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. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
