Today we continue to look at our fears realistically.  this is a much needed step toward maintaining sobriety and recovery.  This is  just another part to our relapse prevention.

Yesterday we developed a list of fears that are present in our lives.  Your list should be specific to you.  Today you will need to place them on paper to take a closer look at them.  divide your paper into 2 columns.. In the first column list the fear that you experience.  In the second column you will need to list exactly why you have that fear.

Here is an example:

I’m fearful of             Why do I have this fear?

flying                               the only time I flew I ened up with a severe earache and infection that lasted 2 weeks

heights                            I do not have good balance and I do not want to hurt myself by falling.

Now you know 2 of my deepest fears.  It is time to do your own list.  Tomaorrow we will get into everyones favorite subject.  You guessed it.   SEX   I’m sure we will have alot of new visitors with that one.   LOL

Mental Health Humor

Codependency   A view that those that live with an addict also suffer some of the symptoms associated with addiction. This can be self esteem, self independence, and image issues.

For a list of symptoms see Continue Reading »

We, as addicts do not like to be honest.  Many of us have supported our addiction with our ability to lie or stretch the truth.  I know addicts who would rather lie than tell the truth even if they know that you know the truth.  I’m not sure that these people can be helped.  Until you are ready to face the truth about yourself and admit it to yourself and others you are never going to be healthy.  I found myself in a situation that I needed to tell the truth and instead I fibbed.  I felt so guilty afterward that I have not been right for days.  Now that I have went back and made things right with the necessary people I can move forward again.  I have told you from the beginning that honesty is of utmost importance.  Fessing up is good for the soul.  we are not perfect but we must keep striving forward.  Now if you will excuse me for tonight I have a very long talk to do with God.  I must ask His forgiveness and i am sure you will understand.  After tonight we should be back on track and get some really good stuff in the next couple of days.  TELL THE TRUTH.

My 3 year anniversary for being clean and sober is coming up and a new friend of mine just celebrated 1 year.  I have also received some searches on the subject so I thought today would be a good day to talk about it.  When do we celebrate?  What are the different milestones?  How do we celebrate?  What can we do to celebrate?

Let’s start with milestones.  Most of us have trouble just getting the first day under our belt so that is diffenatly a milestone! week is awesome for many of us as is 1 month.  Most 12 step programs reward at the 24 hours, 1 month, 60 and or 90 days.  6 months 1 year, 18 months and then by years are the later stages of rewards.  As we grow in our recovery we tend to need less recognition from others and focus more on others than we do ourselves.  Each birthday is and should be a big deal.  I for one prefer my clean and sober birthday to the chronological birthday.  That is when my life truly began.

There are many ways to celebrate such as a special dinner or a movie.  Just telling others so they can rejoice with you.  Everyone likes to congratulate someone else on a job well done especially one so difficult.  Give them the opportunity by telling them of your accomplishment.   I certainlly recommend going to a 12 step meeting and letting them know that it is possible to succeed.  They will also give you a token there that you can carry with you as a constant remeinder.  DO NOT CELBRATE BY USING.  I thought someone might need to know that even if it seems so obvious to others.  Remember we did not get to be addicts by always making the appropreiate choices.  Whatever you decide to do in celebration be sure that you enjoy it and that you do not take lightly your milestone.  For all those out there who are celebrating today I want to extend my personal congratulations.  Well done friend.

Many veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other combat-related trauma self-medicate with alcohol and other drugs, so therapists need to be aware of the need to treat both.  The Newport News Daily Press reported March 31 that self-medication is especially prevalent among active military because soldiers are reluctant to seek mental-health counseling, fearing the it could hurt their careers.  Addiction specialist Larry Ashley, a Vietnam War veteran, said that combat veterans have unique needs that civilian counselors often are unequipped to deal with.

With today being Veterans Day I felt it important to give them special attention.  The things that our troops experience during combat are more than anyone should have to ever undergo.  These things are drastic and devastating.  Our veterans get the feeling that no one understands what they have been through.  They feel lost and ashamed that they can not re-assimilate into society in what would be considered normal fashion.  They can not return to the life they once had because they are different.  Any one who has undergone some type of detestation can begin to relate in a small way.

The Veteran, not knowing what else to do turns to drugs and/or alcohol to numb some of the pain they are feeling.  Their treatment is two-fold and in the counseling circles is known as Dual Diagnosis.  This simply means that the patient not only has a substance abuse problem that must be addressed they also have a psychological problem that requires special attention.  These Veterans need special love and attention not only from their families but from a specialist in the field of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans.  The local Veterans Administration Hospital will have more information so please contact them.