by Fiona Stockard | May 7, 2014 | Addiction Articles, Drug Addiction
2 Chainz Arrested For Drug Possession!
Rapper 2 Chainz was sentenced to three years probation and over a year in drug and alcohol treatment. Wait, there’s more! 2 Chainz will be required to wear a sobriety bracelet. Unfortunately, the court was all out of sobriety chains.
The sentence came after the thirty-six year old rapper, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, was arrested in June of 2013 at the Los Angeles International Airport.
So, What Happened?
Narcotics were uncovered in 2 Chainz’ checked baggage. Authorities immediately evacuated him from the plane and placed him in custody. “At more or less 1 p.m., Airport Police Officers found narcotics in the baggage check area of Terminal 5,” read a report from airport security.
“Transportation Security Administration prompted Airport Police officers they discovered marijuana and a flask of promethazine with codeine (also known by the street name of “purple drink or syrup) in the checked bag of Tauheed Epps (2 Chainz), an occupant of Riverdale, Georgia,” claimed authorities.
“Airport Police Officers examination uncovered Mr. Epps was ready for outbound flight, he was uprooted from the flight and arrested due to California Penal Code Section 11350a H & S – Possession of a controlled substance. Mr. Epps was transported to the Airport Police station for preparatory transforming and transported to and booked at the LAPD Pacific Division Jail without further occurrence,” claimed authorities.
The narcotics uncovered turned out to be Promethazine. Promethazine, along with codeine, makes up the drug known as “sizzurp” and “purple drank.” Less than an ounce of marijuana was also found in the rapper’s belonging.
Now, 2 Chainz would normally be sentenced to jail, not probation and treatment. His decreased sentence came from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz. The honorably Mr. Schwartz is known for implementing treatment resources, rather than strict jail sentences.
by A Women in Sobriety | May 1, 2014 | Addiction Articles, Benefits of Sobriety
Would I Hire a Women in Recovery?
When you consider hiring a recovering addict or alcoholic, there are going to be concerns. Oh, are there going to be concerns!
Is she reliable? Am I putting anyone in danger? Don’t addicts steal? What if the stress becomes too much? What if she relapses? Will it be my fault?
These are certainly legitimate concerns, but there’s only one make-it-or-break-it question – Do the benefits of hiring a woman in recovery outweigh the risks?
Well, do they?
In my experience, the answer is a resounding yes! My experience is that women who’ve gone to a women’s treatment center understand the magnitude of second (and maybe third) chances. This is true of everyone in recovery, really.
Women in recovery know their sobriety may be considered a risk. They’ve already worked harder than most other applications to reach the point where they’re applying for a job! They know the odds might be slim. So when they DO get a job, they tend to work harder. They take extra care to be more reliable. They work a program of recovery which places a premium on honesty, hard work, and accountability. They have an appreciation for the job which goes well beyond a paycheck!
I’ve found that recovering women take more pride in their work. They value their accomplishments. They’ve worked incredibly hard to even be in a position to become employable.
Recovering alcoholics understand accountability. When mistakes are made, and they always are!, recovering women know how to admit and accept fault. They’ll work immediately and tirelessly to right any wrongs.
Yet another benefit of hiring those in sobriety is their commitment. Many recovering alcoholics put their work and careers ahead of their social lives (yeah, we’re weird like that!). Wile other employees are rushing to happy house, those in recovery have different priorities. Of course, we’re only human and are happy to leave at the end of the workday. Getting to a meeting is much higher on the list than hanging out at a local bar. You can be fairly certain they won’t be trudging into work late and hungover!
Overall, I’d say the benefits of hiring those in recovery far outweigh that possible risks. Besides, I’ve worked with, and likely hired, plenty of lying, cheating, unreliable criminals who weren’t addicts!
by Sally Rosa | Apr 28, 2014 | 12 Steps, Addiction Articles
Made a Searching and Fearless Moral Inventory of Ourselves
“A business which takes no regular inventory usually goes broke. Taking commercial inventory is a fact-finding and a fact-facing process. It is an effort to discover the truth about the stock-in-trade. One object is to disclose damaged or unsalable goods, to get rid of them promptly and without regret. If the owner of the business is to be successful, he cannot fool himself about values.
We did exactly the same thing with our lives. We took stock honestly. First, we searched out the flaws in our make-up, which caused our failure. Being convinced that self, manifested in various ways, was what had defeated us, we considered its common manifestations.
Resentment is the “number one” offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick. When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.”
-A.A Big Book p.64
How Do You Do a Fourth Step?
Well, to get to the fourth step, you must have done the first three! Once we admit we have no control over alcohol, we can come to believe in a power greater than ourselves. Then, we can become willing to put our will and life (thoughts and actions) into that Higher Power’s hands. Then, and only then, are we ready to do Step Four.
There are a million ways to work a fourth step. Each sponsor does it differently. The important part is that we follow some basic guidelines.
First, there are three sections of the a fourth step: resentments, fears, and a sexual inventory. While thinking about and writing each section, we need to always to 100% truthful. That’s the hard part! It’s scary to write everything on a piece of paper. It’s even scarier to think about sharing this with another woman! It’s also necessary to overcome alcoholism and addiction.
What Does a Fourth Step Look Like?
For the resentments section, we
- List all the people, places, or principles we have resentments towards (I’m resentful at…)
- List the cause of our resentment (what happened?, why am I resentful?)
- List how we were hurt or threatened in the following categories: self-esteem, pride, emotional security, finances, ambitions, personal relations, and sexual relations
- List how we played a part, using: selfishness, dishonesty, self-seeking, fear, and inconsideration
- List the exact and specific nature of our wrongs for each resentment
For the fears section, we
- List the people, places, and principals that we fear
- List why we are afraid
- List the parts of our lives which have failed us and resulted in our fears. We use the following categories: self-reliance, self-confidence, self-discipline, and self-will
- List the parts of ourselves that specific fears are affecting. We use the following categories: self-esteem, pride, emotional security, finical, ambitions, personal relations, and sexual relations
- Pray and begin to have faith in a Higher Power. We then pray for our Higher Power to help remove these fears
For the sexual inventory, we
- List all the people who we’ve had sexual and romantic relationships with
- List what happened and what we did
- List the exact nature of our wrongs, faults, mistakes, defects, and shortcomings. We use the following questions: Was I selfish? Was I dishonest? Was I inconsiderate? Was I self-seeking? Was this relationship selfish?
- List who exactly was harmed
- List what we should have done differently
What’s the Point of Step Four?
The Big Book says, “Resentment is the number one offender.” Through working a Fourth Step, we’re able to begin to let go of resentments. Now, losing resentments is a lifelong process, but a thorough fourth step is a great way to start!
Through working a fourth step, we’re able to examine ourselves objectively and honestly (with the help of our sponsor, of course!). We learn the roles we’ve played in our resentments, fears, and sexual conduct. Once we know where we’ve been wrong, we seek spiritual strength and a spiritual solution.
Does it work?
By discovering our emotional conflicts, dependences, displacements, disturbances, scars, complications, appeals, disorders, binges, balances, and insecurities, we’re able to fix them and change. Through change, we’re able to fully connect with a power greater than ourselves and grow in its likeness. Without willingness, courage, and honesty there’s little success for alcoholics like us.
Without Step Four, sobriety is impossible. We may remain dry from booze for periods of time, but we’re unable to live a happy and meaningful life. So, get off your a*s and start writing!
by Sally Rosa | Apr 18, 2014 | Addiction Articles, Body Image / Eating Disorders
Facebook Is The Biggest Thing Around
In the HBO show Girls, Shoshanna and Jessa have the following conversation –
Shoshanna: Your not serious, that’s like not being on Facebook!
Jessa: I’m not on Facebook.
Shoshanna: You’re so f**king classy.
Since way back in 2004, when Facebook started, it’s been a HUGE part of our society in every way. Facebook lingo has infiltrated our language with “likes” and “add me” becoming common phrases. Hell, Facebook’s even had a major motion picture made about it. When the company went public in 2012, they had a market value of over one hundred billion dollars. One hundred. Billion. Dollars. Dang!
Facebook isn’t without its haters though. Many people believe it’s ruined our culture and society. They argue that we’re so obsessed with capturing and posting our lives, that we miss out on them! This has gotten even worse since smartphones came out. Today, people go into a state of panic if they’re missing their phones.
So, How Is Facebook Detrimental to Women in Early-Recovery?
I think it’s obvious that Facebook is a dangerous place for women who tend to compare themselves. Who doesn’t have the tendency to do that every once and awhile?
In another Girl’s scene, Marni finds a picture of her recent ex-boyfriend on vacation with his new girlfriend. What twenty-something can’t relate to Facebook stalking an ex?
For women in recovery though, social media is a perilous place. For people trying to live by spiritual principles, looking at Facebook and judging, or becoming jealous, leads to a place far away from God.
In early-recovery, seeing others drinking and drugging can be difficult. Scratch that, it IS difficult! Glorifying the party lifestyle, while trying to stay sober, is dangerous. On the flip side, seeing friends from high school and college having success is also hard. In short, Facebook is dangerous if you’re freshly sober.
For women suffering from body dysmorphia and eating disorders, Facebook is also a difficult place. Comparing our bodies with other women’s isn’t healthy. Comparing our pictures against thinner versions of ourselves isn’t healthy either.
What’s My Point?
It might be a smart idea to delete your Facebook during early-recovery. At the very least, limit the amount of time you spend on social media. Use it to check in with family (if your family relationship is healthy!).
Your free time might be better used reading recovery literature. Your free time might be better used working the twelve-steps. Your free time might be better used making real friends, not Facebook friends. Your free time might be better used finding out what you really like, not what you Facebook like.
by Sally Rosa | Apr 14, 2014 | 12 Steps, Addiction Articles
What Does Resting On Your Laurels Even Mean?
That’s a good question! Resting on your laurels is when you’re so satisfied with your achievements that you stop growing. You stop making an attempt to grow in the image and likeness of God as you understand God.
Resting on your laurels is serious business! It happens to those new in recovery and those with time. Learning why resting on your laurels can lead to relapse is yet another step towards long-term sobriety.
Page Eighty-Five in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says
“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all of our activities. ‘How can I best serve Thee – Thy will (not mine) be done.’ These are thoughts, which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will.”
Even AA admits that it’s easy to rest on our laurels! Remember though, sobriety is a marathon, not a sprint! Just because we rest on our laurels for a little while, doesn’t mean we can’t start working a spiritual program of action again. Wait a minute, just what is a spiritual program of action?
What is a Spiritual Program of Action?
This is different for everyone. Basically, as long as you have a Higher Power, which has been found through the twelve-steps, you’re good to go.
That last part is important. We must find our Higher Power through the twelve-steps. Once we’ve found that Higher Power, we need to continue to work steps ten, eleven, and twelve in our daily lives. We need to live in the solution!
To practice step ten, we need to write a personal inventory and reflect on our day. By doing this, we’re able to see where we were selfish and fearful. We’re able to see how our Higher Power can help us change those behaviors.
To practice step eleven, we need to pray and meditate on a daily basis. A simple way of thinking about prayer and meditation is that in prayer we’re talking to our Higher Power and in meditation we’re listening to it. Through practicing the eleventh step, we learn that nothing happens by accident!
To practice step ten, we need to carry the message and help others. That’s how we stay sober. Those of us who’ve finished the steps experience a spiritual awakening. At this point, our perceptions change. We see things in a way we never thought was possible. We’re able to start helping other women.
What Happens When You Rest on Your Laurels?
When you rest on your laurels things progressively get worse. That’s just how it goes. Eventually, you relapse. Because of how alcoholism works, you may be resting on your laurels and not even realize it!
There have been countless stories of alcoholics and what they did to get better. Usually, after a certain degree of success, we feel like we don’t need AA anymore, or that we’re okay where we’re at.
Even after graduating a women’s treatment center, even after completing the twelve-steps, us alcoholics CAN’T do this on our own. We must find a power greater than ourselves. Sober time doesn’t matter. As long as we stay spiritually fit, maintain what we learn through the steps, and continue to grow, we’re going to be okay. We’re going to live a meaningful, sober life.
It’s our choice whether we continue to grow or rest on our laurels. If we do rest on our laurels, we begin to fall back into a dry-drunk life, until we eventually drink. Them’s the facts, kiddos.
