Sponsor, or Talk To Your Sponsor. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

9. Reach Out: Make Newcomers Feel Welcome. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10. Write A Gratitude List, or Read It. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

11. Invest $ in your recovery. Buy books, CD’s etc. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

12. Perform a random act of kindness. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

DAY 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1. Meditate For 15 to 20 Minutes. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2. Pray To God, as you understand God. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3. Read For 1 Minute: As Bill Sees It, 24 Hour Book. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

4. Work On Step ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

5. Attend a Meeting: A.A., N.A., Pills Anonymous. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

6. Listen To An Inspirational CD _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

7. Read Inspirational Literature, Big Book, etc. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

8. Get A Sponsor, or Talk To Your Sponsor. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

9. Reach Out: Make Newcomers Feel Welcome. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10. Write A Gratitude List, or Read It. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

11. Invest $ in your recovery. Buy books, CD’s etc. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

12. Perform a random act of kindness. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

THE ANTIDOTE FOR ADDICTION (1)

THE ANTIDOTE FOR ADDICTION (1) « Holistic Lifestyles Radio

THE ANTIDOTE FOR ADDICTION (1)

by Holistic Lifestyles Radio on Jun.01, 2010, under Home

Is there an antidote for addiction?

Yes! That’s the good news.

Here’s the bad news!

What if – you had to drive ten miles EVERY DAY to get the antidote?

Would you be willing to drive the ten miles?

Before saying “Yes, I want the antidote,” let’s explore this a little further.

You have to ask yourself, “How bad do I want it?”

This isn’t a trick question.

Addiction has its rewards.

Are you ready and willing to walk away from the “safety” of your solitary prison where you don’t have to – feel any pain – from the outside world; where you don’t have to grow, or change?

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In starting our recovery journey, all we have to do is – take one step away from our solitary prisons – by “connecting” with people who have been where we are, people who will walk the journey of the thousand miles with us – every step of the way. Here’s the wisdom passed on to us the 100 original members of A.A.:

The tremendous fact – for every one of us - is that we have discovered a common solution.

We have found – a way out - from the slavery of addiction, on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action.

This is the great news the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, carries to those who suffer from addiction. (An appropriate title for the book could possibly be – The Antidote For Addiction – more than 150 Twelve Step Programs are built on its foundation)

Nearly all of us have – recovered. We have SOLVED the addiction problem.

The physical cravings, along with the obsessive thoughts and compulsive feelings to use pills, alcohol, or drugs, have been – removed.

They do not exist for us.

We are neither cocky, nor are we afraid.

This is our experience; this is how we react, so long as – we stay in fit spiritual condition. (A. A. Page 17, 85)

Today, make a fresh start. Read the Doctor’s Opinion. Renew – your spirit.

Namaste, (The light in me “honors” the light in you.)

Jack

THE ANTIDOTE FOR ADDICTION – WHAT IS AN ANTIDOTE? By Jack Kelly

THE ANTIDOTE FOR ADDICTION – WHAT IS AN ANTIDOTE? By Jack Kelly « Holistic Lifestyles Radio

THE ANTIDOTE FOR ADDICTION – WHAT IS AN ANTIDOTE? By Jack Kelly

by hollis on Jun.18, 2010, under Home

An antidote is:

“A REMEDY to counteract a POISON; something that works against an – evil or unwanted condition.”

Based on your knowledge and experience, on a scale of 1 to10, rate the effectiveness of the following antidotes.”

During the first 20 years of Alcoholics Anonymous, 1935 -1955, the recovery rate was around 75%. (A.A. P xx)

The “key” to their success could probably be summed up in a few sentences:

The spiritual life is not a – theory. We have to live it. We are not cured of our addictions. What we have is a daily

reprieve “contingent upon” the growth and maintenance of our spiritual condition.”

(A.A 85)

WHY ALL THIS EMPHASIS ON THE SPIRITUAL?

It is based on the – experience – of the 100 original members of A.A.:

1. You may be suffering from an illness which only a – spiritual experience – will conquer. (A.A. Page 44)

2. AFTER the spiritual illness is overcome, we straighten out mentally, emotionally, and physically. (A.A. P 64)

3. Our real purpose is to become “spiritually fit” so we can be of – maximum service – to God, and the people God puts in our lives. (A.A. Page 77)

Namaste, (The light in me “honors” the light in you.)

Jack

www.thelazarushouse.net