Blog Tag: Alcoholism
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12 Health Risks of Heavy Drinking
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Dr tansplanting a cirrhotic liver
Health Risks of Alcohol: 12 Health Problems Associated with Chronic Heavy Drinking
It’s no secret that alcohol consumption can cause major health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver and injuries sustained in automobile accidents. But if you think liver disease and car crashes are the only health risks posed by drinking, think again: Researchers have linked alcohol consumption to more than 60 diseases.
“Alcohol does all kinds of things in the body, and we’re not fully aware of all its effects,” says James C. Garbutt, MD, “It’s a pretty complicated ...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 9, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholism Disease Men Women Youth cancer Chronic Heavy Drinking cirrhosis depression Health Risks of Alcohol Source Type: blogs
What is Alcoholism?Email this article to a colleague.
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Alcoholism is a primary, chronic, progressive disorder that has a predictable course; with inherited, physical, psychological and environmental risk factors; and is fatal if not treated and its progress arrested.
A Disease of the Brain
Alcoholism is also a brain disease because alcohol changes the brain—it changes its structure, how it works and how it thinks. These brain changes can be long lasting, and lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who are alcoholic.
Primary
Alcoholism is not the result of another disorder but it is a causative factor in other disorders.
Chronic
Alcoholism is a chronic condition that con...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 9, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholism Disease Men Treatment Women chronic Disease of the Brain fatal primary progressive Source Type: blogs
What is Relapse?Email this article to a colleague.
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Relapse - One drop in not a flood
Relapse is defined as returning to drinking or drugging after a period of not drinking – abstinence.
Relapse to drinking does not come on suddenly and without warning, it is a process over time.
Staying clean/sober is not recovery, working a program and finding some serenity and peace is sobriety.
Relapse cannot be avoided by shear willpower of self-discipline.
SELF-TEST FOR RELAPSE WARNING SIGNALS
Here is a simple list of relapse symptoms.
Lack of personal confidence to remain clean/sober or abstinent.
Denial
Convincing yourself that you will never ever drink or use again.
You star...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 9, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Addictions Alcohol Alcoholism Drugs Recovery Relapse Sobriety Sponsorship clean/sober relapse symptoms returning to drinking or drugging willpower of self-discipline Source Type: blogs
Door of OpportunityEmail this article to a colleague.
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“People suggested that I find a Higher Power. I was not fooled. I knew when they said Higher Power they meant God. And I knew that God waited for me to step out of line just once so that he could take his revenge. I wanted no part of God.
“With this resistance I plodded along for a few months. Whenever people asked me how I was going, I would say, ‘Fine, just fine,’ no matter how hard I was crying inside. …
“When I had finished talking, he told me something simple: ‘You don’t have to drink over it.’ What an idea! I had thought that situations made me drink. If I was angry, I dr...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 9, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Higher Power Recovery angry I drank happy I drank I did not have to drink situations made me drink Source Type: blogs
A Program of ActionEmail this article to a colleague.
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Action will untabgle the heart to recovery
A.A.’s 12-Steps – A Program of Action
A.A.’s Twelve Steps, which constitute its program of recovery, are in no way a statement of belief; they simply describe what the founding members did to get sober and stay sober.
They contain no new ideas: surrender, self-inventory, confession to someone outside ourselves, and some form of prayer and meditation are concepts found in spiritual movements throughout the world for thousands of years.
What the Steps do is frame these principles for the suffering alcoholic – sick, frightened, defiant, and grimly determined not to be...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 9, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Adult Children of Alcoholics Al-anon Alateen Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Gamblers Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous Recovery Relationships Sobriety 12 steps confession program of recovery self-inventory surrender Source Type: blogs
The Poisoned Apple…Email this article to a colleague.
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One comforting aspect of George’s drinking over the years was that I always knew I could get a drink if I needed one. I could call George and he would be over in fifteen minutes with a case of beer thrilled to have the old times back. Now? Dad would be more likely to buy me a beer than George. For some reason, this bothers me, and has for weeks. I guess that old saying about you always want what you can’t have is true. The same goes for my Diet Cokes. I never thought much about Diet Cokes in my younger years. I could always just drive to the store and buy some...
Source: The 4th Avenue Blues - February 8, 2010 Category: Mental Illness Tags: Mom and Me Mental Illness Maggie Compulsiveness The Coke Ritual Alcoholism walking George and the Gang Twitter Addictions Source Type: blogs
Control Freak?Email this article to a colleague.
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Do you want to control life like a canal controls water
Controllism Questionnaire.
Many people in recovery from alcoholism, co-dependency and gambling find they have issues relating to control and submission. To find a comfortable medium one needs to examine the extremes. This is one extreme.
Do you find yourself serious most of the time so that having fun is difficult for you?
Do you find yourself feeling insecure and lonely even in the company of others?
Have you ever felt yourself living a life of quiet desperation?
Do you often hide your true feelings?
Do you either try to make everything “smooth” or do y...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 8, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholism Co-dependency Drugs Emotions Gambling Recovery Relationships Sobriety Spirituality Treatment control freak controlism Source Type: blogs
Acceptance and SurrenderEmail this article to a colleague.
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Compliance and Acceptance; Submission and Surrender
By Dr Harry Tiebout, an early friend of AA who wrote extensively about alcoholism and AA. This edited article illustrates an often subtle but devastating state of mind in recovering alcoholics.
Dr Harry Tiebout
In alcohol treatment and recovery one fact must be kept in mind, namely the need to distinguish between submission and surrender. In submission, an individual accepts reality consciously but not unconsciously. He accepts as a practical fact that he cannot at that moment conquer reality, but lurking in his unconscious is the feeling, “There’ll come a day...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 8, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Denial Disease Emotions Faith Recovery Relapse Sobriety acceptance Compliance Harry Tiebout Submission surrender Source Type: blogs
Dental Infections in RecoveryEmail this article to a colleague.
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This article from the American Academy of Family Physicians may help identify problems.
What is dental caries?
Dental caries (CARE-eez) is an infection caused by certain bacteria (germs) in your mouth. It destroys the enamel (the hard outer layer) and dentin (the bone-like tissue under the enamel) of your teeth. More common names for dental caries are cavities and tooth decay.
How can I prevent dental caries?
Taking care of your mouth is important. You and your family should visit a dentist each year, starting at one year of age.
You should brush and floss twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride (FLOOR-ide). You...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 8, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Addictions Alcohol Alcoholism Co-dependency Drugs Family Gambling Healthy Methadone Recovery dental caries dental infections gum disease periodontal tooth decay Source Type: blogs
Delirium TremensEmail this article to a colleague.
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The DT’s
“That year I went to an alcohol treatment program twice. The first time I was in treatment, I was shaving at the mirror in the bathroom and it seemed to me that my beard was growing back in as fast as I could shave it off. Even though I was in a hospital gown, I escaped, running down the streets and jumping up and over fences. I was on the porch of a woman’s house banging on the door for her to let me in when the police arrived. I tried to convince them she was my wife and my children were inside, but they saw the hospital bracelet on my wrist, and they took me back to the program. …
“The doc...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 8, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholism Treatment alcohol treatment delirium tremens dt's Source Type: blogs
Undoing Denial is First StepEmail this article to a colleague.
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Denial is distorted reality
Breaking through denial is alcoholic’s, addict’s first step in recovery
Looking in the mirror and accepting what we see can be one of the hardest things we ever do. It’s especially hard when the image staring us in the face is painful or doesn’t fit with how we want to see ourselves.
Sometimes, the truth is so painful that we avoid it at any cost.
Refusing to accept a painful reality that alters the perception of ourselves is a psychological defense called denial.
As human beings, we may use denial to protect ourselves from knowledge, insight or awareness that threatens ...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 8, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholism Denial Disease Drugs Psychological Illness Treatment chemical dependency first step in recovery psychological defense Source Type: blogs
Continued AA AttendanceEmail this article to a colleague.
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Serenity
If one continues to attend AA one has nearly double chance of finding freedom from alcoholism.
Comparison of Past Year Drinking Status – Dropouts and Continuing AA Members
Dropouts:
Abstinent 33%
Low risk drinking 14%
High risk drinking 53%
Continued AA attendance:
Abstinent 62%
Low risk drinking 9%
High risk drinking 29%
low risk drinking = never exceed 4 drinks per day(male) or 3 drinks per day (female)
high risk drinking = exceeds 4 drinks per day (male) or 3 drinks per day (female)
Research Source: NIAAA 1991-1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES). Data Brief – National Longit...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 8, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Victorious Alcoholism Recovery Sobriety abstinent attend AA Continuing AA Members freedom from alcoholism Source Type: blogs
Be HappyEmail this article to a colleague.
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in Recovery
When I first came to Alcoholics Anonymous I quite quickly grasped the two concepts that have been the foundations of my sobriety, the One Day At A Time principle, and lots of Meetings.
For a while this seemed enough, and indeed these two simple ideas were enough to keep me sober.
But then I realised that there was more to living than just not drinking. I think this is where the Steps come in as the third concept of AA – recovery. If I follow the Steps (and don’t drink just for today and do lots of meetings) I think my life must get better and fuller.
You’ve probably heard the chairperson of a...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 7, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Emotions Fun Healthy Recovery Sobriety be happy Don ’t worry be happy never drink again One Day At A Time principle Source Type: blogs
Alcoholism and FearEmail this article to a colleague.
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This article will discuss the ism’s and associated fears.
The Ism’s
These ism’s are part of normal life, everyone has them to varying degrees. Specifically, the ism’s are an attempt to make life bearable, as a way of “interpersonal control and coping.” This is, of course, what we all strive to do on a day-to-day basis, we need these thinking patterns and behaviours to cope, most people seem to be doing alright, while the alcoholic seems to be sinking fast.
One of the main ism’s with alcoholism is the ism of fear.
Fears
Recovery is mostly about letting go of fear. In fact, fear produces most all my ins...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 7, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholism Emotions Faith Higher Power Recovery Sobriety Spirituality addressed in recovery fear ism's letting go of fear Source Type: blogs
Mouthwash Could get you DrunkEmail this article to a colleague.
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Alcoholic Mouthwash up to 30% alcohol
Alcoholic Mouthwash Could get you Drunk
People are drinking alcohol-based mouthwash because it’s now cheaper than regular alcoholic drinks in some parts of Australia.
Health workers have warned that they risk serious consequences, even death.
Street cleaners lately have been stumbling on scores of empty bottles of a popular mouthwash, which is nearly 30 per cent pure alcohol.
And in the space of a few weeks, supermarkets and pharmacists have seen mouth wash sales suddenly go through the roof.
“This particular mouthwash has eucalyptus oil in it, which is an essential oil, and it...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 7, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Victorious Alcoholism Recovery Sobriety Alcoholic Mouthwash Australia drunk Source Type: blogs
11 Ways to Be LovingEmail this article to a colleague.
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Recovery from alcoholism, addiction, co-dependency and gambling can bring new and unexpected ways to be in love and to express that love.
Recovering people may need to rekindle an existing relationship. Or, they may have started a new relationship or sexual orientation with new a partner.
To strengthen relationships, counsellors advise couples to “make weekly dates” or “go away on a couple’s weekend.” Those are great ideas, but let’s be realistic: that’s not always possible.
These 11 quick and simple ways to express love let busy couples rekindle or promote romance among the chaos of e...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 7, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Addictions Alcoholism Co-dependency Emotions Gambling Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Recovery Relationships Sexuality Spirituality be in love new a partner sexual orientation Source Type: blogs
The Science of Addiction, Free e-BookEmail this article to a colleague.
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Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
This, 30-page, full-color booklet explains in layman’s terms how science has revolutionized the understanding of drug addiction as a brain disease that affects behavior.
The ‘Science of Addiction’ booklet discusses the reasons people take drugs, why some people become addicted while others do not, how drugs work in the brain, and how addiction can be prevented and treated.
The booklet is available to read, download or order at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/
http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/sciofaddiction.pdf
Publication Year: ...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 7, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Addictions Alcohol Alcoholism Drugs brain Disease e-book free NIDA science Source Type: blogs
Women & the 12 StepsEmail this article to a colleague.
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The 12 Steps work for women
Women and the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous: A Gendered Narrative
This paper examines how women “work” the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) from a gendered perspective.
Feminist critics of AA have
challenged the language of AA’s Twelve Steps,
the spiritual nature of the steps, and
the male-dominated culture of the Twelve-Step program.
This paper offers insight into how women in AA approach, interpret, and utilize the Twelve Steps to recover from alcoholism.
Through survey and narrative data, findings suggests
that women working AA’s Twelve Steps become empowered and...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 6, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Faith Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Recovery Sexuality Sobriety Spirituality Women Feminist critics of AA Gendered Narrative spiritual path of recovery Source Type: blogs
Phases of Alcoholism RecoveryEmail this article to a colleague.
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AA can be a bridge to recovery
The recovery process in Alcoholics Anonymous includes several general phases that people may pass through. These are not time related but are usually dependent on the persons particular circumstances.
Initial Sobriety
Surrenders to alcohol – accepts alcoholism
Begins humble search for self
Restoration of physical health begins
Restoration of memory begins
Restoration of mental functions begins
Begins to practice self-honesty
Is pre-occupied with sobriety
Growth of open-mindedness
Lessening of needless guilt
Freely discusses alcohol and its problems
Mild depression and anxiety lessens
Menta...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 4, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Victorious Alcoholism Emotions Family Recovery Sobriety Spirituality Sponsorship Accepting Sobriety Creative sobriety Initial Sobriety Learning Sobriety Pleasurable Sobriety Source Type: blogs
I’m not an Alcoholic!Email this article to a colleague.
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Alcoholic Denial as a Psychological Defence
Denial takes two major forms.
First, the alcoholic insists that he or she can drink like other people – socially, normally.
This means that there are always ready excuses for the exceptional times-for the fights, the arrests, the blackouts, the hangovers. It’s someone else’s fault. It’s harassment, bad luck, or just too much pressure.
Secondly, the alcoholic insists that he or she is different from “real” alcoholics.
Drinking alcoholics are usually experts at picturing “real” alcoholics. They’re different somehow: jobless, hom...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 4, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Addictions Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Co-dependency Recovery Relapse Sobriety binge blackout Denial hangover real alcoholic Source Type: blogs
How Does AA Work – Meetings, Meetings, MeetingsEmail this article to a colleague.
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12 Step Programs Offer Broad Benefits, Study Says
A study of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step oriented self-help programs finds that they can help most people recover from alcoholism, even those who are not religious or have mental-health problems.
The Pacific Institute on Research and Education (PIRE) reported that researchers tracked a group of 227 alcoholics over three years and found that those who had attended AA or other self-help programs after treatment had higher rates of abstinence, and drank less if they did relapse.
The results cut across gender and religious lines and held regardless of psychiatric his...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 2, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Recovery Relapse Sobriety Treatment meetings mental-health problems not religious rates of abstinence self-help Source Type: blogs
A Sober Man Three Weeks…Email this article to a colleague.
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George stopped by at lunch with a sack full of Krystal hamburgers. He wanted to thank me for hooking up his computer and getting him online. “It’s no problem,” I said modestly. “Well, you’ve been sober three weeks,” I said changing the subject. “How does it feel?” “Does the urge to drink ever go away?” he asked. “I get beside myself for a drink some days. I want to come over here with you when I get like that.” “Yes,” I said, trying to sound kindly. “It lessens over time. I never hardly ever think of drinking anymore these days.” “Been to any meetings?” I then asked. ...
Source: The 4th Avenue Blues - February 2, 2010 Category: Mental Illness Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous George's Mom Religion Alcoholism Sobriety George and the Gang Higher Power Addictions Source Type: blogs
First 3 Steps of AAEmail this article to a colleague.
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The first three steps of AA define the alcohol problem and solution
In 1934, Bill W., cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, got a call from a former drinking buddy, Ebby T. “Rumour had it that he’d been committed for alcoholic insanity,” Bill recalled. “I wondered how he had escaped.”
In reality, Ebby was two months sober. This disappointed Bill, who wanted to recapture the spirit of their earlier drinking escapades. When Ebby came to visit, Bill pushed a drink across the table. Ebby refused it.
Bill W. & Ebby, co-founders of AA
“The door opened, and he stood there, fresh-skinned and glowin...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 2, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Faith Higher Power Recovery Spirituality alcohol problem and solution Bill W cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous Source Type: blogs
AA At A GlanceEmail this article to a colleague.
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What is A.A.?
Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership.
Current Membership
It is estimated that there are more than 100,000 groups and over 2,000,000 members in 150 countries.
Relations With Outside Agencies
The Fellowship has adopted a policy of ·cooperation but not affiliation· with other organizations concerned with the problem of alcoholism. We have no opinion on issues outside A.A. and neither endors...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 2, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Help an Alcoholic Recovery Sobriety Sponsorship abstinence anonymity fellowship membership open meeting stop drinking Source Type: blogs
Choices and Ramifications…Email this article to a colleague.
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I had been homeless for about six months when I called my mother from my deceased grandmother’s house. I had a key from when I lived with her. Mom, her usually fretting self, immediately went into action. She turned on the heat and made me a bed. “You’re not going to be homeless,” she told me. My father wasn’t too pleased, but what could he do? Cast his son aside despite all his faults and drunkenness? I had planned on going to Nashville to live. From reading “The Homeless Guy” I knew I could get a place to sleep, three meals a day, and social worker help. I would also hav...
Source: The 4th Avenue Blues - February 1, 2010 Category: Mental Illness Tags: Friendships Homelessness Computer Hardware Mental Illness Maggie Schizophrenia George's Mom Alcoholism Daily Musings George and the Gang Computers Dropping Out Disability Gaining Independence Mom and Me Addictions Recovery Source Type: blogs
The Stigma of AlcoholismEmail this article to a colleague.
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Ms Marty Mann
A FEW THOUGHTS FROM MARTY MANN ON STIGMA
Marty Mann was the first women to join Alcoholics Anonymous. After several years of sobriety she started a major influential advocacy agency.
“Few among you consider alcoholism a proper subject for open discussion, few among you would willingly label yourself, or a friend or colleague, an alcoholic, and even fewer would be able to recognize alcoholism early, when there is the best chance for recovery.
All of this is the result of stigma, a state of mind which we inherited from our Puritan and also our Victorian forebears; a state of mind which is essentially mindl...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 1, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Addictions Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Recovery Sobriety false beliefs hopeless drunks marty mann moral problem stigma kills stigma of alcoholism Source Type: blogs
Co-dependent Defence BehavioursEmail this article to a colleague.
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Some behaviours seem to have us locked into unbreakable patterns
Psychological and emotional defence mechanisms are used by all human beings and may be necessary for survival in some situations.
However, people from dysfunctional families (co-dependents, adult children of alcoholics for example) may have developed defence behaviours that are increasingly dysfunctional.
When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.- Alexander Graham Bell
We’ve all used defences to distance ourselves from distressing feelings and...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - February 1, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Addictions Adult Children of Alcoholics Al-anon Alateen Alcoholism Co-dependency Gam-anon Naranon S-Anon defence mechanisms dysfunctional families Psychological and emotional defence Source Type: blogs
I Became an Alcoholic at Age 12Email this article to a colleague.
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Alcoholics Anonymous raises a toast to member who has stayed off the bottle for 50 years
No drinks will be served at this celebration, only a non-alcoholic toast to half a century of sobriety. On Monday evening, the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) will hold a felicitation function for AA member John K, to congratulate him on 50 years of sobriety. Since the AA in India is 53 years old, Mangalore-based John is one of its oldest members.
John (72) says, “I come from a middle-class Roman Catholic family in Mangalore. There were no taboos about alcohol in the village I grew up in. Village women would crush Ayurved tablets in br...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 31, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Family Healthy Higher Power Men Sexuality Sobriety agnostic brandy Catholic India mangalore St Aloysius College Source Type: blogs
Alcoholism is a Family DiseaseEmail this article to a colleague.
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Family Recovery
Family recovery is one of the keys to treatment for alcoholism.
Alcoholics and alcohol abusers attract more public attention, but their families and friends also suffer long-term effects from alcoholism-and their recovery may be essential to the alcoholic’s recovery, according to a leading researcher in the field.
“Alcoholism is a family disease. While it is important for the family to support the alcoholic’s recovery, it is also important for members of the family to get involved in their own recovery.
Family recovery decreases the chances that the children of alcoholics will repeat the pattern a...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 30, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Al-anon Alateen Alcohol Alcoholism Co-dependency Family Gam-anon Help an Alcoholic Naranon Recovery S-Anon children of alcoholics family disease Family recovery Source Type: blogs
Atheists, Agnostics, Spirituality & AAEmail this article to a colleague.
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Conclusions: God belief appears to be relatively unimportant in deriving AA-related benefit, but atheist and agnostic alcoholics are less likely to initiate and sustain AA attendance relative to spiritual and religious alcoholics. This apparent reticence to affiliate with AA should be taken into account when encouraging AA participation.
Reference; Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 63: 534-541, 2002.
See also;
12 Spiritual Questions
Developing Spirituality
Maturity of Mind Through a Spiritual Awakening
Spiritual Health Blockages
Keep It Simple
Related Reading: (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com)
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 30, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Faith Higher Power Recovery Spirituality AA attendance agnostic atheist project MATCH spiritual beliefs Source Type: blogs
Acceptance Is the AnswerEmail this article to a colleague.
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Focus on Acceptance
In 12 Step Fellowships recovery from alcoholism, addiction or co-dependency needs many new concepts to be absorbed and acted upon.
One of the most important seems to be Acceptance.
“When I focus on what’s good today, I have a good day, and
when I focus on what’s bad, I have a bad day.
If I focus on a problem, the problem increases;
if I focus on the answer, the answer increases.”
c. 2001, Alcoholics Anonymous, page 419
See also;
What is AA?
The Dry Drunk
12 Rewards of Recovery
Touchstones, Daily meditations
Related Reading: (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com)
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 28, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Addictions Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Co-dependency Recovery acceptance focus on a problem focus on the answer Source Type: blogs
A.A.’s FREEDOMSEmail this article to a colleague.
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My search for freedom had many twists and turns
I Craved Freedom
First, freedom to drink;
later, freedom from drink.
The A.A. program of recovery rests on a foundation of free choice.
There are no mandates, laws or commandments. A.A.’s spiritual program, as outlined in the Twelve Steps, and by which I am offered even greater freedoms, is only suggested. I can take it or leave it.
Sponsorship is offered, not forced, and I come and go as I will.
It is these and other freedoms that allow me to recapture the dignity that was crushed by the burden of drink, and which is so dearly needed to support an enduring sobriety.
Just...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 28, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Recovery Sobriety Sponsorship craved freedom program of recovery Twelve Steps Source Type: blogs
Time to Sexual SatisfactionEmail this article to a colleague.
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Sex takes 3 to 13 minutes
This story may help people who are discovering their new sexuality in recovery. Recovery from alcoholism, addiction, gambling and co-dependency is a journey of discovery of self. And, self includes ones sexuality.
Maybe men had it right all along: It doesn’t take long to be satisfied in bed.
A survey of sex therapists concluded the optimal amount of time for sexual intercourse was 3 to 13 minutes. The findings, to be published in the May issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, strike at the notion that endurance is the key to a great sex life.
If that sounds like good news to you, don’...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 27, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Addictions Alcoholism Co-dependency Emotions Fun Gambling Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Men Recovery Relationships Sexuality Women foreplay sexual intercourse Sexual Medicine sexual satisfaction Source Type: blogs
10 Ways to Find a Good TherapistEmail this article to a colleague.
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When we want to improve our bodies we pretty much know where to find help. This time of year the gyms are full and the meeting rooms at Weight Watchers are packed. But what do we do when we want to improve our inner selves, our relationships, or want to find help with depression or anxiety?
Making the decision to find help is hard enough. Why should you have to get even more stressed out hunting for the right therapist? It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack unless you have some guidance. So here are a few tips:
1. Forget the yellow pages. A yellow pages listing is expensive so a lot of good people aren’...
Source: World of Psychology - January 27, 2010 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Elvira G. Aletta, Ph.D. Tags: Alcoholism Anxiety and Panic Bipolar Depression Disorders General Grief and Loss Men's Issues Mental Health and Wellness PTSD Parenting Psychology Psychotherapy Self-Esteem Stress Students Women's Issues Accountant Conf Source Type: blogs
A Dry Drunk?Email this article to a colleague.
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The look of a Dry Drunk
Abstinence without sobriety
Alcoholics Anonymous informally refers to the alcoholic who has stopped drinking, but who still demonstrates the same alcoholic attitudes and behaviors, as a “dry drunk.”
They say that such an individual has abstinence but not sobriety.
This concept has been adopted by most twelve-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and Emotions Anonymous.
It appears on almost all of the Web sites devoted to the different addictions, although characteristics of the dry drunk syndrome differ widely from site to site. Most often mentioned are:
depressi...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 27, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Faith Higher Power Recovery Relapse Sobriety Spirituality Sponsorship ego grandiosity impatient impulsive irritability self-pity workaholic Source Type: blogs
12 Self-defeating ThoughtsEmail this article to a colleague.
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Self-defeating thoughts
How to Challenge your Internal Struggle Against Recovery and get off the endless staircase.
Most people trying to overcome an addiction, alcoholism, gambling or co-dependency soon realize that recovery is not spontaneous. It requires discipline and patience, and therein lies the problem with recovery.
Addiction’s lure is its promise of immediate gratification, the quick feel-good. Being addicted means relying on immediate gratification and, as the pattern of addiction continues, our ability to delay gratification erodes.
Recovery, on the other hand, asks us to forego the quick feel-good and ca...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 26, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Adult Children of Alcoholics Alcoholism Co-dependency Healthy Men Recovery Relapse Spirituality Women gratification self-defeating Sobriety Source Type: blogs
What is ACOA Co-dependency?Email this article to a colleague.
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ACOA's often feel frozen in relationships
You can talk to a dozen experts, read a dozen books and get a dozen different interpretations of ACOA co-dependency.
Many accept it as a disease in as much as it has an onset, is progressive, predictable and in time is potentially fatal, although other causes of death are generally cited.
It is assumed that all Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA’s) are co-dependents, but we each act out this illness in a different way. Basically, there are two general concepts:
As children growing up in an alcoholic or dysfunctional home environment, we learned to hide or divorce our feel...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 25, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Adult Children of Alcoholics Al-anon Alateen Alcoholism Co-dependency Disease Emotions Family Gam-anon Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Naranon Recovery Relationships S-Anon acoa alcoholic or dysfunctional home hero little enabler Source Type: blogs
An Introduction to Medication for Alcohol DependenceEmail this article to a colleague.
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New medications for addiction treatment can significantly improve treatment outcomes for many patients, especially when combined with counseling, support and aftercare.
This free online course helps addiction treatment counselors understand how these medications work with the brain mechanisms involved in alcohol dependence, and how medications can be part of a comprehensive treatment program that helps patients regain control over their lives.
Author’s Welcome and IntroductionAn outline of this program from Carlo C. DiClemente, PhD
Main Presentation, Part 1An overview of alcohol dependence, focusing on the ep...
Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com - January 25, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholism Medication Training Source Type: blogs
Dance & Humour for RecoveryEmail this article to a colleague.
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Judy recently shared the following on her Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) e-mail group. I found it so useful that I asked her to allow it to be published here. Judy readily agreed.
Good morning group, When I read the daily reading on losing a sense of humour it reminded me …
I had to learn to play. When I came to ACA some of the members encouraged me to play by asking what I had never done as a child that I wanted to do.
I wanted to learn to roller skate and I wanted a bicycle. I went out and bought a used pair of skates and a used bike.
My friends took me roller skating and held my hand around the rink until I could...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 25, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Adult Children of Alcoholics Al-anon Alcoholism Co-dependency Emotions Family Fun Healthy Recovery Sexuality Spirituality Women dance humour Source Type: blogs
Twelve Step Facilitation for General Health-care WorkersEmail this article to a colleague.
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Twelve-step facilitation (TSF) in non-specialty settings.
Participation in the twelve-step mutual-help organization, Alcoholics Anonymous, has proven to be an effective means of helping individuals with alcohol dependence achieve lasting sobriety.
Although many patients choose to attend AA of their own accord, clinicians’ facilitation of AA involvement ("Twelve-Step Facilitation" [TSF]) has shown to substantially increase the likelihood that patients will become engaged with these freely available resources.
Importantly, many individuals with alcohol dependence never seek help from addiction specialists,...
Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com - January 24, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Adjunctive therapy Alcohol Alcoholics Anon Alcoholism Brief-TSF Buy Brief-TSF Mutual-help Recovery Relapse prevention Research Self-help Target populations clinician Twelve Step Facilitation Source Type: blogs
Loneliness is a State of Mind…Email this article to a colleague.
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I sat two hours yesterday talking to mom. I get so lonely in that house of mine despite Maggie. Maggie went with me and lay on the floor beside me listening to every word and watching the cat on mom’s bed warily. Mom was in the bed with her cat Muffin on top of her. We talked mainly of small talk; a subject I am still mastering. It was good practice. It also gave me a good excuse to drink all the cokes I wanted. Every time I would run out of a drink, mom would suggest I get another out of the fridge. Bliss! That doesn’t happen often. “Mom, do you think I am doing...
Source: The 4th Avenue Blues - January 24, 2010 Category: Mental Illness Tags: Reading Mom and Me mental health Maggie The Coke Ritual George's Mom Alcoholism George and the Gang Addictions Recovery Mi Familia Source Type: blogs
A Vision for YouEmail this article to a colleague.
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The title of chapter 11 of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book. This phrase is often used to refer to the last three paragraphs of chapter 11 and is sometimes read at AA meetings.
"Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little.
The Higher Power will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven’t got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass ...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - January 24, 2010 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Higher Power Recovery Sobriety Spirituality Big Boo Clear away the wreckage of your past trudge the road of happy destiny vision for you Source Type: blogs
