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 CENTER OF YOUR SOUL By Jack Kelly

There is a buried treasure
In the center of your soul
Its value you can’t measure
Its content you can’t hold.

There is a fertile garden
In the center of your soul
Where the soil begins to harden
When addiction takes its toll.

There is a sacred temple
In the center of your soul
Where the silence quiets the mind
Where serenity can’t be stole.

There is a loving Spirit
In the center of your soul
Let it guide you on your journey
Let it take you to your goal.

There is a road less traveled
In the center of your soul
Where mysteries are unraveled
Where the truth will make you whole.

Come meet the timeless teacher
In the center of your soul
Discover the precious diamond
Hidden in the coal.

Namaste, (The light in me “honors” the light in you.)
Jack
www.thelazarushouse.net

“The attainment of greater humility is the ‘foundation principle’ behind each of the Twelve Steps.” (12&12 P 70)

HOW IMPORTANT IS HUMILITY IN OUR RECOVERY?



Without some degree of humility, no alcoholic or addict can stay sober. Nearly all of us have found that unless we were willing to develop - much more - of this precious quality than what was required just for sobriety, we still didn’t stand much chance of becoming truly happy. Without humility, it’s difficult to find a useful purpose for our lives, or, in adversity, be able to summon the faith that can meet any emergency.” (12&12 P 70)



Where humility had formerly stood for a forced feeding of humble pie, as we began to learn more about this step, and the true meaning of humility, we began to see it as the - nourishing ingredient - which could give us SERENITY. This improved perception of humility started another “revolutionary change” in our outlook. Our eyes began to open to the immense values which come straight out of - painful ego puncturing. We began to “see.” We began to “listen.” Everywhere we looked, we saw failure and misery transformed, by humility, into priceless assets. We heard story after story of how - humility - brought strength out of weakness, courage out of fear, and gratitude out of self-pity. In every case - pain - had been the price of admission into a new life. But this “admission price” purchased more than we expected. It brought a measure of humility, which we soon discovered to be - a healer of pain. We began to fear pain less, and desire humility more. (12&12 - P 74, 75)



During this process of learning more about humility, the most profound result of all was - the change in our attitude toward God… We began to get over the idea that the Higher Power was a sort of “major league pinch hitter” to be called upon - only in emergencies. Many of us who thought ourselves “religious” woke up to the limitations of this - self-serving and self-centered attitude. The notion that we could still live our own lives, God helping a little now and then, as we went from crisis to crisis, began to evaporate.” (12&12 Page 75)



“As we explore our attitude toward humility, it might be well if we inquire, once more, just what our deeper objectives are. Each of us would like to live at peace with ourselves, with our loved ones, with our neighbors, etc. We would like to be assured that the grace of God can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We have seen that character defects - based upon short sighted or unworthy desires - are the obstacles that block our path toward these objectives. We now clearly see that we have been making - unreasonable demands - upon:

· Ourselves

· Others, and

· God



And the “chief activator” of our defects had been - self-centered fear:

FEAR that we would lose something we already possessed, or

FEAR that we would fail to get something we demanded.” (12&12 Page 76)

“Fear – it was an evil and corroding thread; the entire fabric of our lives - was shot through with it.” (A.A. P 67)

“We were driven by a hundred forms of fear…”



WE HAD TO ASK OURSELVES “WHY” WE HAD ALL THESE FEARS.



Wasn’t it because self-reliance failed us?

Self-reliance was good, as far as it went, but - it didn’t go far enough.

Some of us had great self-confidence, but it didn’t fully solve the fear problem - or any other.

When it made us cocky, it was worse. Perhaps there is a better way – we think so. For we are now on a different basis, the basis of - trusting and relying upon - God’s guidance and direction. We - trust - God’s infinite wisdom rather than our own finite selves. We are in the world to play the role He assigns. Just to the extent that we think, feel, or act as we think He would have us think, feel, or act, does He enable us to - match calamity with serenity.

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

Jack Kelly
G And G Holistic Drug Rehab Center

What Must We “Do” If We Want to Have Our Character Defects “Removed?”

If an alcoholic or addict fails to perfect and enlarge their “spiritual life” through:

Work – Meditation, and prayer,

Self-sacrifice – Taking time to help others they will not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If we do not work, we will eventually relapse, and if we continue to relapse, we will eventually die from our disease, or wish we were dead. (A.A. Page-15)

Many of us are “loners.” We often carry this trait into our recovery program. We go to meetings. On occasion, we read recovery literature. We may even have daily phone conversations with other alcoholics or addicts.

What’s missing here? Accountability! When we’re loners, we are not accountable to anyone. How can we solve this problem? We can solve this problem by first of all becoming “accountable” to ourselves. It would help to have a

RELAPSE PREVENTION BAROMETER to help us keep track of the progress we are making in our recovery.

I’ll provide you with this over the next few days, but before going any further, let’s define character:

WHAT IS CHARACTER?

The dictionary defines character as: “Moral or ethical strength; QUALITIES of honesty, integrity, or courage.



WHAT “QUALITIES” DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME AN “ADDICTION SURVIVOR?”

The same qualities it takes to win a Super Bowl, climb Mount Everest, start a business, get in good shape, etc.



1. Courage: The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty or pain without fear; bravery.



2. Commitment: To pledge, bind, or obligate one-self to achieve a goal; to burn the bridges of escape behind you.



3. Honesty: Freedom – from deceit or fraud, truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness.



4. Humility: Free from vanity, boastfulness, or grandiosity; not arrogant, a - realistic view - of one’s limitations.



5. Discipline: An exercise, regimen, or - series of steps - that improves one’s skill and control.



6. Fortitude: Strength of mind that enables one to endure temporary pain or adversity with courage.



7. Persistence: To persevere in spite of difficulty, discomfort, discouragement, or obstacles.



8. Forgiveness: The wisdom and courage to let go of anger or resentment toward oneself, or another; compassion.



9. Patience: Quietly and steadily persevering, bearing hardship, or discomfort with fortitude and calmness.



10. Altruism: Unselfish concern for the welfare of others.



11. Resilience: Springing back, rebounding; recovering from adversity.



12. Teamwork: Cooperative and coordinated effort with others to achieve a common goal.



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

Jack Kelly
www.thelazarushouse.net
Jack Kelly, C.A.P., N.L.P.
Miami, Florida
Jack Kelly,C.A.P., N.L.P. is certified in addiction counseling and Neuro Linguistic Programming. His experience in working with alcoholics and addicts covers a span of more than 30 years.

He is the author of the soon to be published book, Twenty One Recovery Myths The Addiction Survivors Guide To The Twelve Steps.

His four CD's include:
Twenty-One Recovery Myths
The Humpty Dumpty Dilemma
The Antidote For Addiction
Stress Buster - A Guided Meditation

His imagination and creative approach to recovery makes him a sought after speaker at treatment centers and half way houses in South Florida.