by Fiona Stockard | Aug 7, 2014 | 12 Steps, Addiction Articles
Written By: Fiona Stockard
The Big Book Broken Down – Part Two
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who help each other to recover from alcohol and drug addiction. It was founded in June of 1935, just celebrated its seventy-ninth anniversary, and boasts over two million members.
AA’s central text is the Big Book. With a sponsor and a Big Book, AA members work the twelve steps, and “recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body” (title page).
Today, I’ll be breaking down chapter two, There Is a Solution.
There Is a Solution
The chapter opens by saying, “We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as Bill. Nearly all have recovered. They have solved the drink problem” (17).
This is the great promise of AA, a SOLUTION to alcoholism. AA doesn’t claim to keep only certain members sober. They don’t offer single digit recovery statistics. Rather, Alcoholics Anonymous lets people RECOVER from alcoholism.
Recover. As in get better. As in “the problem has been removed” (85). Of course, this only happens after some serious work with a sponsor and god!
The chapter goes on, “But the ex-problem drinker who has found this solution, who is properly armed with facts about himself, can generally win the entire confidence of another alcoholic in a few hours” (18).
This is another pillar of AA, the idea that alcoholics can help fellow alcoholics, in ways no one else can. I’ve had a ton of great therapists, but they didn’t get me sober. Hell, they didn’t even help me to cut down.
Once I met this ex-problem drinker, who ended up being my sponsor, I started to change. Of course, I didn’t trust her all at once. She established trust by telling me her crazy experiences. She told me about how badly she wanted to stop drinking and using, but couldn’t. She shared her experiences, emotions, feelings, and thoughts, which were just like mine!
On the next page, it says, “We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs” (19).
I’ll explore this idea in greater detail in later columns. For now though, it’s important to remember that abstinence itself is only a beginning. Recovery is about much more than not drinking. It’s about living a life that benefits other people and society at large. I mean, how selfish and stupid would it be to get sober and still be an asshole!
Next, the chapter lays out some of the different types of drinkers. They propose there are moderate drinkers, hard drinkers, and alcoholics. The moderate drinker is your typical social drinker. They can take or leave booze. The hard drinker suffers consequences from their drinking, but ultimately is able to stop. The alcoholic though, pardon my French, but they’re f**ked. That is, they’re f**ked until they find a solution!
Maybe the solution to alcoholism is will power. Maybe alcoholics just don’t have enough will power. That makes sense, right? Nope. AA says, “ Our so called will power becomes practically nonexistent. We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink” (24).
Okay, that makes sense. It’s definitely true to my experience. So will power doesn’t work. What about embarrassing and painful memories? What’s that they always say in rehab? Play the tape through? Wait, so that won’t work either?! What if I go to a lot of therapy and counseling? Surely a better understanding of myself will work.
Nope. The chapter goes on to say, “Above all, he believed he had acquired such a profound knowledge of the inner workings of his mind and its hidden springs that relapse was unthinkable. Nevertheless, he was drunk in a short time” (26).
Okay, I’m screwed. I can’t use will power and I can’t use therapy. What can I use to get better?
The answer’s simple. Remember when I talked about RECOVERING a little while ago? Well, according to AA, “ There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others” (25).
The process they’re talking about is the twelve-steps. Through working the steps (all of the steps, in the correct order, under the guidance of a sponsor!!), we recover. Simple as that.
by Sally Rosa | Jul 30, 2014 | Addiction Articles, Recovery
Written By: Fiona Stockard
Homelessness and Addiction: Is There a Common Thread?
Often, the homeless population is viewed as being comprised of alcoholics and addicts. While this assumption is often true (about 38% of homeless people were dependent on alcohol and 26% abused other drugs[1]), other stigmas sometimes make for a skewed view of the homeless. For example, when alcoholism and addiction is viewed as a moral choice, all subsequent consequences are viewed as that person’s fault. This scapegoating allows the public to view homelessness and addiction as the person’s own fault. However, this view is pretty simplistic. Conditions leading into poverty are often complex and escaping poverty can be a huge challenge.
Listen to this formally homeless mans amazing speech
Homeless Addicts Didn’t Choose This Life
Substance abuse is often the cause of people becoming homeless addicts. Alcoholism and addiction can be a cause for someone to lose their job. For someone who’s living pay-check to pay-check, the loss of a job quickly leads to the loss of their housing as well. In 2008, a survey by the United States Conference of Mayors asked twenty-five cities for the top causes of homelessness. Substance abuse was the largest cause of homelessness for single adults (reported by 68% of cities). It was also mentioned by 12% of cities as one of the top three causes of homelessness in families. Approximately two-thirds of homeless people report that drugs and/or alcohol were a major reason for their becoming homeless[2].
Read the compelling story of a homeless man getting a home
Homelessness and Drug Use or Drug Use and Homelessness?
In many situations, substance abuse is a result of homelessness rather than its cause. People who’re homeless often turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their situations[3]. Alcohol and other substances are used as a temporary relief to their problems. As with all relief provided by drugs, the abuse usually worsens the problem. In this situation, drug and alcohol use makes it more difficult to achieve stable employment, and thus, stable housing. Self-fulfilling prophecies may occur as well. This is when a young person, growing up in poverty, turns to drugs and alcohol to cope with their undignified living situation. In turn, using drugs and alcohol limit their chances to overcome poverty. In this way, they might become homeless addicts themselves.
Mental Illnesses Contribute Greatly
For many stuck in the downward spiral of homelessness and addiction, substance abuse co-occurs with other mental illnesses. People with untreated mental illness often turn to street drugs as a form of self-medication. Mental illness is one more obstacle to recovery, especially when left untreated. Mental illness often leads to a perpetual cycle from the streets, to jails, and psychiatric institutions.
It can be especially hard for homeless people to recover from addiction as their motivation to stop using may be inadequate. For many homeless, things like finding food and shelter are seen as a priority over drug abuse treatment or counseling[4]. Finally, many homeless have become estranged from their families and friends. They have no social-support network, an essential for recovery.
The Cause and Effect
As substance abuse is both a cause and result of homelessness, both issues need to be addressed simultaneously. In order for a homeless person to recover from addiction it’s important to give them support services once their treatment has been completed. In fact, stable housing during and after drug treatment decreases the risk of relapse[5]. Additionally, when providing a housing community for those who’re homeless, it’s essential that one of the services provided be a substance abuse service. Otherwise, achieving goals like steady employment and housing may be impossible.
[1] National Coalition for the Homeless. ‘Substance Abuse and Homelessness’. July 2009. Web.
[2] National Coalition for the Homeless. ‘Substance Abuse and Homelessness’. July 2009. Web.
[3] National Coalition for the Homeless. ‘Substance Abuse and Homelessness’. July 2009. Web.
[4] National Coalition for the Homeless. ‘Substance Abuse and Homelessness’. July 2009. Web.
[5] National Coalition for the Homeless. ‘Substance Abuse and Homelessness’. July 2009. Web.
by Sally Rosa | Jul 16, 2014 | Addiction Articles, Benefits of Sobriety
Living Life on Life’s Terms Isn’t Always Easy
I Was An Addict Before I Started Using Drugs
My mother claims that, even when I was younger, I needed outside stimulation. Living life in a normal way just wasn’t doing it for me. I wasn’t allowed to watch TV at home, but when I went to friends’ houses I watched a lot! I remember my best friend complaining that I wasn’t fun to be around because all I’d do was watch TV. She used to say things to me and I was so entranced I wouldn’t hear her.
To me, this is an early example of my difficulties with living life on life’s term. It’s an early example of my alcoholic tendencies. Guess what? Drugs had the same effect on me as TV. The world suddenly wasn’t so boring. I wasn’t interested in living life for what it was. I found ways to escape, first as a young girl with TV, and later as a teenager with drugs and alcohol.
Read about how you can live your dreams!
An Escape from Life on Life’s Terms
Drugs took me away from the world I lived in. In the beginning they made life more exciting. With them came a ton of new experiences and people. Many of the drugs I tried made the world change. I thought they were giving me a new perspective.
What I was unaware of was that they also shortened my perspective. The group of people I hung out with became smaller and more selfish. We stopped talking about the world. Instead, we spoke about the made up experiences in our minds that we found while high. Drugs became our sole topic of conversation. It was this kind of thinking that landed me in rehab.
Understanding the Concept of Life on Life’s Terms
Another part of the thinking that lead me into rehab was how I’d always feel like there was something I was missing out on. I’d always feel like there was something more than living life at the moment. I didn’t understand the concept of life on life’s terms. I had distorted beliefs about what I deserved and what my life should look like. It was like I was always waiting for something to happen. The problem with this way of living is that life was happening and I let it pass me by. By not accepting life for what it was, I was choosing to ignore it. By making the decision that life was boring as it was, and only drugs could enhance it, I was missing the actual opportunities that life provides.
Read this amazing story about one women’s journey to sobriety
Living Life in Recovery
Humans are hardwired to endure. Our bodies have survival responses programed into them. For thousands of years, we produced adrenaline so we’d avoid death in dangerous situations. Today, we don’t use these instincts as often as we used to. Addicts and alcoholics sometimes create situations to stimulate these senses. We create challenges in a world where we may not need to. When we stop creating fake realities to stimulate our senses, or fake problems to make our lives more interesting, the world can reveal what it really is. I’m constantly amazed by what I can do when I let life be, now that I’m living life in recovery.
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.
