Archive for September, 2009

As the alcoholic or addict becomes aware of his or her plight then admitting it to others seems less a challenge than might first be expected.  It’s at that point it’s time to start thinking in terms of “surrendering” and seeking guidance from professionals or people in the community who consider themselves in a recovery program.  That is usually Alcoholics or Narcotic Anonymous and most frequently it’s based on understanding that “things have gotten out of hand” and new directions are needed.  It’s not how people get into AA & NA that’s important it is how they can begin to relate to what they are told and show a willingness to follow suggestions.

The first major suggestion in recovery is determination if medical treatment is required and if so then what type is needed.  That can be determined by a medical professional or usually by someone who has known addiction through personal experience.  If it’s decided an AA or NA meeting would be the first good learning experience then that’s easily arranged.  It doesn’t take long for the substance abuser to decide if the “meeting model” might meet their needs.  Much depends on the newcomer’s willingness to listen and open both heart and mind to the scene taking place.

For the majority of recovering addicts and alcoholics attendance at group meetings has proved the path to follow.  In fact, the 12-Step programs are the original models set up and established by people who felt they could gain sobriety and return to productive living by following the suggested steps presented in order.  AA & NA “work” and the key to maintenance is regular attendance at meetings.  For many, recovery begins with the maxim of: “Attending ninety meetings in ninety days!”  Thousands have followed that advice and it remains popular to this day.

Regular attendance at meetings adds structure to the recovery process.  Meetings offer a new route to social activity and to interacting with others with similar challenges in life.

As is stated in the AA preamble meetings are the best way to share experiences, strength and hope.  Members hear and share what lives were like before recovery.  In part, this is so the newcomer may relate but it also allows the established member to recall times of difficulty and appreciate accomplishments that followed after sobriety was attained.

Meetings bring a feeling of “believable hope.”  The group hears how recovering members stay clean and sober.  How they deal with new issues they must face without alcohol or other mood altering chemicals.  The AA or NA meeting offers a safe forum to discuss feelings and concerns when new challenges arise.  It is at meetings members develop support networks and spend newly discovered time after alcohol and drugs lost control.

Always Remember: “Meeting Makers Make It!”

Addiction treatment presupposes many common “webs” that entangle those seeking change and guidance from dependency on Alcohol, prescription medication, or narcotics. One major indicator for most who need treatment is general bankruptcy and restoration of  what’s often termed: spirituality.

Webster terms that concept as: the quality or state of being spiritual.  Another source defines spirituality as – related to matters of the spirit, beliefs tied to a spirit world, multidimensional and one or more deities.

So as the curious and the newcomer look into recovery and clarification of both AA and NA they run immediately into the spiritual aspects of recovery.  In fact, the first time they review the 12-steps of these programs they encounter The Eleventh Step and some draw back in trepidation.  The step states: “We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.”  In some instances this is too strong a statement.  It may make the reader and potential member recoil in fear.

Stop…please do not run!

Closer examination in the Big Book of AA entitled simply: Alcoholics Anonymous, addresses this aspect of the fellowship in depth. The book helps clear up concerns of those who lack interest in such matters or may have turned their backs on organized religions or other groups intent on “recruitment” to some particular cause.  The chapter devoted to the subject in the Big Book is the 4th and is entitled:  We Agnostics.

All who become involved with AA or NA find themselves approaching the 11th Step as they meet and discourse with fellow members.  In most treatment centers therapy groups discuss the issue of spiritual renewal and how its loss left many people with an empty feeling: “a hole in the middle of the gut that couldn’t be filled.”  Lectures too are keyed to the challenge and essentially provide a review of the 4th chapter following a reading assignment.  “This Big Book effort must be commended if for no other reason than it removes spirituality from missinterpretation as religious teaching,” one theologian stated.

Reflection on moral codes, philosophies of clean living have often been presented as cures for substance abuse and addiction.  “Will power” is a usually cited as the pathway to follow.  However, no matter how strong the alcoholic wished for direction the power simply was not there and human resources generated by the “will” didn’t do the trick.
Power was lacking and had to be discovered.  It had to be:  “A power greater than ourselves” and where could the suffering alcoholic and addict find such an asset?

It begins with the admission that such a higher power is needed and seems to work for others.  It need not be a traditional religious concept and it can be contained in almost any identity. Some have embraced the local AA group as that power greater than themselves.  Others may turn to nature as providing their conscious contact with an inner spirit and lead to times of quiet reflection in places of natural beauty where their power resides.

So the recovering alcoholic or addict is actively seeking ways to keep life in balance. By staying in touch with the source of power clear choices present themselves and quiet, deep understanding emerges.  Some find prayer and meditation directed to the “higher power” fulfilling the need.  This practice often keeps the recovering person attuned to the inner self, the program of recovery underway, the important people in their lives, and the resources discovered that are now available when called upon.

NOTE:
“Big Books,” the basic texts of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, are now available in their entirety online.

Alcoholism – substance abuse treatment – is effective in most cases when the individual has a sincere desire for recovery.  That person must want to be sober and willing to do whatever it takes to attain that goal.  Research shows that a minority of alcoholics remain sober after treatment, while some have periods of sobriety alternating with drinking bouts.  Others seem unable to stop drinking for any serious length of time and most of this group has been mentally impaired in some way.

Treatment outcome for addiction compares favorably with those of many other chronic medical conditions.  The longer one abstains from “chemical use” the more likely one is to remain sober.  Of course it is important to remember than many people relapse before long-term sobriety takes hold.  That’s where the desire for recovery plays such an important role.  If relapse does occur it is important to try to stop drinking again and to seek help as soon as possible. On going support from friends and family members is very important and this “support network” is always encouraged by therapist/counselors.  The only warning applies in avoiding “people, places and things” that had been the drinking or drug abuse life-style.

For most persons “in recovery” the support network involves 12-Step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.  They share the same views and their philosophy of abstinence prevails if long-term results are to take hold.  Both programs are based on social contact through regular attendance at meetings and these are available in nearly every community in the nation.  In fact, millions of AA and NA members reside in towns and villages around the world. When it comes to becoming a member of AA or NA both embrace the same philosophies and abide by similar Steps to Recovery. One need only include Narcotics Anonymous or N.A. when reading the AA preamble:

The Preamble

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. (See: www.aa.org. or www.na.org)

Meetings are the mechanism for social exchange and so the foundation for any long-term “cure.”  Through meetings new friendships are forged and newcomers can seek counsel from members who can relate to the uncertaintities of recovery.  Attending meetings regularly adds structure and prevents feelings of loneliness and isolation.  Treatment centers universally recommend after-care sessions in the form of AA/NA attendance and most furnish locations of local groups for former residents.  Great importance is attached to mutual experiences and new members connect with people who understand the rewards and challenges of major life changes.  New members are accepted for who they are by those who have gone through the same process sometimes decades previously.

AA and NA regard their programs as “a fellowship” and embrace them as a way to share “experience, strength and hope.”  When individuals compare what things were like before treatment…new paths were just being outlined they discover how much they hold in common with other older members.  The newcomer feels confidence in those shared experiences and the long term member is reminded of the abuses, pains and losses that dependency had caused in their lives.  For all it provides comparisons in the specific changes that have been applied…underscores how rewards come to those determined to put alcoholism and addiction behind them.  It’s why AA members say:

IT WORKS IF YOU WORK IT!