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=====TABLE OF CONTENTS=====
=====EDITOR'S COMMENTS
=====READERS' COMMENTS
=====TIGHT BRIEFS
=====ADDICTION & RECOVERY
=====SPONSOR'S CORNER
=====FRIENDLY LINKS
=====PURE BOLOGNA
=====SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE
=====WITHDRAWAL
=====EDITOR'S COMMENTS=====
PLEASE NOTE: Principles looks at recovery through the lens of an "Eastern"
perspective, which fits nicely with 12-step programs' spiritual underpinnings--that is, if you're
willing to read it that way.
PRIVACY: I will never publish, give, loan, or sell your email address to anyone. Never - Ever - No way - No how.
DISTRIBUTION: God willing, Principles hits cyberspace once a week - sometime between Thursday evening and Friday
morning. Find Subscribe & Unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of this page.
Thanks...Charles Roper
=====READERS' RAMBLINGS=====
From J & N:
To the individual who is dealing with an alcoholic he loves, I say, "Please go to Alanon. I have been in your wife's position.
It wasn't until my husband attended Alanon that I found sobriety (almost 14 years ago). The dear man put up with me
for many years until I found the way to stay sober - by following the 12 steps. He just celebrated his 26th AA
birthday, and I had the pleasure of introducing him. I almost cringed when I read your words because I can also feel the
pain that I must have caused my spouse; however, today we are dedicated to our programs and to helping others. The
answers are always in our programs - both AA and Alanon. We will keep you in our prayers.
From C:
Those who live with untreated alcoholism are often, sadly, in more denial about the problem than the "practicing" loved
ones they so dearly hope to fix. It is, after all, very difficult to comprehend that the alcoholic is not to blame for the disease,
and that it can't be "cured" by efforts to control it, however well-meaning. One of the first things one is likely to hear upon
introduction to Al-Anon is the saying "I didn't cause it, and I can't fix it." New Al-Anon members are often dismayed to hear
that the Al-Anon program is not about teaching them to help the alcoholic, but to help themselves.
From L:
I hear "I don't have time to go to meetings" a lot. Sure, it takes time. Yes, I know you are busy. Yes, I know it is not
always easy to get to meetings. Yes, you will not find the answers to your problems in one meeting. But it all comes
down to this, "Do you want help? Then go get it." It's there.
From P:
I'm a member or AA (14 years) and Alanon (6 years). I have a small child, a husband, and a job, so I can relate to the man
who said that going to meetings takes time. But what I get from attending Alanon meetings is the feeling of not being alone in
my problems and the understanding that recovery is possible, even for me. I can't rely on meetings alone, though, to get a
spiritual awakening. I need a sponsor, I need to read the literature, and I must work the Alanon steps to get the answers
that are mine.
Please email your comments & questions to:
Mailto:Principles-Newsletter-owner@egroups.com
=====TIGHT BRIEFS=====
A recent national survey of licensed physicians found that they were evenly divided on the issue of medical marijuana.
Of the 960 physicians questioned nationwide, 36 percent agreed that doctors should be able to legally prescribe
marijuana as medical therapy, while 38 percent disagreed, and 26 percent were neutral.
=====ADDICTION & RECOVERY=====
To reach recovery, most of us first had to reach bottom - an absolute low point in our lives with alcohol, drugs, and self-destructive denial. Bottom initiated change to the extent that
we became willing and able to change our behaviors.
If we were lucky, our recovery programs - that is, our programs of growth and change - guided us to a second form of
recovery - a spiritual transformation. And quite often, we reached a second bottom - a spiritual bottom - along the way.
A few people hit their spiritual bottoms simultaneously with their addiction bottoms. But most of us reach it when we're
well into the recovery process. The timing isn't important; the happening is.
The steps recommend prayer and meditation as the way to achieve conscious contact with a Higher Power. Meditation
can also serve as a tool for hastening our second bottom - our second letting go, when we surrender our small self - our
frightened ego and our separateness from the world.
John Blofeld, a pioneering Western Buddhist, translator, and author, says that the goal of Zen practice is to have a mind
that reflects the world like a mirror, just as it is, free of the ego's dreams, expectations, and judgments. This is the true essence
of recovery: We are not different from the world.
=====SPONSOR'S CORNER=====
If you haven't read High Bottom Drunk yet, please visit my website,
http://www.highbottomdrunk.com,
and take a look.
If you purchase the book from there, I'll send you two free gifts (modest but useful) with each copy. If you want, I'll
inscribe your copy as per your instructions - within reason, of course. You can request specific inscription wording in
the text box at the bottom of one of shopping cart pages.
http://www.highbottomdrunk.com
<a href="http://www.highbottomdrunk.com"> AOL Link
Here</a>
High Bottom Drunk: A Novel...and the Truth about Addiction &
Recovery, by Charles N. Roper
=====FRIENDLY LINKS=====
This week's featured link is: Way2Hope
This site is dedicated to helping people find solutions to life's problems. Problem areas addressed include alcoholism,
drug addiction, sexual abuse, marriage, and debt.
Visit the site:
http://www.way2hope.org
<a href="http://www.way2hope.org"> AOL Link</a>
=====PURE BOLOGNA & HOGWASH=====
Two drunks were standing outside the front door of the bar arguing about whether the bright ball in the sky was the sun or
the moon. Just before they came to blows, another drunk stumbled out. They grabbed him and asked him to settle their
argument by telling them whether the bright ball in the sky was the sun or the moon.
The third drunk squinted his eyes, looked to the sky, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "I'd like to help you fellers out, but the
truth is I just don't know. I ain't from around here."
--Heard on one of Townes van Zandt's live recordings.
=====SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE=====
To SUBSCRIBE to this publication, send any e-mail to:
Mailto:Principles-Newsletter-subscribe@egroups.com
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Mailto:Principles-Newsletter-unsubscribe@egroups.com
=====WITHDRAWAL=====
Let's do each other a favor and keep it simple.
Charles Roper, Editor
Principles: The Addiction & Recovery Newsletter
Alcohol & Drug Abuse - The Addiction & Recovery Information &
Resources Website:
http://www.alcoholanddrugabuse.com
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