Alcohol and Drug Treatment

Well, it’s certainly been a while that I, Recovery Rob, just sat and wrote something about what’s happening in my world of addiction treatment and recovery. So, here I am.

One of the women I sponsor in Al-Anon celebrated her birthday last night. I’m not referring to the day she was born (what we call her belly button birthday), but the day she found her way to Al-Anon. My first meeting was a birthday meeting, and it struck me as a strange custom. That fact that I needed a program like Al-Anon seemed no cause for celebration. I had no intention of marking the date. But within a month, I was backtracking the weeks to mark my calendar. I couldn’t articulate it at the time.

I recently read on one of the addiction websites I frequent about the ridicule a father faced because he cashed out his retirement fund to continue to pay for his 17 year old son’s rehab stay. He was shamed and chastised for giving up his future security for a hope in a sober life for his precious son. The responses were meant to be helpful and supportive, but came across as being bitter and angry.

Normally I can sit at the computer and write. The words mostly flow. Tonight I am apprehensive. Why? Well, God willing I will be 19 years clean and sober tomorrow. It feels good and I think I have a good shot at it happening, but it’s mostly just being comfortable in my own skin. Not cocky-comfortable, just assured of my center, my sobriety feels intact. I think that’s what’s making me apprehensive. It’s ingrained in me to wonder when the proverbial ‘other shoe’ will drop.

COMMON SOLUTION ROUNDUP

Shaver Lake (Fresno County), California

August 19, 20 & 21, 2011 AA workshops featuring Dan S from Santa Monica CA and Tyla C from San Diego CA as workshop speakers. Also speaking Jr Harmon from Pollick Pines CA and David M from Tehachapi CA also AA meetings meditation meetings hanging out, workshops are 3 days 5 sessions .

CHINA PEAK MOUNTAIN RESORT For registration information, pleasE call Rick B. (888) 292-4049 or e-mail primeperp@gmail.com

27th ANNUAL, CALA 2011 CONVENTION

Although I, Recovery Rob, have never been to this AA Convention, I hear it’s one of the better Women’s Recovery Retreats in California, let alone the United States.

WHO: Anyone who is in a 12-Step recovery program is more than welcome to experience fellowship in recovery. Maybe even a spiritual experience among the trees.

Going to 12-Step Meetings on a regular basis is what keeps us clean and sober, for the most part. There are other parts of this community that attribute to our success, but meetings are one of them.

Williams Lake offers a myriad of activities and outdoor adventures, but most importantly for us in addiction recovery and looking for a beautiful location to attend an AA Roundup, Williams Lake in British Columbia, Canada is one of the more fantastic locations if you like the great outdoors.

Here are the details.

WHO: 35th ANNUAL ALKALI LAKE AA ROUNDUP & CAMPOUT

WHAT: Meeting, Guest Speakers, outdoor dance, great food and a lot of fun, fun, fun.

WHERE: Alkali Lake (Williams Lake), British Columbia, Canada

There is a lot of truth behind anger leading to resentment and resentment leading to relapse. For a lot of us, we hold anger in because we don’t know how to cope with it. We are sometimes taught at a younger age that anger is a bad emotion. It’s a perfectly normal, natural emotion. However, it’s what you do with your anger that matters. It’s truly what makes the difference.