alanon

Recovered 389 Show Notes – Gratitude

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Mark, Joe, Spencer, and Russ share their gratitude during this U.S. Holiday season of Thanksgiving. Russ and Mark both agree that Gratitude is one of the most important tools in their tool box of recovery. Joe shared that one of the first things he learned in recovery was Gratitude. Joe shared that early in his program he heard Mike O. always opened his share with the statement, “If I stay grateful, I’ll stay sober.” Joe shared that if he admits that many things are out of his control, this realization helps him to stay grateful. Joe shared that he uses pen and paper to form his gratitude list. He makes a physical list and he still has the first one he made in recovery. The things that are on that original list, he is still grateful for.

Spencer, an Al-anon, was not grateful when he first came into the program, although he heard a lot of others say they were. But now, he is grateful to be a member of Al-anon. Spencer shared his gratitude tool takes the form of a mental list. When he has difficulty falling asleep, he uses that alphabet starting with the letter A and thinks of something he is grateful for that begins with the letter A. Spencer said that he has always fallen asleep before he reaches the letter Z.

Russ shared that he also uses an alphabet approach to his gratitude list, especially when he is driving his car. Russ shared that he uses meetings to keep gratitude alive in his program. Talking and sharing helps him to stay grounded and stay grateful.

We shared that gratitude is the result of something we do. When we start to feel down during this holiday season, we have found that making a list, going to a meeting, talking to someone, always helps us to stay grateful and our spirits are lifted.

Recovered 389 – Gratitude

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Our Recovery Topic is Gratitude

Since it is the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., I thought we’d take this opportunity to discuss the things we are grateful for.

Clips we will cover today include:

Video Clips include:

Jane Velez Mitchell – What if You Accidentally Take a Sip, Is it a Slip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO0GKU5SNQM&feature=relmfu

Check out this episode!

Recovered 389 Preview – Gratitude

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On Monday November 19, 2012 at 7:00 pm est, Mark, Joe, Spencer, and Russ will discuss the Recovery Topic of Gratitude.  During this season of Thanksgiving here in the U.S., we thought we’d take this opportunity to discuss the things, people, and events we are grateful for.

Please call into our voice mail system at 734-288-7510 and share what you are grateful for or ask a question regarding gratitude.  If you don’t want to use your voice, please comment on the blog or email us at feedback@recoveredcast.com and we will discuss it on Monday’s show.

Recovered 388 – Dating in Recovery

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Our Recovery Topic is Dating in Recovery

what was it like?
what is it like now?
what is your experience?
what are some of the challenges?

Video Clips include:

Dating and Drinking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci78g84Qx8U

Dating Independent Woman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pirSM5IjosY

How to Prevent Addictions for Youth – Jane Velez Mitchell on the Fix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb2vOvIYSNw&feature=em-subs_digest-newavtr

Check out this episode!

Recovered 382 Show Notes – Hitting Bottom

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Mark, Joe, Spencer, and Russ discuss our recovery topic: Hitting Bottom
Hitting Bottom is that moment when life has become so painful that recovery is made possible.

During the Interview Segment, we talked to Bob, Kyle, and Liz about the Recovery Topic: Hitting Bottom

Helen Sponsored our show tonight by making a generous contribution to the show by using the paypal donation button on the site.  THANK YOU HELEN! Helen, an Al-Anon, also emailed us and we shared her thoughts.

Lisa from Illinois called in and let us know she nominated this podcast as best in Life and Fitness for the annual Podcast Awards.  You can do this too at

Podcast Awards

Lisa shared her thoughts regarding last week’s topic: expectations.  Thank you Lisa.

Regarding our recovery topic, Joe started the show off by telling us about his one year long approach to his bottom.  The decline began with a failed suicide attempt, a secrete he kept until doing his 5th step.

Spencer, an Al-Anon, shared that Al-anons also have bottoms which helps them to reach out for help.  Spencer described his bottom in terms of when his loved one confessed to him that they didn’t think they could live sober.  The realization that his loved one may not get recovery lead to a feeling of despair and loneliness, similar feelings as Joe shared.

Russ shared that he could relate to both Joe and Spencer’s stories.  Russ has a moment of clarity when he read his Physician’s medical notes and the said that Russ was a CHRONIC alcoholic.  That category gave him a moment of pause that lead him to recovery.

Recovered 380 Show Notes – Discipline

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Mark, Russ, Spencer, and Joe discuss the Recovery Topic Discipline.

We interviewed:
Jillian S.
Elaine C.
Dan
Russ shared his vision of being disciplined by contrasting his being undisciplined when he first came into the program.  As a matter of fact, his lack of discipline was a major reason for his coming to the tables.  Russ’ first effort at discipline was to make 90 meetings in 90 days, which he accomplished.  Russ did this as a pain avoidance mechanism.
Spencer shared from his Al-Anon perspective.  Spencer came into the program to get relief from the pain caused by other people’s drinking.  His first act of discipline was to make meetings which was followed by a commitment to a group to work the steps with his AWOL (A Way Of Live) group.  Making a commitment to a group helped keep him accountable and helped him finish what he started.
Joe shared that he come into the program undisciplined.  Joe was happy to hear the slogan “let it go” at first but then learned that discipline was needed to work the steps, get involved in the program, and to become part of the group.

Recovered 379 – Letting Go

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Join Mark, Russ, Spencer, and Joe as they discuss the Recovery Topic “Letting Go”.

Materials Referenced During This Show
The Goldern Key

Russ opened the show by sharing that  letting go is is a process, something you do.  A process much like the grieving process.  Emotions such as anger, denial, bargaining are all part of both processes.  Grief and Letting Go both get better when acceptance is achieved.  Positive steps such as putting the banner “Let Go and Let God” right on his refrigerator.

Spencer shared that AA’s have to let go of alcohol, but Al-Anons. such as Spencer,  have to learn how to let go of the alcoholic.  “Let Go” was one of the first things he could do in the program.  He put the words” Let Go” right on his phone screen.  He started to let go of trying to control some one else’s drinking.  After a period of time in the program, Spencer learned how to separate the disease from the person and to let go of the disease.  Step one was the beginning of letting go.  Spencer experienced that his loved one moved toward recovery after he let go.

Joe shared that when he first came into the program, he had a fair share of anger toward God which made letting go and letting God near impossible, so Joe  set it aside until he was able to develop a relationship with his higher power.  Joe shared that he let go of drinking, but picking up again remained an option until he could trust his higher power.

Recovered 378 – Inventory

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Tonight, Joe, Spencer, Russ, and Mark share their experience strength and hope regarding Inventory.  They discuss steps 4 and 10.

Materials Referenced During This Episode

Joe and Charlie 4th Step Worksheet
4th Step Analyzer
The Annotated Big Book Handbook
Our Recovery Library (each purchase helps the show)

Joe’s initial reaction to step 4 as a new comer was that he didn’t want to do a 4th step.  Joe was told if he didn’t do a 4th, he would likely pick up a 5th.  After a little time, Joe decided he wanted a better recovery life, so his sponsor encouraged him to continue working the steps, especially steps 4 and 5 which required writing an inventory.

Spencer, an al-anon, initially thought that the steps were for his loved one who had the drink problem, not him.  But after a little bit of time in the fellowship, Spencer wanted what others had.  They seemed to be happy.  So he decided to do what they had done, an inventory.

Russ shared that he also didn’t want to do an inventory when he first came into the program.  But he was told that he would likely drink if he didn’t do an inventory, so he decided to work the steps.  Russ found that after step 3 he was ready to launch into a rigorous course of action which included an inventory.  The downside of not doing an inventory for an AA is relapse.  Spencer shared that the downside for an Al-anon in not doing steps 4 and 5 is to be stuck in the program doing and redoing steps 1 through 3.

The process of inventory allows us to look at our faults and grow.

Step 10, the daily inventory, was also discussed by all.

Recovered 377 – Singleness of Purpose

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Today, our Recovery Topic is Singleness of Purpose.

 Alcoholic Anonymous Tradition 3: The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Al-Anon Tradition 3: The relatives of alcoholics, when gathered together for mutual aid, may call themselves an Al-Anon Family Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.

 Alcoholics Anonymous Tradition 5: Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Al-Anon Tradition 5: Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of AA ourselves, by encouraging and understanding our alcoholic relatives, and by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics.

 Mark, Russ, Spencer, and Chad discuss Traditions 3 and 5 in regards to Alcoholics Anonymous and Spencer represents the Al-anon perspective. Russ starts off the program stating that alcoholism is caused by drinking, so we arrive with that problem. Dual addictions or cross addictions are OK in AA as long as alcohol is the primary problem.

 Spencer shared that newcomers are not sure if their loved one is actually an alcoholic. Spencer shared that his understanding that if the newcomer has been affected by someone’s drinking, then you are welcome in Al-Anon. 

Chad shared that you can be a member of AA even before they are convinced they are alcoholic. Just a desire to stop drinking is the only requirement for membership.

Recovered 376 – Anonymity

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Mark, Joe, and Russ discuss Anonymity.  What anonymity meant to them when they were new and what it means to their program now.  They discussed what it means on a personal level as well as a group level, along with press, radio, TV, and now the digital age.  They also discussed how it is important to not break others anonymity by saying someone is in AA

The audio clips cover celebrities in recovery and about recovery. Russ points out that none of the celebs reveal they are in any particular 12 step program and thereby do not break anonymity. Remember, you can always join us live during our podcast by visiting the Chat Room of this website on Tuesdays at about 7:00 pm EST. I usually tart the show early with music, so join us and send us comments while we podcast!

We have 3 interviews on the subject as well.  Thanks Chad, Mike, and Spencer!