Step Work

STEP WORK JUST FOR TODAY August 29 2016

We admitted we were powerless over chemical substances - that our lives had become unmanageable.

Psalm 107 v 14
He brought them  out of darkness, the utter darkness and broke away their chains.

By Joseph Dickerson / Recovery Connections 2016

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Best of the week from Choose Help Emotions in Early Recovery: "You Can't Heal What You Can't Feel" During early recovery we often find ourselves raw. But you can't heal what you can't feel. There are no quick fixes. Learn how to let it go. I've shared with lots of folks in early recovery the adage, "The good thing about being sober is that you feel more ...and the bad thing about being sober is that you feel more." We numbed ourselves so much for so long. In early recovery (and at other points in our journey when stress and fears run high) we find ourselves emotionally raw. Experiencing the highs and lows of our emotions can be completely overwhelming. Whether you're on a "pink cloud" or in a dark place, the good news is that this too shall pass. Add This to Your Toolbox: H.A.L.T. It stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired. H.A.L.T. works both as a preventative measure and a diagnostic tool. Recovery wisdom dictates that we must not allow ourselves to accrue too much of theseand that when we find ourselves overwhelmed we can ask which of these we are. It's simple and effective. It's also something our emotions can throw a wrench into. We come to see that what we hunger for is much more than just food. We realize that anger never travels alone and that there is always at least one other emotion present (Hint: It's usually one that requires vulnerability to express and anger masks it).  We know that even in the company of good people we can be lonely when we shut down or deny ourselves opportunities to connect. Tired is perhaps the hardest one. It's more than fatigue, it's being drained physically, emotionally, mentally, and/or spiritually. It's an emptiness that demands to be filled and a spirit that must be replenished.  We urge folks to consider what sustains them and to consider that growing spiritually is the key to manageability. Identifying and Coping Most of us in early recovery are immature emotionally. We may be very good at managing external things, yet struggle to regulate our internal experiences (emotions, thoughts, memories). We often feel "squirrelly" or "antsy." Anxiety is extremely common in recovery. We struggle to feel safe inside our own skin. Many of us experience social anxiety, obsessions, compulsions, and occasionalbouts of panic. Sobriety forces us to be acutely aware of the very things we've been running and hiding from. There is no way to let go of pain in a way that doesn't hurt. There's no way to face fear without being afraid and there's no way to release anger without getting angry. Identifying and coping are key. I recommend to those I serve that they check in with themselves frequently. This is as simple as asking... "what am I doing?" and "how am I doing?" If we are completely honest with ourselves, we can then ask, "What would I recommend to a friend in my shoes?" Reaching out, using healthy self talk, journaling, prayer and meditation are foundational to our stability. "I Let It Go" This expression most often means that we're ignoring it and trying our best to pretend we're not messed up about it. Acceptance and forgiveness hinge upon releasing our resentments. Again, there is no way to let go of pain in a way that doesn't hurt. There's no way to face fear without being afraid and there's no way to release anger without getting angry. You have to feel it to let it go. The most frustrating aspect of this is that letting it go is rarely a one time event. It took us years to get here and there are no quick fixes. "I Gave It to God" In order to "turn it over" we must first be willing to let it go (see above). I respect what any person's faith dictates. My Pentecostal friends have an expression that, "God is a gentleman." To me this means that our Higher Power won't force a course of action that impinges upon our free will. Surrender is equal parts desperation and willingness. In addition to experiencing and expressing our emotions, turning things over to our Higher Power requires acceptance of powerless and acknowledging that only with grace will we achieve our goals. When we ask our Higher Power to remove things like past pain or character defects, we receive the needed assistance. This most often comes in the form of people placed in our paths to guide us through the next part of the journey. There does not seem to be any instant gratification. Transformation is a process. Read in browser »   Recent featured articles: Relapse Prevention: How to Relax with Imagery SMART Recovery: A Free Science-Based Alternative to the 12 Steps Gut Bacteria Protect Your Mental Health. Learn How to Protect Your Microbiome The Four Ds – a Simple Relapse Prevention Strategy Avoiding Methadone Overdose During the Dangerous First 2 Weeks And, as always, thank you for reading! All the best to you and yours, Martin Schoel, founder of Choose Help P.S. If you’d like to dive into the conversation, make sure to follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook (40K+ people do). FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO A LOVED ONE Do you or someone you know need rehab? Click or 'Tap' to speak with us now: (877) 333-5266 Facebook Twitter Google Plus Pinterest

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News-Impact-Advocacy August 26, 2016 Don't forget to register for PRO- ACT Recovery Walks! 2016     Click here to register! Hope Against Overdose  August 31st, 2016 9:00am-10:00am PRO-ACT 1286 Veterans Highway, Ste. D6, Bristol, Pennsylvania Saturday, September 17 PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! 2016 Penn's Landing, Philadelphia Registration begins at 7:00 am; Walk begins at 9:00 am Post-Walk Program begins at 10:15 am Stand Against Stigma--Walk for Recovery!  Register for the Walk here-- it's free STAY CONNECTED:

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STEP WORK 

JUST FOR TODAY August 25 , 2016

STEP 12 Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.(AA Big Book)

Psalm 96:3 is part of a hymn lifting up the Lord and praising Him for all that he has done. Much like we are eager to tell people when we are in love, the same should be true of God. We are so filled with love for Him and the blessings of the Spirit that we cannot keep silent.(GODS BIG BOOK)

By Joseph Dickerson /Recovery Connections 2016