Preparation for 12 Step Study

We are very excited that we are almost ready to begin our study of the 12 Steps that will lead us to Recovery.  Our prior discussions have been an attempt to prepare you for this endeavor.  By now you should be ready to embark on your journey to Recovery.

Remember that Recovery is being restored to any former or better condition.  It is not merely the abstinence of using but learning to live life on life’s terms.

The road to Recovery will have a lot of bumps, pot holes and some breakdowns along the way.  There will be some construction zones as well as some traffic delays.  But don’t be discouraged, there will also be some smooth roads and some rest areas along the route.  There is no need to speed or rush and be mindful of shortcuts and detours; they don’t always lead us in the right direction.  Just follow the road map, be alert, be persistent and you WILL arrive at your destination.

Fortunately, this is not a “leave the driving to us” trip, because each of us must make this journey for our self.  If we are to succeed, we must be responsible and do the work required to get us to our destination. 

Although we are all heading in the same direction and to the same destination, Recovery, not all of us will reach it at the same time.  Sadly, some of us will not make it at all.

Remind yourself that there is no time limit, no first place and no last place.  We all must proceed at our own pace.  The main thing is to make solid progress.  The point is that everyone that reaches their destination is a Winner regardless of how long it takes.  As long as you finish.

Caution: this doesn’t mean that you can tarry and procrastinate either.  Those who do will not have built a solid foundation upon which to place their Recovery.

But before we begin everyone needs to review, prepare and equip themselves.  First review the previous posts to familiarize yourself with the mechanics of Recovery.  Second, prepare your mind for your journey.  Then equip yourself with the necessary travel provisions that you may need along the way.

Ask any questions that you may have now because starting Feb 1, 2013, we begin the trip to Recovery.

Join us again soon.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!” 

 

Addiction - Conclusion

Addiction: the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

Welcome back folks.  We hope that everyone enjoyed a great Christmas and that your New Year is off to a productive start.

Before the holidays we were discussing “addiction” and that’s where we will pick up this time.

Remember, addiction isn’t the occasional weekend use or drunk.  Addiction involves much more frequent use.

As was stated, living in our addiction is counterproductive.  This leads to the unmanageability of our lives.  Having a drink or using just to loosen up or to feel like we fit in normally lands us in more trouble and with more problems than we had in the first place.  Yet, we still to do it.  We have to-because we are addicted.

The fact that our addiction is persistent keeps us in bondage to that unmanageable lifestyle. No matter how many promises we make or how much trouble we get into, the compulsion will continue to rise up and we will give in to it.  Until we overcome our addiction and the underlying reason(s) that we use, we will be a slave to it.

  Simple, just not easy.  That’s where we will pick it up next time. 

Join us again soon.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!” 

NEW YEAR

  “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” 

    ― Benjamin Franklin

Merry Christmas

All of us here at Your Daily Fix would like to wish you and yours a Very

MERRY  CHRISTMAS

And a blessed

New Year

Happy Birthday Jesus

Join us again soon.

Until then ……. Be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”

Addiction - Part II

Addiction: the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

Welcome back folks.  We hope that the information in our last post was helpful and that you have a better understanding of addiction. 

If you missed the last post, please take the time to read over it now as the information in it explains addiction very well. 

As you read, all addictions have two aspects in common.  1) addiction is counter-productive and 2) addictive behavior is persistent.

Most of us know all too well the counter-productiveness of our addiction.  And we certainly should understand the persistence of it.

Our behavior usually resulted in problems and troubles and we would usually make un-keep-able promises not to do it again.

In short, we had a unique ability to get tight at the wrong moment.

That’s where we will pick it up next time.

Join us again soon.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!” 

  

 

Addiction - Part 1

Addiction:  the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

Welcome back folks we hope that you’re ready to embark on Addiction.

Being enslaved….sound familiar?  Addiction isn’t the normal Friday night high or buzz.  When we are addicted to something we are enslaved to it.  We must have it, at any cost.  But before we get into that, let’s take a look at some information that we found on About.com.   The following information is excerpts from this article and give a very good explanation on Addiction.

 

*Although the precise symptoms vary from one addiction to another, in clarifying what is an addiction, there are two aspects that all addictions have in common.

Firstly, the addictive behavior is maladaptive or counter-productive to the individual. So instead of helping the person adapt to situations or overcome problems, it tends to undermine these abilities.

For example, a gambler might wish he had more money –- yet gambling is more likely to drain his financial resources. A heavy drinker might want to cheer herself up –- yet alcohol use contributes to the development of her depression. A sex addict may crave intimacy –- yet the focus on sexual acts may prevent real closeness from developing.

Secondly, the behavior is persistent. When someone is addicted, they will continue to engage in the addictive behavior, despite it causing them trouble.

So an occasional weekend of self-indulgence is not addiction, although it may cause different kinds of problems. Addiction involves more frequent engagement in the behavior.

*Because the media, in particular, have portrayed addicts as hopeless, unhappy people whose lives are falling apart, many people with addictions do not believe they are addicted as long as they are enjoying themselves, and they are holding their lives together.

Often people’s addictions become ingrained in their lifestyle, to the point where they never or rarely feel withdrawal symptoms. Or they may not recognize their withdrawal symptoms for what they are, putting them down to aging, working too hard, or just to not liking mornings. People can go for years without realizing how dependent they are on their addiction.

*Addictions are harmful both to the person with the addiction, and to the people around them.

The biggest problem is the addicted person’s failure to recognize the harm their addiction is doing. They may be in denial about the negative aspects of their addiction, choosing to ignore the effects on their health, life patterns and relationships. Or they may blame outside circumstances or other people in their lives for their difficulties.

The harm caused by addiction is particularly difficult to recognize when the addiction is the person’s main way of coping with the other problems they have. Sometimes other problems are directly related to the addiction, for example, health problems, and sometimes they are indirectly related to the addiction, for example, relationship problems.

Some people who get addicted to substances or activities are very aware of their addictions, and even the harms caused by the addiction, but keep doing the addictive behavior anyway. This can be because they don’t feel they can cope without the addiction, because they are avoiding dealing with some other issue that the addiction distracts them from (such as being abused as a child), or because they do not know how to enjoy life any other way.

The harm of addiction may only be recognized when the addicted person goes through a crisis. This can happen when the addictive substance or behavior is taken away completely, and the person goes into withdrawal and cannot cope. Or it can occur as a consequence of the addiction, such as a serious illness, a partner leaving, or loss of a job.

You can read the full article Here 

We hope that this information has been a helpful introduction into Addiction.

Join us again soon.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!” 

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

We here at Your Daily Fix hope that your Thanksgiving Holiday is safe, sober and clean and that you enjoy all the blessings that you have been given this past year and anticipate those yet to come.  Those of us that have been in the Recovery arena for a few days know all too well just how important it is to have an "attitude of gratitude".  This time of year is the perfect time to enhance our gratitude list.  And if you haven't started yours yet it's especially a good time to do that also.  

The Thanksgiving Song - IgniterMedia.com from ignitermedia on GodTube.

 

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”