Thursday, May 15, 2003
Meth Monster
My addict friend calls coming down off of Meth the Meth Monster. Each of the drugs has a different monster. The first few weeks of being clean and sober are hard. Your brain chemistry is trying to adjust to the lack of the drug in your body. You are starting to feel for the first time in a long...
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Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Control
All humans have the illusion that we are in control. There are even some religions that emphasize this illusion. It is not reality. If I get sick, a virus is in control. If I lose my job, the economy may be the culprit. There are things that we can do--but much we can't do. One things I've been...
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Monday, May 12, 2003
Addict Behaviors
When I was a chemical dependency counselor, I was waiting to get my daughter's glasses made. A young man came in and wanted to get his prescription renewed since his glasses were broken. The sales woman asked him, "How long has it been since you've gotten your prescription?" "I don't know? "Has it...
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Sunday, May 11, 2003
Recovery is optional
You may be in treatment or attend meetings because the courts insist that you go. You can continue using if you don't get caught. You can stay dry but do nothing positive to recovery. It is all up to you. God does all sorts of things to get your attention. He wants you to know that He loves you and...
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Saturday, May 10, 2003
Honesty
Another tool in your recovery tool chest is honesty. For some of you it might be easier than others. If you've followed the code of the street or your family didn't talk about their problems this will be hard for you. Honesty starts by looking at yourself in the mirror. When I was in early recovery...
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Friday, May 9, 2003
Painful things
Life is hard, no matter how you live it. Addicts and alcoholics go through hardships just like everyone else. Some of them are the result of their own bad judgement and stupid behavior--but not all of them. When you are working hard to turn your life around and you are hit by something that is...
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Thursday, May 8, 2003
Patience is a Virtue
People in recovery are impatient. They are used to instant gratification. My experience shows that bad habits are formed quickly and easily and good ones take time and effort. The really good things in life take time to develop. Even if you met your soul mate tomorrow, if you married him or her the...
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Wednesday, May 7, 2003
Ordinary Days
Most of life is composed of ordinary days. Addicts and alcoholics keep expecting new grand experiences from their highs. They were usually disappointed but they keep chasing after that special high. Clean and sober life is different. Most days are ordinary. You get up in the morning, do your work,...
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Tuesday, May 6, 2003
Motivation
Sometimes people get clean or sober because they are required to by the courts or child protective services. After they get clean they like it and find other things in life to do besides get high. Others find being clean or sober dull and boring. They don't like themselves and so they miss the...
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Monday, May 5, 2003
Relapse
What do you do if you relapse? Two things. One is you get back on track and two is that you learn relapse prevention skills. There are a whole lot of relapse prevention skills. They are like tools in a tool kit. The more you have the more situations you can deal with. The most important one is to...
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