We all have personal power. Yes, we are made of energy particles therefore we are energy and energy is power. We all have the ability to use our power in amazing ways. We also have Free Will to do what we want with our energy. Have you ever "willed" yourself sick before an event you really did not want to go to...focused intensely on how happy you would feel after passing an exam...visualized yourself excelling in a sports game and actually have these happen, just as you expected? You used your personal power. What would happen if you focused on how to steal some money for the next fix....constantly lied to cover your habit...always thought about your "bad luck"? Your power would start becoming negative and sickly. Once you cross over that line and become addicted to some type of opioid, you give your personal power away to the drug 100%. The drug now controls you. You have allowed the drug to take your personal power. It starts affecting every aspect of your life because you are now the puppet. The drug has taken over your personality. You are negative, irritable and don't care about anything except your next drug use. It ruins your family life, social life, your school and/or your work. On the outside you are the same person, but on the inside you lack personal power because you gave it away. So, TAKE IT BACK! Step 1 in the 12 Steps talks about admitting you are powerless. Any disagreement there? If you are an addict then you are powerless at this time. But you CAN start heading the the direction of getting your power back 100%. It is never too late to begin this process. In order to do this you must begin at a basic level and admit that drugs have your personal power.... temporarily. At the very least, start Addiction Counseling. Maybe you need inpatient or maybe an outpatient clinic fits your needs. See an Addiction professional. They can get your input then tell you which one is best for you. Don't rely strictly on your friends and family unless they have experience and education in Addiction. There are too many myths out there. Family and friends however, can be a great support system if they are interested in becoming educated and involved with your recovery. With the right treatment, with the right professionals, with the right attitude, you CAN take back your personal power 100%. Read about "The Next Step: The Phone Call" and read about being "...nervous about going to a 12 Step Meeting" for more insight.
OPIATE ADDICTION: Let's talk about Opiate Use and Drug misuse
Showing posts with label meeting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meeting. Show all posts
Nervous about going to a 12 Step Meeting?
For many, a 12 Step Meeting or even the concepts of the 12 Steps is too much to take in all at once. All you want to do is stop using! You might not want to read about the history of AA or NA. You might think all this wording is way too long and it can't hold your interest. You might think the meeting is a bunch of blah, blah, blah. The truth is that you are at the very beginning of recovery or just contemplating recovery. This means you are nervous, anxious, jittery and can hardly tolerate sitting through the meeting itself! Twelve steps will seem like a long list of chores. It is too difficult to focus at the beginning of recovery. Don't over think it! No one will expect anything out of you. If you can't sit through an entire meeting, go outside for a few minutes, then return. Maybe walk off some of that nervous energy or talk to others who are doing the same as you. Try not to smoke. Remember, no war stories! The one rule during conversations: never speak of you amount of use as if it is something to brag about. That is addictive behavior and it could trigger someone beside you to go out and use. Be kind, always.
At the meeting you will see people of all ages, races, job positions. Addiction is not prejudice. Another basic rule is anonymity. Who you see in the meeting never gets acknowledged outside of the meeting. Same with whoever sees you. It is the golden rule and all alcoholics and addicts have honored this for many, many years. If you only follow one thing, this is it. Be kind, always.
Usually at meeting there are pamphlets or books. Often someone further along in recovery will offer you their beginner's book. Don't blow it off entirely. You can get some material and save the reading for when you are at a slightly better place, when you can sit still and focus your energy. When you start some reading, you can divide it up according to your needs. A chapter at a time, a page at a time, a paragraph at a time, or a sentence at a time. No pressure. It is at your own pace. Once you are totally done with a book, pass it on to a newbie. Be kind, always.
After the meeting, the room has to be arranged the way it was before it was prepared for the meeting. The coffee percolator must be emptied and rinsed out. Volunteers are needed. If you have the time and need to use some of that nervous energy, offer to help. Be kind, always.
Congratulations if you made it to your first meeting! Good job!
At the meeting you will see people of all ages, races, job positions. Addiction is not prejudice. Another basic rule is anonymity. Who you see in the meeting never gets acknowledged outside of the meeting. Same with whoever sees you. It is the golden rule and all alcoholics and addicts have honored this for many, many years. If you only follow one thing, this is it. Be kind, always.
Usually at meeting there are pamphlets or books. Often someone further along in recovery will offer you their beginner's book. Don't blow it off entirely. You can get some material and save the reading for when you are at a slightly better place, when you can sit still and focus your energy. When you start some reading, you can divide it up according to your needs. A chapter at a time, a page at a time, a paragraph at a time, or a sentence at a time. No pressure. It is at your own pace. Once you are totally done with a book, pass it on to a newbie. Be kind, always.
After the meeting, the room has to be arranged the way it was before it was prepared for the meeting. The coffee percolator must be emptied and rinsed out. Volunteers are needed. If you have the time and need to use some of that nervous energy, offer to help. Be kind, always.
Congratulations if you made it to your first meeting! Good job!
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