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Mark S

Having Fun in Recovery – Recovered 919

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Just because you’ve decided to quit drinking and doing drugs, have started to go to meetings are now in what’s termed “recovery,”

 

That doesn’t mean that you need to resign yourself to living the rest of your life in a ho-hum, boring existence. While you may think that being clean and sober is just plain dull, the truth is that your life in sobriety can be fulfilling, exciting and extremely rewarding. Some might even call it fun. But that, of course, depends on your point of view.

 

Here we take a look at how newcomers to sobriety can discover healthy ways to have fun in recovery ? without jeopardizing all the gains they’ve made so far. Don’t worry. Nothing here is out of reach of the average individual. All it really takes is a desire to create a new life for yourself,

 

Go to you first,

First to mind?

 

Why is having fun in recovery important?

 

What used to be your idea of fun before program?

What was your idea of fun early in program?

 

When you were new, was it hard to have fun?

How did your fun change?

Did you suffer from depression when you were new?

Did you isolate when you wee new?

How did the program help, what steps, slogans, prayer, service?

Was it hard to laugh early on?

 

Did you change, how?

Today, what is your idea of fun, what do you do today?

Do you find recovery boring?

Today, what are your thoughts of a life with drinking at the center?

Do you view that as boring today, why?

 

We Have Calls

 

Mike from Fla

https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Patrick

https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_ArHNNfTfEneSm-C17TwUWVL5asS5CYEgBIt3VM-Di32bap6sxaypMZaFVUCaA_bsnH_A1EvKrgGO88cig7EEeF8RmqSlZvbc9moPmZjt0aoFtnRH51VGUhg1oPbfQk026jxjV3ccX4aVYQE9gGwvUGu1JLUw

Alex

 

Patrick

 

Check out this episode!

Having Fun in Recovery – Recovered 919

 150 150 Mark S
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Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

  1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
  2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call Us Now  http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

Just because you’ve decided to quit drinking and doing drugs, have started to go to meetings are now in what’s termed “recovery,”

 

That doesn’t mean that you need to resign yourself to living the rest of your life in a ho-hum, boring existence. While you may think that being clean and sober is just plain dull, the truth is that your life in sobriety can be fulfilling, exciting and extremely rewarding. Some might even call it fun. But that, of course, depends on your point of view.

 

Here we take a look at how newcomers to sobriety can discover healthy ways to have fun in recovery ? without jeopardizing all the gains they’ve made so far. Don’t worry. Nothing here is out of reach of the average individual. All it really takes is a desire to create a new life for yourself,

 

Go to you first,

First to mind?

 

Why is having fun in recovery important?

 

What used to be your idea of fun before program?

What was your idea of fun early in program?

 

When you were new, was it hard to have fun?

How did your fun change?

Did you suffer from depression when you were new?

Did you isolate when you wee new?

How did the program help, what steps, slogans, prayer, service?

Was it hard to laugh early on?

 

Did you change, how?

Today, what is your idea of fun, what do you do today?

Do you find recovery boring?

Today, what are your thoughts of a life with drinking at the center?

Do you view that as boring today, why?

 

We Have Calls

 

Mike from Fla

https://www.speakpipe.com/messages

Patrick

https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_ArHNNfTfEneSm-C17TwUWVL5asS5CYEgBIt3VM-Di32bap6sxaypMZaFVUCaA_bsnH_A1EvKrgGO88cig7EEeF8RmqSlZvbc9moPmZjt0aoFtnRH51VGUhg1oPbfQk026jxjV3ccX4aVYQE9gGwvUGu1JLUw

Alex

 

Patrick

 

Check out this episode!

Ed M. Open Talk – Recovered 918

 150 150 Mark S
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These weekend episodes are typically reserved for our Premium Subscribers.  Our Premium Members are the reason why the Recovered Podcast is still online.  Please consider upgrading today.

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

  1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
  2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call and leave a message and become part of the show

http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

Check out this episode!

Adam T _ Recovered 917

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These weekend episodes are typically reserved for our Premium Subscribers.  Our Premium Members are the reason why the Recovered Podcast is still online.  Please consider upgrading today.

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

  1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
  2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call and leave a message and become part of the show

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Check out this episode!

Adam T – Recovered 916

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These weekend episodes are typically reserved for our Premium Subscribers.  Our Premium Members are the reason why the Recovered Podcast is still online.  Please consider upgrading today.

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

  1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
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Check out this episode!

Anger – Recovered 915

 150 150 Mark S
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Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

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Almost all individuals will experience at least occasional feelings of anger. Such emotions may occur when people feel frustrated or mistreated in some way. The individual who is angry can become openly aggressive or they may exhibit behaviors of passive aggressiveness. Excessive anger can be dangerous because it leads to all types of physical, emotional, and social consequences. Anger can be highly destructive emotion for those who are in recovery from addiction as it can lead to relapse.

Other people’s anger affects us.
If affects the way we think
It affects the way we behave.
Recovery can help heal these old wounds
If you grew up in a family where
one or both parents used anger to control you,
then anger likely plays a role in your life now.

Tonight, we talk about anger and the tools we use to cope.

What is first to mind on this topic, what is the one thing you would like to talk about as it relates to anger?

On page 66 of the big book, it reads:
If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison.
What does this quotes mean to you?

Anger is a feeling, it’s neither good or bad in itself.
Why do you think we have the emotion of anger?
What purpose does anger have?

How do you show anger?
What makes you angry most often?
Today, what are you angry at?
How do you use program to deal with this dangerous emotion?

For you, when is the emotion of anger good?
For you, when is anger bad?

Were you angry when you came into recovery?
Have you been angry with AA?
Have you been angry with a sponsee?
Have you been angry with a group/club?

Do you use anger to avoid other uncomfortable feelings?
Do you use anger to control people?

Now, as an adult, what part does anger play in your life?
Do you use anger to control, trying to get others to do what you want?

Did you grow up with anger in your household?
Were you ever been punished for being angry?
How do you think suppressing anger affects you?
Does your anger come out in other ways?

What is a healthy response to anger?
What is an unhealthy response to anger?

We Have Calls

Alex

Kurt

 

Check out this episode!

Chris R. Part 2 – Recovered 914

 150 150 Mark S
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These weekend episodes are typically reserved for our Premium Subscribers.  Our Premium Members are the reason why the Recovered Podcast is still online.  Please consider upgrading today.

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

  1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
  2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call and leave a message and become part of the show

http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

Check out this episode!

Progress not Perfection, Recovering from Condemning Ourselves – Article by Author Annie Highwater

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Progress not Perfection, Recovering from Condemning Ourselves

Recently I had a revelation of how deep recovery work has penetrated my former dysfunctional patterns of thinking.  That’s the thing about doing the work, sometimes we aren’t even sure it’s working until we see it play out in new situations that show us our strength.

At work some weeks back, a very dignified lady barreled into the office, rapidly approaching me.  She seemed frustrated and harsh. I quickly got the impression that she was angry.

“I’m looking for exactly where I need to send my information.” She somewhat barked, waving an envelope, implying that she had been misinformed and inconvenienced.

My coworkers and I were able to direct her to the correct area and she was quickly satisfied, which caused her guard to go down; she warmly said thanks to each of us before leaving.

And all was well.

So what does that moment have to do with recovery?

It gave me a great revelation that recovery is working.

I realized that a decade ago, before working to recover and grow from my emotional wounds and pathology, had someone “made a beeline” in my direction with that kind of aggressive energy, I would have quickly spiraled down a rabbit hole of codependent, emotional torment.

In those moments, my thoughts usually turned into a tape that played like this:

What did I do?  Why is she mad?  Why does she hate me?  How can I fix this atmosphere?

What did I do wrong?

What can I do to ease her tense energy?

How can I fix this upset??

What does she hate about me?

What did I do?  Why is she mad?  Why does she hate me?  How can I fix this?

Round and round it would go, pounding in my head.

Sound familiar?

Condemnation is confusing, never-ending and entirely exhausting.

Regardless that an issue is obviously someone else’s, outside hostility almost always launched me into my familiar, condemning inner dialogue.

It took a long time and a lot of good counsel to realize that condemnation runs internal.

No one can make you feel bad about yourself unless you already do.

* * *

Where it all began…

I’ve come a long way with a relative I used to struggle with when it came to assigning blame to me for the behavior of others.  Those dynamics plagued our relationship for decades.

Once, I was told that my personality could “cause anyone to be abusive, or to become an addict.”

I was often told that if I didn’t “push peoples’ buttons, I would never be mistreated.”

The truth was, I couldn’t ever seem to get it right.  And even if I did, the rules would change and before too long I would somehow find myself “causing” their moods and behavior again.

One morning a local newspaper published a story about abusive tactics and even specifically said how most abusers blame-shift and will frequently say, “she/he pushes my buttons.”

Thinking I would finally be heard, I took that paper to this family member.  The response was, “This doesn’t pertain to you. You DO push buttons.”

Deep breaths…

Soon after, I stopped engaging those arguments.

More importantly, I stopped trying to come up with evidence to prove what was true or untrue. And I began the work to learn to listen to, and even like – myself.  I realized I could only work on me.

I went no contact with some of those unhealthy relationships for a few years, focusing on taking care of myself and bettering my life.

I’m happy to say, life has come full circle.  There is peace in that relationship and healthy boundaries are intact.

These days, if those dynamics surface I know to quickly stiff-arm the situation and return to my peaceful, condemnation-free life.   I remember to keep my heart inside my body—I don’t allow it to go running off with someone else’s toxic beliefs.

While I do live a life of accountability and self-examination, let me emphasize that it’s kind, healthyaccountability and kind, healthy self-examining.

There is a difference.

One promotes healing, improvement and progress.  The other suffocates your self-worth and confidence, igniting feelings of shame, defeat and resignation.

* * *

Remember – people don’t mishandle or mistreat you because you’re you—they do it because they’re them.

It is critical to know that you are responsible for no oneelse’s faults, behavior, moods or decisions—except your own!

It is not your fault when someone is moody, rude or making bad decisions.

Remembering that as a bottom-line truth, filters a lot of junk out of life.

* * *

Peace within

I am grateful to have had the moment of tension with the stressed-out lady at work, it shows how far I’ve come and how deep recovery has gone.

I’m also thankful that I no longer take on the burden of anyone else’s attitudes or behavior.  That victory took time, it’s been a process, but the relief of recovery runs as deep as your healing needs it to—when you work it.

Even if we slip back to old patterns once in a while, the healthy new tools are always ready and waiting. It’s about progress—not perfection.

Still learning,

Annie

Author of Unhooked

Book 2: “Unbroken, Navigating the Madness of Family Dysfunction, Addiction, Alcoholism and Heartache” coming soon!

Chris R. Part 1 – Recovered 913

 150 150 Mark S
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These weekend episodes are typically reserved for our Premium Subscribers.  Our Premium Members are the reason why the Recovered Podcast is still online.  Please consider upgrading today.

Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

  1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
  2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call and leave a message and become part of the show

http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

Check out this episode!

Relationships – Recovered 912

 150 150 Mark S
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Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are two ways.

  1. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify.
  2. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium

Call Us Now  http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe

For most of us, it is a relationship with a romantic partner that provides our primary source of the close bonds we need to thrive. But can you have a successful intimate relationship while in recovery?

Navigating your way through an intimate relationship is challenging enough, but when you add to that the unique challenges faced during recovery, the task can be daunting. A recovering addict often brings additional baggage to a relationship because, for them, many essential relationships tools are yet to be acquired. Today, we talk about relationships.

What is first to mind?
What do you want to talk about first?

Early in program, did you have any romantic relationships?
What was dating like?

How did your relationship change over the course of more clean time?

What relationships did you have to give up because of recovery?

How about your relationship with a higher power, how has that changed because of recovery?

What about relationship with self?

How did recovery change your relationships?

How does trust affect you relationships?
How about honesty?
How do old wounds from before recovery affect your current relationship?

How do coping skills learned in recovery help your current relationships?

Talk about balance and relationships, work, recovery, relationship.
How does this change over time?

What step helps you in maintaining relationships?

What would you say to the new guy?

We have calls

Brock
https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_CJYZhQRIBJhu7meRwGtNAWzvIYNiiBq3oD6AETJmCnR6e_3bLjL1KmIjLKGSWqrN67l9EmPsooUUms22sDvCIab_GuRsfEirQpttCJXYCYW2wq13FSJeGT6Ttfl_zIC16TO30UIwA9unK9Yu1-HV3_eFzFCA

Lauren.
https://www.google.com/voice/fm/00557165274674955804/AHwOX_BBSIyrTIdI1505TbOSJe5SoskyfIISsjEhZubPsvlHna1PN7wkqX5rX2SsIzvXbj7_rTzG4nBG7PIndDT1rCne8OKyG38obEw1BnztLw_6bu1xCpkRUpqgqd_a_6SdjLpXD1pVS2eeaWCJvuzKWeqMUpT4NQ

Check out this episode!