An idea

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I was explaining to someone who made a request to join this group some

options more suited his situation (addiction to alcohol and street drugs). I

always try to give people some resources when our group can't serve their needs.

It's occurred to me that this type of drug recovery is also passion of mine and

even more so now that virtually all addictions services now tell people they

only use because they are " mentally ill " and need " treatment " (meaning

psychotropic drugs). It is rare for someone to go to a rehab and not come out a

few weeks later drugged and being told they can't help themselves so don't worry

if they use again.

I'd like to give people a place to come that would help them get sober and

keep them off psychotropic drugs. I don't have time to do this totally on my

own but I'd be willing to partner with 3 or 4 people to open a new group for

this. I'm looking for people who have beliefs similar to mine. I think it's

necessary to have some knowledge of addiction and it would help even more if you

had some knowledge about nutrition. I'm posting my response today to the person

looking for a group so you can understand my philosophy on this.

If you're interested in working with me on this project, please write back to

me privately at catherine.creel @gmail.com [close the space between the name and

@]and explain to me your belief system and vision for this group. Tell me why

you'd make a good partner for this venture. Thanks.

Here's the email I sent that gives an overview to my way of working with

someone. It's quite similar to how I approach things here.

=============BEGIN LETTER==========================

Hi __________,

You said:

<<HELLO FRIENDS, I AM _______, AN ALCOHOLIC AND DRUG ADDICT FROM INDIA.I

SUFFERED LIKE ANYTHING AND CAME TO RECOVERY AFTER 9 YEARS. I WANT TO HAVE

FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER ADDICTS TO HELP MY SELF AND OTHERS.>>

** If you read the description of the group you'll see that we work with

people trying to stop taking psychiatric drugs, not alcohol and street drugs..

There is plenty of help out there for what you're talking about. There are

support groups, message boards and 12 step meetings online. Just do a Google

search for " free resources for addiction recovery " . Here is a start for you.

You may find no ned to do a search after looking at these.

http://www.cyberrecovery.net/NA.html

http://www.earthgroupna.org/

http://www.aabigbook.com/

http://www.facebook.com/RecoveryRealm

http://www.12step.org/

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to formulate a plan you

will execute when you are feeling like using. Write those steps out and follow

them. Always have phone numbers for several other people in recovery. Call

them as needed. If you follow your plan like this, you will never " slip " .

Slipping is poor planning or choice. Also, if really struggling, make a deal

with yourself that you only have to not use for the next 30 min. Tell yourself

you're always free to use after that. Then, keep calling people or get to a

meeting. If 30 min. expires, tell yourself to wait another 30 min, or 10 min.

-- whatever it takes. If absolutely nobody is available, get creative. put all

your clothing except your pajamas in the tub and fill the tub with water. Where

are you going if you have no dry clothes?

I have a friend who had done a number of things to take her mind off

drinking. She found herself putting her coat on to go out to a bar. She was

frantic. She didn't call anyone because she said it was " too late " . She knew

if she allowed herself to get out the door it was going to be even more

difficult to not drink. As she passed through the kitchen to the door she saw a

bottle of extra virgin olive oil she had forgotten to put away earlier that

night. She grabbed the bottle, took off her coat and poured a few ounces over

her head an smeared in into her hair. Where was she going to go like that? It

was also going to take a while to wash it all out.

By the time she showered and washed out the oil, the urgency to go out and

drink had passed.

It also helps to ask yourself why you want to drink or use. Then, after you

answer, explore what other ways you can react to what you are feeling/thinking

instead of using.

Another tip, you have to be willing to hold yourself responsible. If you are

repeatedly relapsing, tell yourself if this happens again you will have to go to

90 meetings in 90 days. Then, hod yourself to it. If you really hate meetings

you've just cured yourself of your addictions, lol. But you have to be willing

to hold yourself to what you say.

Also important is good nutrition. Many times, poor nutrition is one of the

primary driving forces for addiction. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh whole

foods. I think I may not have to explain this to you as I have to explain to

people in the USA.

Above all, don't allow yourself to be told that you have a " chemical

imbalance and need medication for the rest of your life " and this why you abuse

substances. Since this line of crap has been being promoted by drug companies

(who else would be behind it), the recidivism rate for addiction has risen from

50% to 95% for most rehabs. You may not run into this in India but it happens

all the time now in the USA.

Conventional wisdom years ago used to state that you had to wait 2-3 years

after someone stopped drinking to see if they had a bipolar disorder. When this

time passed, less than 2% of people appeared to actually have bipolar disorders.

Today, virtually most people are diagnosed as having this immediately upon

entering a short term rehab. People are often put on psych drugs immediately.

Don't let this happen. If it already has, consider letting us assist you in

discontinuing these drugs. Done the wrong way will bring about a crisis and

people will tell you it is because you " need the drugs because you are ill " .

Good luck in your recovery.

Best wishes,

================END OF LETTER==============

So remember, to explore this more with me, please write privately.

Regards,