The recovering and the cured need a program.
There are many suggested programs of recovery
and the best are the ones that all cover all of the
changes needed to have the alcoholic/addict start
a new life style that promotes complete abstinence.
During this phase of recovery the addict/alcoholic
must be honest and diligent to cover all the physical,
emotional and spiritual components of becoming a
positive person.
Secrets kept because of the guilt and shame that would
be caused should the truth be known will make the
drunk drink again and will make the addict use again.
The first requirement of a program for a recovered life is to establish goals.
Goals need to be simple and attainable. The first suggestion is to not take one drink, one day at a time.
The next suggestion is to start writing. A written list of goals is necessary to help the addict alcoholic
establish a program of living that is substance free. The list must be extensive and include as much
detail as is possible. Items on the list must include the new daily routine the recovering person must
follow as well as future items. The future items may include items that may become an integral part
of the recovered persons daily life or may just be a once in a lifetime objective. An example of a
once in a lifetime objective is to dance sober at the wedding of someone near and dear to the
recovered person. Daily routine objectives and goals include eating real food on a regular basis,
exercising, sleeping when appropriate, talking to family and friends, using the thousand pound
telephone when necessary to ask for guidance, attending scheduled therapy sessions, attending
self help group meetings, reading to learn and for relaxation, and setting aside time for prayer and
meditation.
The reason they are in writing is multi faceted.
First is the daily morning review to set the day off in the right direction.
Next is to have in writing a list that can be shared with another person to enhance truthful realism
and accountability of the intended actions of the recovering person, and reestablish trust
with the person they are reviewing the list with.
Spouses and children need to know of the goals list and should not be excluded from seeing the list.
The obvious exception to showing the list to a spouse or partner would be if the other person is
still actively drinking or drugging and the goals list includes leaving that person for a safer environment. Written list are also useful as a reward for the recovered person when at the end of the day they can
check off of the list those goals that have been reached.
The goals list should also be inclusive of every hour of the day.
Idle time for a drunk is a time for the drunk to drink.
establish a program of living that is substance free. The list must be extensive and include as much
detail as is possible. Items on the list must include the new daily routine the recovering person must
follow as well as future items. The future items may include items that may become an integral part
of the recovered persons daily life or may just be a once in a lifetime objective. An example of a
once in a lifetime objective is to dance sober at the wedding of someone near and dear to the
recovered person. Daily routine objectives and goals include eating real food on a regular basis,
exercising, sleeping when appropriate, talking to family and friends, using the thousand pound
telephone when necessary to ask for guidance, attending scheduled therapy sessions, attending
self help group meetings, reading to learn and for relaxation, and setting aside time for prayer and
meditation.
The reason they are in writing is multi faceted.
First is the daily morning review to set the day off in the right direction.
Next is to have in writing a list that can be shared with another person to enhance truthful realism
and accountability of the intended actions of the recovering person, and reestablish trust
with the person they are reviewing the list with.
Spouses and children need to know of the goals list and should not be excluded from seeing the list.
The obvious exception to showing the list to a spouse or partner would be if the other person is
still actively drinking or drugging and the goals list includes leaving that person for a safer environment. Written list are also useful as a reward for the recovered person when at the end of the day they can
check off of the list those goals that have been reached.
The goals list should also be inclusive of every hour of the day.
Idle time for a drunk is a time for the drunk to drink.
Most normal people do not become bored.
Normal people have an ability to amuse themselves during any given moment. The drunk and the
addict cannot amuse themselves by introspection because they are not happy with themselves. Guilt
and shame, fear and anger, confuse their thinking and make it painful to think, let alone to even exist.
Boredom is almost exclusive to the addictive personality.
They do not like whom they are, they wish they were someone else, they do not like where they are,
and they wish they would be someplace else. They cannot face the reality of being happy with who
they are and where they are. The drunk and the addict use the word bored to seek instant gratification,
avoid reality and hide their feelings with drugs and alcohol. They will do anything to take the focus off
their feelings, and usually find someone else to blame for their problem. A good drunken argument or
a fight is always a good answer to boredom.
Normal people have an ability to amuse themselves during any given moment. The drunk and the
addict cannot amuse themselves by introspection because they are not happy with themselves. Guilt
and shame, fear and anger, confuse their thinking and make it painful to think, let alone to even exist.
Boredom is almost exclusive to the addictive personality.
They do not like whom they are, they wish they were someone else, they do not like where they are,
and they wish they would be someplace else. They cannot face the reality of being happy with who
they are and where they are. The drunk and the addict use the word bored to seek instant gratification,
avoid reality and hide their feelings with drugs and alcohol. They will do anything to take the focus off
their feelings, and usually find someone else to blame for their problem. A good drunken argument or
a fight is always a good answer to boredom.
Leaving town on a spree or in a blackout is a good way to hide from reality. A daily routine that is
rewarding is the best start for a cure for boredom and the beginning of the rebuilding of the drunks self esteem. Many times the guilt and shame and the other negative feelings harbored by the drunk cannot
be erased during a brief stay in a treatment center. The ongoing changes needed to cure the drunk may
take the remainder of the drunk’s life to achieve. The happiest cured drunks, with 30 plus years of
sobriety,still work a daily program and attend AA meetings on a regular basis. The cured alcoholic
knows that boredom and complacency are contradictive to sobriety and a happy, joyous and free life.
To the cured alcoholic those negative feelings and false sense of security mean that it is time to go to a meeting and find another alcoholic to help.
rewarding is the best start for a cure for boredom and the beginning of the rebuilding of the drunks self esteem. Many times the guilt and shame and the other negative feelings harbored by the drunk cannot
be erased during a brief stay in a treatment center. The ongoing changes needed to cure the drunk may
take the remainder of the drunk’s life to achieve. The happiest cured drunks, with 30 plus years of
sobriety,still work a daily program and attend AA meetings on a regular basis. The cured alcoholic
knows that boredom and complacency are contradictive to sobriety and a happy, joyous and free life.
To the cured alcoholic those negative feelings and false sense of security mean that it is time to go to a meeting and find another alcoholic to help.
There should be flexibility in the daily routine and there should be no incriminations for goals not
achieved, as long as there was an attempt to make progress. The proper positive attitude looks
at failure as nothing but a challenge to find a better way. Failure to reach a goal is for the
alcoholic/addict with a negative attitude an excuse to drink or drug.
achieved, as long as there was an attempt to make progress. The proper positive attitude looks
at failure as nothing but a challenge to find a better way. Failure to reach a goal is for the
alcoholic/addict with a negative attitude an excuse to drink or drug.
The alcoholic does not need an excuse to drink. The alcoholic drinks because he has to.
Excuses are just stories which are fabricated to veil the real problem of the alcoholic.
The addiction, the compulsion, and the obsession to drink are removed from the alcoholic when
they begin their program of recovery and stick to it for a period of time. Every person is different
and the time span varies for everyone to achieve the relief of the addictive thoughts. Drunken dreams,
or nightmares, are common in early sobriety. When these events occur it is necessary for the alcoholic
to discuss them with their therapist or sponsor immediately.
The addiction, the compulsion, and the obsession to drink are removed from the alcoholic when
they begin their program of recovery and stick to it for a period of time. Every person is different
and the time span varies for everyone to achieve the relief of the addictive thoughts. Drunken dreams,
or nightmares, are common in early sobriety. When these events occur it is necessary for the alcoholic
to discuss them with their therapist or sponsor immediately.
The most important thing to note is that change for a recovering alcoholic is not a once and done
event. Change is a daily requirement and is a process that must be monitored closely.
A good program of recovery requires a constant daily review (an AA 10th step) to prevent a
possible relapse by the alcoholic. A change in attitude and routine may also be required of the
family to support the program of the recovering alcoholic. If the communications among family
members is not capable of fostering healthy changes, counseling for the entire family is strongly recommended.
event. Change is a daily requirement and is a process that must be monitored closely.
A good program of recovery requires a constant daily review (an AA 10th step) to prevent a
possible relapse by the alcoholic. A change in attitude and routine may also be required of the
family to support the program of the recovering alcoholic. If the communications among family
members is not capable of fostering healthy changes, counseling for the entire family is strongly recommended.
Good habits support good sobriety.
Michael_e
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