Jan 04 2009
…why I’m here…
Hello, my name is…If you happen to be a recovering addict, been to a recovery meeting, or watched Hollywood’s impersonation of what a “12-step” meeting is like, you have heard those words, and possibly you have as much disdain for them as I do. I know, I know, an addict despising recovery meetings. It is true though, I do, I despise recovery meetings. I have attended many meetings in which nothing was accomplished, I felt, except, we, in unison, greeted those that came, as they told us who they were. I guess, if you are at all like me, recovery meetings are the bread and butter for addicts. I believed that once upon a time too, now, after eleven years, find that most recovery efforts simply address the activity of addiction without ever pursuing either the underlying addictions, or root causes for such insane living.For this reason alone, well, not exactly, for two reasons, I write here. One, to offer hope to those like me, whether further along in their journey, or just beginning. Secondly, I write to offer AUTHENTIC experiences from one addict to whomever, and I believe what I have to offer will enlighten and better your day. So, thanks for coming by and please leave a comment, whether you agree or not, because I can assure you, this is anything but normal… …thanks…
I’m very interested in what you have to say.
Besides greeting each other in unison, one other thing about meetings: I’ve never got drunk or high at one. I can’t say that about many other places, including church. And meetings is where I discovered I am no longer alone.
What I think is messed up is rendering the program to “Don’t use & go to meetings.” That mindset came out of New York AA ages ago.
To me, real recovery is what happens in my life between meetings.
Back in the day, in Cleveland AA, they quoted Dr. Bob’s summation of the 12 Steps: “Trust God. Clean house. Help others.”
I didn’t “get it” sittin’ at meetings and I’ve been to a LOT of them. Nor did I get down to causes and conditions sitting at meetings. Change came for me when I took the 12 Steps, especially when I cleaned house.
Let me know when you post again and I’ll come read you.
Drop by my blog and write a six-word memoir if you are so inclined.
Welcome to Today.
Recovery Rocks!
Roxie
http://recoveryrocks.today.com/
Great six-word memoir. Rather compelling. Thanks for posting.
Take good care of yourself.
Roxie
http://recoveryrocks.today.com/2009/01/04/six-word-memoirs/
Great first post! I’m so glad you decided to come here. Welcome.
One a side note: I deal with mental illness on Mondays and addiction related topics on Tuesdays each week on my blog. If you ever want to do a guest post to get some more exposure, let me know. I’m all about trying to get cross traffic going wherever I can…and what you have to say definitely needs to be heard.
Jen