Earl H. from Studio City, CA talking about the steps in a workshop called “Catch the buzz with the steps” in New York, NY – December 14th 2002
Popsicle Sticks is not really a topic but rather a style of meeting here in Southeast Michigan. Tonight, this show will be presented in the form of a popsicle stick meeting.
A popsicle stick meeting is a meeting where we let our higher power determine what we need to share. Here in our virtual studio, we have a can full of popsicle sticks. Each stick has a recovery topic written on it. We will take turns, randomly picking a stick and then sharing on that topic that was chosen.
Tonight, we do popsicle sticks
Stateline Retreat in Primm, NV – December 11th 2009
It’s common for someone who has struggled with an addiction to want to isolate. They might not feel a desire to be social. They might not want to spend time with others. For some, being social might be so heavily associated with drinking and drug use, that this is enough of a reason to avoid people. Research has shown that having a strong network of recovering people to reach out to is an essential element to staying sober.
Reaching out for support eases the challenges that come with attempting to stay sober. Getting sober and staying sober is not an easy experience. However, knowing that you have recovering friends to support you can lift the burden of having to try to stay sober on your own. Of course, the success of recovery is ultimately up to you, but having friends to call can prevent a relapse. Having a network of support is one of the key ingredients to staying sober.
Tonight, we talk about Reaching Out.
Stateline Retreat in Primm, NV – December 11th 2009
If a person in recovery is utilizing a 12-Step program, sooner or later, they will be tasked with choosing a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who has worked the steps, has a sponsor, and is in recovery for at least one year. A sponsor can utilize their experience to support and guide a person who is newer to recovery. Many people are not sure, however, what else to look for in a sponsor.
Becoming a sponsor has many benefits. Sponsoring helps not only the individual being sponsored but also the sponsor as well. This is due in part to the fact that sponsors keep themselves and others accountable. Research shows that recovering addicts who have sponsors are significantly less likely to relapse in the year following.
Tonight, we talk about Sponsors and Sponsees.
Stateline Retreat in Primm, NV – December 11th 2009
Journaling, or keeping a regular record of experiences and feelings, especially as they relate to your recovery, can be a helpful tool to advance your healing process. For example, a journal can be used to record your recovery-related struggles and accomplishments or to identify – and work through – difficult emotions. It also helps to hold you accountable for your decisions and actions and helps you invest in your own self-discovery.
Journaling is a type of expressive writing, where your main goal is not to produce a “product” like a story, or an article, or an essay, but instead to simply use the process of putting thoughts and feelings down on paper to help you understand and cope with these thoughts and emotions.
Tonight, we talk about Writing and Journaling in Recovery.
Stateline Retreat in Primm, NV – December 11th 2009
Using books, literature, and other texts as part of a recovery program and are a known intervention for both substance abuse and depression. You may have experienced a moment where you identified with the main character in a story and empathetically experienced their joy when they conquered their obstacle. Or maybe you read a poem and thought to yourself that you could have written the words yourself—that’s how much they meant to you.
When struggling with addiction, it can also be helpful to read the stories of those who’ve already embarked on their recovery journeys. Following their path into sobriety can be cathartic, and can bring a newfound sense of hope about the future. Narratives told by peers can be especially helpful here, because they show that recovery is possible, and for many, that’s the first step in imagining what their own recovery might look like.
Tonight, we talk about Recovery Literature.
