The Solution News

The Solution N ews Since 1991

February-April 2013

Recovery

Happy, Joyous and Always Free!!

Growth

Renewal

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Lifestyles College of Development 1705 S. Federal Hwy Suite A5 Delray Beach, Fl 33483 Lifestyles College of Development's mission is to provide you with the educational tools to develop hope, inspiration, and courage to find your passion and reach your goals with SKILLS FOR LIFE. We are here to teach you the "How To," not the "Why Not." Traditionally you learn WHY NOT to have certain behaviors. We will educate you on HOW TO change certain behaviors as you develop your lifestyle with pride. The common struggle is knowing what to do, but not knowing HOW TO do it. At Lifestyles College of Development, you will participate in an active learning model that teaches you HOW TO be successful by using the same techniques that taught you complicated tasks such as riding a bike and driving. Just as these skills are now second nature to you, so will become the skills for life. As alumni of Lifestyles College of Development, you will be equipped with the skills to begin the life that you have always wanted. Why wait? Become who you really are and start your life TODAY. Lifestyles College of Development is a Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) Florida state licensed facility in partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient (OP) treatment. We serve the housewife, the business professional, the student, the employee, the employer, those transitioning from inpatient facilities, and those who would like to develop a healthy lifestyle but do not meet medical necessity for inpatient treatment.

561.450.6320 or call us Toll Free 1-855-SKILLS 4 LIFE lifestylescollegeofdevelopment.com

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The Solution News Contents Page 4 - Dave’s Page

Page 19 - Ideas For Your Consideration

Page 5 - Wayside House

Page 20 - Sober Cruises

Page 6 - Cell Phone Addiction

Page 21 - Ask Bill Wilson

Page 7 - AA Benefits By Gender

Page 22 - Medical Equipment Exchange

Page 8 - Hotlines & Helplines

Page 24 - Lincoln on Alcoholism

Page 9 - Watershed Page

Page 25 - Mel B: Perfectionism

Page 10 - Events

Page 26 - The Hill

Page 11 - Depression Busters

Page 27 - Rule 62

Page 12 - Teen Drug Abuse

Page 28 - Letter to Alcohol

Page 13 - Rebecca B.

Page 29 - Daffynissions

Page 14 - Here Comes The Sun

Page 30 - AA Acronyms

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Dave’s Page

Political Polit Correctness, God, Singleness Of Purpose

Pm

We are so afraid to hurt people’s feelings these days; its as if we think that something we say can make an alcoholic pick up a drink. We don’t have that power. If we water down the truth as we were taught it we are allowing our program to become dominated by “human power” and no human power can relieve our alcoholism. We must continue to stress the importance of finding and developing a relationship with God.

“We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness.

Paradoxically it is the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage. All men of faith have courage. They trust their God. We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do.” So says our Big Book on page 68. My experience in AA has been based on the fact that “No human power could relieve my alcoholism, that God could and would if he were sought and that I should attempt to find him NOW”.

There is a major movement afoot in our fellowship to remove God from our program. Some groups refuse to say the Lord’s Prayer and many people frequently speak of God as a light bulb or door knob. It has become not politically correct to talk of God at meetings. We are often sidetracked and distracted by group therapy meetings, psycho-babble and new age language as well as slogans and expressions brought in from other twelve step fellowships.

program as universal and one that anyone with any addiction is welcome. They feel that AA is in fact self-help and group therapy and they would insist that anything is appropriate at our meetings. They believe AA is open to anyone and that anything can be shared and that we should never hurt anyone’s feelings.

The true program lies somewhere between these two extremes. It is the responsibility of all of us who wish the program to be there for future generations to teach the program as it was taught to us. I truly believe that the spirit of our program is to be inclusive and not exclusive. An early group tried to be exclusive and came up with sixty-one rules until someone suggested that rule sixty-two should be “Don’t take yourself so damn seriously.” I think that this idea of AA being inclusive was to be inclusive of alcoholics.

Likewise, it is important that those of us with time in the program continue to teach it the way we were taught it, from the Big Book, the Twelve and Twelve and meetings that always were faithful to our singleness of purpose. We can do this by not opening meetings with the suggestion that we talk about the suggested AA related topic “or anything else”. “Or anything else” often turns into group therapy. Since AA meetings do not have pschotherapists facilitating them and do not cost 75 to 100 dollars an hour, at a dollar an hour attendees are getting So the challenge then becomes how to keep the “cheap therapy” and as is often said “you get integrity of our program intact without resorting what you pay for.” to the extremist views on either side of this dilemma. I think that the answer lies in the often Since we are all good alcoholics we often see quoted response of Bill Wilson to one of the things as black and white and many would break many challenging issues he was forced to deal down AA as either “old school” or “new with in the early days of the program. His school”. I often hear old timers get angry and as answer was “What would the Master do?” result they are aggressive in their frustration.

They thump the Big Book and start special The Master was the Great Teacher. We can be meetings; some even organize Big Book Study great teachers also and in teaching the AA proGroups with rules and leaders that are not sanc- gram with love and compassion and kindness tioned by our program. Often referred to as “AA we can maintain its integrity. We must never Nazi’s” these folks do more to alienate, frustrate apologize for the truth and we must never hold and confuse the newcomer than to teach them back the truth from the sick and suffering alcoour program. holics who come to us for the solution to their alcohol problem. Let us teach it, with courage, On the other side are those who would see our as it was written.

Due to a generous donation from an anonymous donor in memory of David DeOreo and James Lehman who taught us the meaning of helping others, The Solution N ews will devote two pages of this issue to notfor-profit agencies to present their programs and needs to our readers.

The real winners in this gift will be our readers who will have an opportunity to get outside of themselves and perform a kind and generous selfless act of donating money or time to worthy causes.

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Wayside House Expands Facility and Services To Better Serve Women in the Delray Community For nearly forty years, Wayside House has helped countless women in our community regain and sustain their sobriety. As a leading center for substance abuse treatment, this non-profit 501 (C) (3) provides residential, extended residential, and outpatient programs that foster sustained sobriety for our guests. Our clinicians are experts in the field of substance abuse and co-occurring conditions. With emphasis on how addiction specifically affects women, the Wayside House program strives to prevent relapse, promote character development and ultimately, reunify families.

In furthering our goal of helping women, we are pleased to announce that we are expanding our facilities, advancing our programs, and preparing for the future. Wayside House, located at 378 N.E. Sixth Avenue in Delray, completed construction of a new residential wing at the start of this year. We have opened eight additional residential beds, and the new wing features a modern laundry facility, common area, updated bathroom facilities, and expanded clinical offices.

Director of Clinical Services, Dana Polan, has been with Wayside House for over six years and is excited about the new changes. "In addition to our new residential facility, we are working hard to strategically realign or program offerings and enhance the overall leadership at the organization," says Polan. "Not only is the organization getting a fresh new look, but we are strengthening our foundation and processes, making things as efficient as possible so that we can continue to provide top-quality services for women in our community for years to come."

Based on the 12-step model, the Wayside

House program endorses the acquisition of coping strategies for addiction recovery and for the treatment of co-occurring conditions.

The clinical staff is headed by a board-certified psychiatrist, who serves as Medical Director. A full time registered nurse serves as Medical Manager, and ensures that the health and wellness needs of Wayside House clients are met. Working in tandem with the Medical Director, the nurse man-

WAYSIDE’S NEW WING ages medication and the scheduling of offpremises medical/dental appointments. A strong clinical team provides individual and group therapy, within a highly supportive and structured setting.

At Wayside House, each woman is given a chance for a new beginning and the opportunity to reclaim her sobriety, dignity and self-respect. It has always been Wayside House's goal to provide a loving and safe environment while helping women find the courage to change, grow, and to contribute to the community.

Wayside House was founded in 1974, by Dr. Susan B. Anthony, great niece of the women's rights advocate of the same name, and Phyllis Michelfelder. As women in recovery, these two pioneers recognized

the need for a safe and supportive haven for women who were grappling with alcohol and drug addiction. With the courage to make a difference in the lives of others, Anthony and Michelfelder rallied support from a group of dedicated women, many themselves in recovery, raised $1,000, and together they turned a dream into a reality by purchasing a white frame cottage in Delray Beach. The cottage became known as Wayside House. Guided by the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, Wayside House admitted its first residential client in 1975. The original site has become "home" to countless numbers of women who have struggled to reclaim their sobriety and their lives.

Today, almost 40 years later, Wayside House serves 34 residential and extended residential clients with a comprehensive clinical program that is responsive to the specific needs of women with addictions and co-occurring conditions, and their families.

While the original cottage remains at the heart of the Recovery Campus, Wayside House also serves a large number of outpatients from its current location in a renovated building adjacent to the residential facility. As part of its outpatient services program, Wayside House clinicians conduct individual assessments of any woman, age 18 and older, in the community with an addiction history and who is at the time of the assessment sober but in need of help in sustaining sobriety.

To learn more about Wayside House, or to support the organization through a charitable donation, please visit us online at:

www.WaysideHouse.net.

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Cell Phone Dependence:

“just as real as substance addiction�

Cell phone and instant messaging addictions are similar to compulsive buying or substance addiction and are driven by materialism and impulsiveness, says a Baylor University study in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions.

The data emerged from a self-report survey of 191 college undergraduates to measure materialism, impulsiveness, and mobile phone and instant messaging addiction (MPA and IMA). In the study, impulsivity was shown to increase both MPA and IMA to a similar degree; however, materialism had an even larger effect on the two factors.

IM account) for missed calls or messages," "I feel lost without my mobile phone (IM)," "I find it hard to control my mobile phone (IM) use."

Responses were recorded on a 7-point Likert scale, with a higher score reflecting a higher level of dependency.

Previous research has shown that young adults are profligate mobile phone users, sending on average 109.5 texts and checking their phones around 60 times in a typical day. However, this Impulsiveness was measured using Puri's 12- disproportionate use is not simply a youthful item scale and respondents were asked how well fad, as a body of evidence has shown that the psychologic compulsion behind this excess is very similar to drug addictions.

Study co-author James Roberts (Baylor Hankamer School of Business, Texas, USA) explained in a press statement: "Cell phones are used as part of the conspicuous consumption ritual and also act as a pacifier for the impulsive tendencies of the user."

Roberts and co-author Stephen Pirog (Seton Hall University, New Jersey, USA) claim that this is the first study to investigate the role materialism plays in cell phone addiction. They note that materialism, or the over-emphasis on worldly possessions, is a fundamental factor behind consumer behavior, including cell phone use.

important to me," and "like to own nice things more than most people."

certain adjectives (impulsive, careless, extravagant, easily tempted, and enjoy spending) described them. Materialism was measured using Mowen's 4-item scale, asking the students to rate how well the following phrases applied to them: "enjoy buying nice things," "enjoy owing The survey posed statements such as "the first luxurious things," "acquiring valuable things is thing I do each morning is check my mobile (or

In the press statement and accompanying interview, Roberts explains that technologic addictions (a subset of behavioral addictions) are no different from substance addictions in that users get some kind of reward from cell phone use, resulting in pleasure.

He adds: "Cell phones are a part of our consumer culture, as both a tool and status symbol. They're also eroding our personal relationships. A majority of young people claim that losing their cell phone would be disastrous to their social lives."

The authors conclude that, owing to the multiple functions performed by cell phones, researchers should "dig beneath" the technology per se and examine the activities or "apps" that are driving dependency.

http://www.news-medical.net

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AA Helps Men and Women Maintain Sobriety in Different Ways A new study finds differences in the ways that participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) helps men and women maintain sobriety. Two Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators found that, while many factors are helpful to all AA participants, some were stronger in men and some in women. For example, avoidance of companions who encourage drinking and social situations in which drinking is common had more powerful benefits for men, while increased confidence in the ability to avoid drinking while feeling sad, depressed or anxious appeared to be more important for women. Their report will appear in Drug and Alcohol Dependence and has been released online.

ability to abstain during times when they were sad or depressed. "It is striking that this effect was virtually absent in men while it was a major contributor to women's ability to remain abstinent and to limit the number of drinks they consumed when they did drink," says Hoeppner. Several factors that helped to reduce the intensity of drinking in men - such as less depression and fewer friends who encouraged drinking - did not appear to be as important for helping women.

Kelly says,"AA helps both men and women stay sober following treatment by enhancing sober social networks and boosting confidence in coping "Men and women benefit equally from participation in with high-risk social situations. In AA, but some of the ways in which they benefit differ terms of alcoholism recovery more in nature and in magnitude," says John F. Kelly, PhD, generally, we found the ability to hanassociate director of the MGH Center for Addiction dle negative moods and emotions was Medicine. "These differences may reflect differing important for women but not for men. recovery challenges related to gender-based social Conversely, coping with high-risk roles and the contexts in which drinking is likely to social situations - which could be occur." attending sports or other events where people are likely to drink - was imporKelly and his co-author Bettina B. Hoeppner, PhD, tant for men but not women. These difnote that, while AA was founded by men, one-third of ferences suggests that, for women, its members today are women. Studies have found that finding alternative ways to cope with women benefit at least as much as men from participanegative emotions may yield recovery tion, and many women become deeply involved in the benefits, while among men, a greater AA program. The researchers carried out some of the focus on coping with social occasions first studies identifying the behavioral changes behind the success of AA that feature drinking may enhance recovery. participation, and this report is the first to examine whether the benefits differ between men and women.

"In terms of drinking intensity - the number of drinks consumed on days when someone does drink - because the variables we studied explained Kelly and Hoeppner analyzed data from more than 1,700 participants, 24 only about half of the effects of AA for women, there must be other facpercent of whom were women, enrolled in a federally funded trial called tors involved that were not captured in our analysis," he adds. "More work Project MATCH that compared three approaches to alcohol addiction is required to fully capture the biopsychosocial effects of AA participation treatment. Participants in the trial were free to attend AA meetings along for enhancing alcohol addiction recovery, particularly among women." with the specific treatment program to which they were assigned. At several follow-up sessions, participants reported their success in maintaining Source: Massachusetts General Hospital sobriety, whether or not they were attending AA meetings, and completed specialized assessments of factors like their confidence in their ability to stay sober in particular situations and whether or not their social contacts supported or discouraged efforts to maintain abstinence.

Two Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators found that, while many factors are helpful to all AA participants, some were stronger in men and some in women.

In September 2011, Kelly, Hoeppner and colleagues reported in the journal Addiction that increased confidence in the ability to maintain abstinence in social situations and spending more time with people who supported abstinence were the behavioral changes most strongly associated with successful recovery among overall Project MATCH participants attending AA meetings. The current study reanalyzed some of the data used in the Addiction study to see if there were differences between men and women in the impact of factors included in the assessments.

For both men and women, participation in AA increased confidence in the ability to cope with high-risk drinking situations and increased the number of social contacts who supported recovery efforts. But the effect of both of those changes on the ability to abstain from drinking was about twice as strong for men as for women. In contrast, women benefitted much more than men from improved confidence in their

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Hotlines and Helplines AA BROWARD COUNTY

954-462-0265

FLORIDA INJURY HELPLINE

800-510-5553

AA FLORIDA KEYS

305-296-8654

FLORIDA INTERGROUP AA

407-276-4581

AA HOTLINE, North Palm Beach

561-655-5700

AA HOTLINE, South Palm Beach

561-276-4581

AA HOTLINE Broward

954-462-0265

AA MIAMI DADE

305-371-7784

ABUSE REGISTRY

800-962-2873

ADD PARENTS SUPPORT

954-473-8644

AL A N O N HOTLINE, Palm Beach

FOOD ADDICTS IN RECOVERY

1-866-325-0500

FLORIDA PET GREIF SUPPORT

352-392-4700

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS

800-891-1740

HEPATITIS-B HOTLINE

800-891-0707

HEPATITIS HOTLINE

800-545-2437

HIV/AIDS HOTLINE

800-352-2437

561-278-3481

HOSPICE

954-467-7423

AL A N O N HOTLINE, Broward

954-491-1915

HOSPICE/HOMECARE BY THE SEA

800-3923189

AL-ANON/AL-AT E E N

8884ALANON

JEWISH FAMILY& CHILD SERV

561-684-8443

ALIEN ABDUCTION SUPPORT GROUP

954-698-6926

LAWYER ASSISTA N C E

800-282-8981

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIAT I O N

954-726-0002

RECOVERY, INC

561-642-1722

LUPUS FOUNDAT I O N OF S. FLORIDA

561-279-8606

ALZHEIMER’S COMMUNITY CARE

561-278-6649

MARIJUANA A N O N .

800-766-6779

AT RISK YOUTH PROGRAM

727-726-8829

BIG BROTHERS & SISTERS

561-966-4120

MIAMI HELPLINES

305-358-4357

CAPITOL CITY YOUTH SERVICES

850-576-6000

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOUNDAT I O N

800-441-7055

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORLANDO

407-658-1818

NTNL. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE

800-799-SAFE

CDC N ATIONAL AIDS HOTLINE

800-342-2437

NAR-ANON, Broward

954-584-6578

CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE

800-4ACHILD

NARC-ANON

888-947-8885

COCAINE ANONYMOUS

954-779-7272

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Palm Beach

561-848-6262

CODEPENDENTS ABNONYMOUS

800-254-1333

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS, Broward

954-476-9297

CONSUMER HOTLINE

800-848-3792

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS gold coast

954-476-9297

COSA (co-dependents of sex addicts)

763-537-6904

N AT. CTR. ELDERLY ABUSE

800-96-ABUSE

COUNCIL O N COMPULSIVE GAMBLING

800-426-7711 N ATIONAL R U N AWAYSWITCHBOARD

800-RUNAWAY

N ATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE

800-SUICIDE

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

954-746-2055

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS, Palm Beach

800-273-1696

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS, Broward

954-476-9297

N ATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE

1-800-273-TALK

CRIMESTOPPERS

800-458-TIPS

CRIME LINE

800-423TIPS

DASH (Divorced and Separated Help)

561-451-2312

DEBTOR’S ANONYMOUS

954.925.4068

DEPRESSION & BIPOLAR SUPPORT

813-878-2906

DEPRESSION A N D MANIC DEPRESSION

954-746-2055

DEPRESSION - OVER 55

954-746-2055

FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM

305-292-8445

PALM BEACH COUNTY VICTIM SERVICES RAPE, CRISIS, VIOLENT CRIME HOTLINE 1-866-891-7273

FLA. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE

800-500-1119

DARKNESS TO LIGHT

1-866-FOR-LIGHT

FLORIDA BAR LAWYER’S REFERRAL

800-342-8011

N ATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE

1-800-656-HOPE

FLORIDA HIV/AIDS HOTLINE

800-FLA-AIDS

ALZHEIMERS CARE 24 HR CRISIS LINE

1-800-394-1771

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Therapists RN S &LPN S Admissions Department We are looking for Florida licensed LPNS and RNS who are friendly & compassionate and able to work with alcoholics and addicts. The hours are a mix of evenings and nights with weekend work involved. We are also looking for an RN to supervise the clinical aspects of the department and work as an integral part of an allied health professional’s team.

Admissions Coordinator The Admissions Coordinator is responsible for developing, managing and implementing systems, particularly inquiry/intake calls, patient screenings, admissions and contacts with utilization reviewers and case managers. He/she is also responsible for working with the admissions and facility staff to assure exceptional patient and community satisfaction, and in developing and achieving community education and awareness goals.

Specific Job Duties Include: Answers inquiry calls efficiently and courteously.Answers any questions callers may have that are of a non-clinical nature; appropriately transfer calls if clinical issues arise. Appropriately completes inquiry call forms.Coordinates and schedules prospective patient screenings.Coordinates and processes all admissions to the facility.Responsible for obtaining demographic and financial information during inquiry calls.Forwards financial coverage information to billing unit; verifying insurance information as necessary. Maintains the Inquiry Call Disposition Log and follows up accordingly. Responsible for mailing program literature when requested.Works collaboratively with the Admissions Office Clinical Supervisor and Admissions Office Manager, providing update information; re: inquiry calls throughout the month.Ensures the clinical and financial screening criteria have been met prior to admission.Obtains necessary consents, identifications and financial documents needed to admit patient into the program." Able to recognize and assist in crisis situations and provide interventions based on training and experience. Provides community awareness education and in services on behalf of facility as assigned Requirements: Minimum of 1 to 3 years experience in healthcare, preferably in mental health.

Exceptional customer service skills.

Available Shifts: 4:00pm-12am

Are you looking for a place where the concept of "team" has deeper meaning?

We are looking for caring, insightful therapists who are committed to the highest quality care for our patients and who have the desire to support those who are struggling with addiction. Our facilities offer our patients comfortable and safe surroundings to begin their journey of recovery. The Watershed is Joint Commission accredited and fully licensed by the State of Florida. Our therapists provide individual and group counseling to patients in our inpatient treatment program. The therapist is able to develop a relationship with the patient that begins in detox and lasts throughout the entire length of stay. The therapist functions within the limits of their licensure, registration and/or certification.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Masters Degree in a health-related discipline; licensed and/or accredited applicants preferred.

Experience with chemical dependency and/or dual diagnosis programs preferred. The Watershed welcomes recovering individuals to apply! Recovering individuals must have a minimum of 1 full year of abstinence from drugs/alcohol to eligible for employment.

Behavioral Health Techs Are you a caring, compassionate individual? Are you able to provide supervision and support for others in a thoughtful, respectful manner? If you have these qualities we encourage you to apply for a position as a Behavioral Health Technician, (BHT). Our BHT's are directly involved in providing quality care for patients as part of the overall team and are responsible for conducting meetings and providing structure for our patients during their treatment experience.

As a BHT you are the front line staff member, having frequent interactions with the patients throughout their stay. As a result you are in a position to have a positive impact on the patient's view toward recovery. The average day for a BHT involves a variety of activities; there isn't a lot of time spent in one place since our patient's care is conducted in different areas of the facility. The BHT should have a clear sense of personal boundaries and be able to enforce clearly established guidelines. People with their own personal recovery experience are encouraged to apply! Must have a minimum of 12 months of sobriety.

Call-Back Representatives We are currently seeking hard working, customer service oriented individuals with excellent communication skills to become members of our team. The CallBack Representatives will work collaboratively with the Admissions Coordinators in order to admit new patients into our treatment facilities. This position involves making follow-up calls to individuals who have previously called The Watershed seeking treatment but were never admitted into our facility. Our goal is to reach out to those who may have avoided treatment in the past and assist them with their struggles of addiction, by offering our treatment services. This position is full-time with some weekends involved & located in our Delray Beach, corporate building.A year or more of 12-step recovery experience is very beneficial to anyone working in this position. Prior call-center and/or healthcare experience are a plus!

The Watershed is a Drug Free Workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, please visit: www.thewatershed.com. To apply, please go to www.thewatershed.jobs.

ATTENTION ALL WATERSHED ALUMNI!!!

OUR A N N U A L ALUMNI PICNIC WILL BE HELD SATURDAY APRIL 27TH AT JOHN PRINCE PARK IN LAKEWORTH, FL (For more information call: Rebecca Balko - contact info below!)

Are you a graduate of The Watershed Treatment Programs? Do you have an interest in having personal growth in your recovery? Would you like to be able to help others, even as you were helped? If the answer to any or all of these questions is "YES", then we want to hear from YOU! The Watershed has a unique one of a kind ALUMNI PROGRAM that is quite literally filled with events, activities & services just for YOU!! It is a place to find support, fellowship and numerous ways to reach out and help others. We currently have over 7,900 registered alumni members around the country and we want YOU to be a part of this community! We also have an Alumni Family Outreach Program for YOUR family members to offer them the same connection and support with each other that now in excess of 8,000 members nation wide!!!

We hope that whether you are an alumnus or a family member of an alumnus, that you will join our social web site called Lives in Recovery. To register just go to www.livesinrecovery.com today! On this site, you will find support, friendship, resources and local meetings. You will have access to our Alumni or Family Magazines, the monthly Alumni or Family Newsletter, the Life Saver's Club Newsletter, and SO MUCH MORE! PLUS you will have access to the most up to date information on upcoming events and activities! (Like our 2013 Annual Alumni Picnic at John Prince Park in Lakeworth, FL on Saturday April 27th - contact Rebecca for more info!)

We hope that you will get involved with Alumni if you aren't already! (YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED!!) We have the Alumni Speaker Meetings EVERY SATURDAY from 10:30am to 12 noon at BOTH the BOCA and BOYNTON facilities. If you are a new alumnus with less than 90 days in recovery, we have special support meetings just for you and we WANT YOU TO COME! It is called the ALUMNI SUPPORT meeting and is held at THE WATERSHED'S TWR APARTMENTS in Lake Worth, FL on THURSDAY nights 5:30 to 6:45pm &/or on Friday's from 4 - 5:15pm. You will gain important information related to your early recovery, you will then be able to attend the Sat. Speaker Meetings if desired AND upon reaching 90 days, you will receive your MEDALLION on Anniversary Saturday the last Saturday of the month! (If YOU feel that YOUR life was helped by your Watershed Experience, we REALLY want to hear from you through a testimonial. You can e-mail it or contact Rebecca to discuss doing a video or writing your whole story!) You can reach Rebecca Balko (Alumni Program Manager) at 561-860-8045 or e-mail Rbalko@thewatershed.com .

10

Events

August 1-5 56th Florida State Convention “Always Be There” Location: Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort Palm Harbor.

Phone: 727-942-2000

April 20-22 Spring Into Sobriety Women’s Conference

Task Force Meetings

Location: The Helmsley Sandcastle Resort Lido Key, (convention room rates available) Sarasota Speakers, workshop, marathon Room Rates: $109 meetings, and a full Al-Anon family groups program!

Visit website for more info: http://www.56.flstateconven-

tion.com.

Palm Beach County Substance Awareness Coalition

(mention SIS conference rates)

Registration: $25 For more info: http://www.sisconference.com

9:00 am Monday, February 18, 2013 Emerging Issues Task Force Meeting 10:00 am Wednesday, February 20, 2013 -Prescription Drug Task Force Meeting 10:00 am Thursday, February 21, 2013 Underage Drinking Task Force Meeting PBCSAC 2300 High Ridge Rd Suite 365 Boynton Beach | FL | 33426

Fri, February 22, 7pm - Sat, February 23, 12am A Night With the Rat Pack At The Colony Hotel

Where: The Colony Hotel - 155 Hammon Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480 Description: The songs, the laughs, the interaction and pure fun of a magical time, in one powerful show of nonstop music and comedy.

Limited Seating! Get your tickets today at www.NightWithTheRatPack.com OR Call 561-844-5952 now!

To Support the Palm Beach County Substance Awareness Coalition for a Happy, Healthy, Drug Free Community.

11

Depression Busters Self Discovery and Tips For Beating the Blues Each of us is likely to face a variety of trying circumstances throughout life. Today's perilous economic crisis adds to the personal and professional stress each of us endure. In the face of adversity, some succumb to the mind-numbing effects of alcohol or drugs, excess eating, and other detrimental indulgences; some become lethargic, forget to exercise, and neglect other uplifting behaviors. It is important to realize that all those behaviors contribute mightily to depression.

Depression can make you forget to do all the activities that you enjoy. One of the ways to reverse depression is to make yourself have some fun every day. If you enjoy painting, gardening, dancing, telling jokes, or any other activity that is easy for you to resume, be sure to do the things you love so that your life becomes pleasurable again.

Ask Yourself: "What can I do, right now, to feel better?"

Eating the correct portions of healthy food, Ask Yourself: "Am I accidentally fueling my drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularown depression?" ly are all actions that will powerfully go to work When you are tired or feeling overwhelmed by to heal you emotionally, physically, and spiritulife, do you forget to do the things that help you ally. No matter what your age, budget, or life to thrive? circumstances, you can take action to overcome depression and to improve the quality of your For many, life's stressors can distort your think- life right now. ing, making it seem too hard to take positive action. A vicious cycle occurs anytime life's No matter how old or young you are, eating pressures emotionally paralyze you and when healthy is likely to cost less and taste better than depression leads you down the path of least eating excessively or eating junky food. When resistance. you cook and eat the ideal portions of nutritious food, you will feel more energized in a matter of Ask Yourself: "What am I doing to manage my days, and any depression you are experiencing stress and to thrive?" will start to fade away.

Helpful Truths Ask Yourself: "Is my diet helping me or hurting During trying times, it is important to remember me?" that neglecting exercise, overeating, drinking alcohol, drug abuse, smoking, or surrendering to There are many important reasons for engaging depression has never helped anyone to over- in regular, healing, and strengthening exercise. come any problem. The more trying or difficult No matter what your physical condition, schedthe circumstances of your life become, the more ule, or budget, you can take action now to important it is that you take time to de-stress become stronger, happier, and healthier. Even yourself so that you can think clearly and act in taking a twenty minute walk a few times a week line with your own best interest. will release stress, improve your state of mind, enhance your energy level, and foster your Acting in Line with Your Own Best Interest health.

Instead of falling prey to excess eating, alcohol, illicit drugs, and lethargic behavior, you can place yourself on a course of action that will strengthen and empower you. As you take positive action, you will realize that it is easier to stand up to whatever problems you face than it is to surrender to them. As you take the actions needed to thrive, you will find that you possess an endless well of inner strength.

Ask Yourself, "How can I easily, conveniently, and affordably get more exercise beginning now?"

Since adopting a positive attitude will strengthen your resolve to stay on track, you will find that meditation, prayer, and hypnosis all work wonders in helping you to adopt and maintain a positive, goal-directed mindset. You can easily Ask Yourself: "Have I been taking time to have put self-hypnosis and affirmations to work that will be highly motivational and keep you on fun and to enjoy life?" track toward creating your happiest, healthiest, The good news is that there are many things you most fit self. can immediately do that will make you feel better, look better, and become healthier. There are Many find that meditation and prayer simultanemany actions you can take to that will place you ously serve like food for their spirits and exeron the road to success. cise for their minds. The great news is that you

can put the power of meditation, prayer, affirmations, and self-hypnosis to work for you--for free--as often as you wish.

Ask Yourself, "Have I been feeding and exercising my mind and spirit?"

Through self-hypnosis and affirmations you enlist your subconscious mind to help you to feel better, to look better, and to create and maintain your dream body. Hypnosis helps you to productively modify your behavior and to take action to succeed. Hypnosis helps you to release mental and physical stress, enabling you to feel better and to think clearly. When you are thinking clearly you make much better decisions in all areas of your life.

Ask Yourself: "What am I doing to improve my levels of health, happiness, and success?"

Regular, meaningful exercise, combined with drinking plenty of water and eating the ideal portions of nutritious food, all go to work to lift you out of depression and to reverse your aging process. The regular use of hypnosis, self-hypnosis, affirmations, meditation, creative visualization, and/or prayer will all strengthen you emotionally and spiritually. You will actually look and feel younger after just a few weeks spent enacting the simple changes outlined in this article.

There is much you can do to feel better that is both free of charge and uplifting. It is just a matter of loving yourself enough to start doing the things that will truly serve you. The great news is that with each positive change you make, you will feel the difference and want to keep taking more positive steps to reclaim your happiness and vitality.

Let your changes begin with your own acknowledgment that you are worth your own effort. Let self-love be a kind of food that you feed yourself every day. Make a point to get back in touch with the beauty in nature. Treat yourself with loving kindness and become your own miracle.

Copyright Š 2010 Julie Griffin Acclaimed author of many powerful, effective hypnosis audio programs and hypnosis scripts, Julie Griffin, BCH, is a certified international instructor of clinical and medical hypnosis and has lectured at Massachusetts General Hospital, Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, and Malden Hospital.

Article Source http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Griffin http://EzineArticles.com/3996349

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Teen Drug Abuse: Some Important Facts Just about any addiction can develop from a plain bad habit. "Just" drinking or smoking can worsen into far negative scenarios. What may begin as a liking for nicotine and alcohol may turn into a more serious and far reaching habits such as that of abusing substances like cocaine, heroin, meth and many more. These bad habits can just as easily turn into drug abuse.

vant to tell the difference. Other observable -Convulsions signs of teen drug abuse include on and off -feelings or angst and/or depression coughing, reddened eyes and shift in sleeping as -paranoia well as eating patterns.

-memory loss and cognitive function problems Teens who lack social skills and who have a (slow learning) family history of drug addiction are more sus- -lethargy ceptible to the destructive behavior. Teens can -daily coughing accompanied by phlegm

Drug addiction preys on anyone including teenagers. Teenage drug addiction has never been prevalent than it is at present.

However, what really constitutes teen drug abuse? Can any signs pinpoint such habit or behavior? Are there any effects or consequences?

Teen drug abuse is wide spread and is continuous spreading. There are very destructive consequences connected to this act both in the short and long run. Individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 exhibit high mortality rate which are largely connected to alcohol and drug abuse. Substance abuse can likewise result in unsolicited and vicious actions such as committing rape or murder, harassing or assaulting another person or committing theft or robbery.

-clenching or gnashing of teeth -dehydration and even death due to overdose

easily be swayed into experimenting with drugs and can easily develop a drug-seeking behavior.

These teens need to be helped by engaging them in more productive activities such as sports.

They should likewise be given an avenue to express their creativity such as in the field of arts and music. This should be done in order for teens to be drawn away from drug abuse and its effects.

Teen drug abuse may have the following effects:

These effects of teen drug abuse can nonetheless be prevented or stopped from worsening. It all starts with the will to change. However, that is not enough. You need to seek help. In case you have a relative or acquaintance who has succumbed to teen drug abuse, it is best to get in touch with a drug rehab centre or facility. They offer special drug treatment programs for teens that can really help a teenager get back on track and recover.

It is never too late for victims of teen drug abuse to accept their addiction. A variety of solutions for the ultimate treatment of drug addiction is always available for you in our site as well as other helpful information to guide you through this kind of addiction.

Meanwhile, drug addiction may be used by some teens as a coping mechanism for certain feelings of angst or depression. They may view drug use as a form of escape from problems and Article Source pressures of everyday life. Bizarre or uncanny http: behavior such as running away from home, shy- -Irritation or extreme irritability //EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rocco_Stokes ing away for other family members and hanging out with bad company can be tell-tale signs of -insomnia, lack of sleep or disrupted sleeping http://EzineArticles.com/6407147 drug use or drug abuse. You need to be obser- patterns

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Rebecca B.

“God Won't Give You More Than You Can Bear"…or Will He? How many times have you heard this? For that matter, how many times have you said this phrase or some variation of it? It's one of those promises one might like to be reminded of when going through a particularly difficult time. It can be a comforting reminder or an assurance of sorts, that: (1) There is a God (2) That God is loving and (3) That God won't give me more to deal with than I can actually handle because He is loving. It's like receiving a positive affirmation when people say it to us, when we say it to ourselves or when we pass it on to someone else.

However, after literally decades of saying this myself, (more times than I could ever possibly count), I had a moment of clarity and realized that for pretty much my whole life I had missed out on a wonderful truth: That this package, wrapped so beautifully and neatly in the "God won't give you more than you can bear" sentiment … Actually shadowed, (concealed if you will), something far more wonderful than those mere words contained.

I mean think about it, "Do we REALLY not go through things that are more than we can bear?"…Looking at these words before me, I would have to disagree! What about the moment a person hears those dreaded words, "You have cancer"? What about parents who lose their child? Families who evacuate their homes to an approaching fire, hurricane or tornado and return to see all that they possessed…has been lost? What about the soldier who loses a limb, vision or hearing?; The child who is now separated from their parent ~ who lost their freedom the night they drove drunk and took a life? What about the older person who saved and invested their entire life, only to lose everything because of a swindling broker? The family that worked for 25 years making mortgage payments, only to lose their home to foreclosure because the job market tanked? The widow or widower who lost their best friend and now… faces life alone?

What about the addict/alcoholic going through the physical, mental and emotional turmoil of early sobriety, (consumed with regret over the wreckage of their past), seeing the pieces of what's left of their life and unable to imagine a future?

Is not each of these situations more than we can bear on our own strength? Could not any one of them bring about feelings of utter hopelessness?

God does not keep these experiences from us and life doesn't keep a tally, giving us a "get out of pain free" card, just because we've already had struggles and deserve a break - right? No, instead we, (all people), face these struggles

everyday - (ALL DAY) - all over the world.

Moments happen in our life that can cause us to feel that at any moment we will just explode into oblivion or collapse into insanity…and yet some how…some way…we get through it.

Now let me clarify one thing ~ I do NOT think and am NOT suggesting that I believe "God" creates and gives us these painful situations.

HOWEVER…I do believe that there are three contributing factors at play: (1) I live in an imperfect world and as long as I live here, there are going to be painful times (2) Sometimes "I" am the creator of my own pain (3) God allows me to go through difficulties in order to grow spiritually What do I mean by that? Well, I can only give my perspective, so here it goes: Would we appreciate a job that never presented us any challenges? Would we remain in a relationship where the other person simply agreed with everything we said, never contributing any of their own thoughts or feelings? What about a relationship where you never went through anything "together" because everything was just "perfect" all the time? Would we truly be as grateful, appreciative and/or value as much, in our hearts a home, car and/or possessions that we contributed nothing towards?

To all of these questions and more, I would say the answer is a resounding "NO". My experience personally and in working and sharing with people, (both in and outside of addiction recovery), is that: people who simply receive and never have to contribute towards something; people who have, but never have to fight or sacrifice for the things that matter to them; people who are never challenged, whether that be to grow in the work place or in their personal relationships generally end up with two outcomes: (1) That individual does not have long lasting contentment and (2) Whatever it is that they've gained in their life, often is eventually wasted, damaged or all together lost.

We value what we have to work for, what we have to sacrifice for, what we have to persevere through…Why? Because we are then vested in it, and when we are vested in something or someone, we value it and generally desire to maintain it because it becomes a part of us. So how does this relate to "God won't give you more than you can bear" and why did I say that this statement caused me to miss out on a wonderful truth?

For most of us at some point in our life God is or was like a "concept, idea or notion" ~ Something we may have heard of, been taught about or even just looked into on our own…but in any case, God was this detached entity, (much like a coffee table) ~ There when we needed it, serving a purpose for us. Then, we eventually come into a spiritually based program of recovery that provides action steps which include God and are designed to teach us how to interact with Him so that we can grow spiritually. Now, I will pose three more questions: (1) Without pain, would we have ever darkened the doors of a 12step meeting? (2) Without pain, would we have ever pursued working those 12-steps? (3) Who among us pursues a relationship with a seemingly invisible and detached God, without pain as a major motivator? If our pain had remained at "bearable level" that we could handle ourselves…we likely would have never taken the steps that we have, nor have the life and freedom we do today.

See, the very reason I came through the doors of recovery, (the very essence of Step 1), is because I was allowed to have "more than I could bear"…hence "I was powerless". Everyday I face life circumstances that I've no control over and yes, I do believe that God allows it to be that way. But having said that, I also KNOW from my own experiences that although I am sometimes in over my head and without solutions from my own strength…God is always present.

Every time I'm in this type of situation, I ask God for help. Sometimes that help will come quickly and sometimes slowly, but if I continue to reach out and ask for help, I will and have ALWAYS received what I needed to get through each situation. The truth is that those things which are "more than I can bear" ~ are the very things that bring me into daily contact and reliance upon God. This process over the years has lead to the single most intimate relationship I've ever known…and all of it with One who once seemed such an invisible God, but Who now becomes more and more visible with each passing day. © 2012 Rebecca Balko (BeccainBham@aol.com) For anyone who may wonder where that saying came from, here is a reference: 1 Cor 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

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Here Comes The Sun

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JEANNIE SAROS

CAP, LMHC, CCHT, MH8070

National Board Certified Counselor

EMDRA trained and certified Clinical Hypnotherapist Specializing in Trauma and Healing for Individuals and Families Curriculum Development and trainer/supervisor of a nationally recognized Recovery Coach Online Training Program Featured in documentary “Sobriety First”, local and state news, Vanity Fair Magazine and the New York Times for community and professional contributions Continuing Education Provider for thr Florida Certification Board offering a 75 hour curriculum to satisfy the requirements of becoming a CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist)

Holistic Life Coach

Specializing In: Recovery/Addiction/Trauma Group & Individual Therapy Clinical Hypnotherapy, EMDR, Recovery Coach Training Offering “koffee and kounseling” as a free service to the community at Gizzies Coffee (2275 S.Federal Hwy, Delray Beach) every Tuesday from 7- 9, all seekers welcome!

WEB SITE: http://authenticpresencecounseling.com EMAIL: jeanniesaros@authenticpresencecounseling.com FAX: 561.999.8853 OFFICE: 6699 South Federal Hwy, Suite 103, Boca Raton, FL 33487

Phone: 561-542-0941

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A Few Ideas For Your Consideration

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Sober Cruises Offer Fun and Fellowship About 12 years ago Snow Piccolo stopped climbing on 20-foot scaffolds to carve goldleafed ceilings. She switched to cruise-line ladders. Currently, she climbs them about eight times a year as she leads groups of giddy vacationers to ports-of-call they had previously only dreamed of.

An architectural designer, Snow made her living in Boca Raton, FL, while raising three children.

When the twins were 9-years-old, the baby 6 and Snow was 16 years sober, they took a cruise that included 19 family members. Of the 2,600 people on board that ship, Snow was the solo attendee at the Friends of Bill W.meeting, which met daily, below decks. While Snow prayed, gazed at the vast blue sea and an occasional dolphin, an idea came to her about sharing this extraordinary experience with other sober people – a floating meeting of sorts.

Initially, Snow’s cruises began as a hobby. Fiftytwo people signed up for the first Caribbean cruise aboard the Princess Cruise Line. After only a few years the sober sailors were bursting out the portholes. “I switched to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines which ended up being more conducive to fellowship,” says Snow, citing 24-hour fellowship stations and private meeting rooms as examples of the her company’s commitment to staying on a sober course.

The first few years Snow stuck with themebased annual Halloween cruises to the Caribbean.

Imagine a flock of sober “Birds of a Feather,” or dry “Tropical Fish.” And a wide variety they were: People with 28 days of sobriety to 55 years of sobriety showed up, along with friends, family, Alanon-ers, and kids. Speaking to its increasing popularity, Snow boasts, “A lot of people won’t miss this trip for the world — it’s just too much fun.”

In 2007 Snow hung up her scaffold for good, and became a certified group cruise specialist.

Her company, SoberCelebrations, took off full steam ahead and she now sets sail six or seven times per year. Sober Celebrations, aka her rademarked Gratitude Cruises for anonymity onboard, has set anchor in Alaska, Africa, Rome, and Amsterdam. Next year will feature a trip to Dubai offering four days onland and seven at sea.

Most overseas trips include pre and post trips on either side of the cruise. For instance, the

European cruise starts in Rome and travels up the coast to Amsterdam, stopping at select ports along the way. People may opt to arriveearly in Rome and explore on their own or with an excursion group led by Snow. Want to say the prayer of St. Francis in Assisi? Done. Whisper the Serenity Prayer in Venice’s St. Mark’s Basilica? Check.

The moments of blessing and grace are too numerous to count, says Snow, who gets choked up when recalling the more tender moments. “Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and going through the African jungle in amilitary jeep in the dark,” she recounts, “And then getting into a hot air balloon and looking down on the elephants as the sun rises.”

Trip prices range based mostly on the type of accommodations chosen — interior stateroom, oceanview, deluxe balcony, suite — and the length of sail.

For instance, the five night Mediterranean trip (typically Spain, France and Italy) came in at $519 per person double occupancy. The least expensive trip ($400) is the Sober Sisters Weekend at Sea which sailed to the Bahamas last January with nearly 100 “rockin’ women.”

Unlike this writer’s previously held opinion of cruises, Sober Celebrations offer vacationers plenty of personal wiggle room. On board, vacationers can opt for table games, meetings, surfing contests, sponsorship opportunities, scavenger hunts, keynote speakers, movies and relaxing at the pool or in the quiet of your room. In port the biggest decision might be whether to join a group excursion to study architecture, go on an art tour, swim with the dolphins, or skydive. Or venture out on your own for a slice of personal serenity.

But really, when your shipmates are dropping out of helicopters onto a glacier and then dog sledding about, do you really want to be sipping cider from a straw?

For more information visit www.sobercelebrations.com or call 561.702.2312.

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Let’s Ask Bill Question - Is A.A. based totally on your own experiences?

Answer - Let's look. Dr. Bob recovered.

Then we two set to work on alcoholics in Akron. Well, again came this tendency to preach, again this feeling that it has to be done in some particular way, again discouragement, so our progress was slow. But little by little we were forced to analyze our experiences and say, "This approach didn't work very well with that fellow. Why not?

Let's try to put ourselves in his shoes and stop this preaching and see how he might be approached if we were he." That began to lead us to the idea that A.A. should be no set of fixed ideas, but should be a growing thing, growing out of experience. After a while we began to reflect: "This wonderful blessing that has come to us, from what does it get its origin?" It was a spiritual awakening growing out of adversity. So then we began to look harder for our mistakes, to correct them, to capitalize on our errors. Little by little we began to grow so that there were 5 of us at the end of that first year; at the end of the second year 15; at the end of the third 40; and at the end of the fourth year, 100.

During those first four years most of us had another bad form of intolerance. As we commenced to have a little success, I am afraid our pride got the better of us and it was our tendency to forget about our

friends. We were very likely to say, "Well, those doctors didn't do anything for us, and as for these sky pilots, well, they just don't know the score." And we became snobbish and patronizing.

Then we read a book by Dr. Carrell (Man, The Unknown). From that book came an argument which is now a part of our system.

Dr. Carrel wrote, in effect; The world is full of analysts. We have tons of ore in the mines and we have all kinds of building materials above ground. Here is a man specializing in this, there is a man specializing in that, and another one in something else.

The modern world is full of wonderful analysts and diggers, but there are very few who deliberately synthesize, who bring together different materials, who assemble new things. We are much too shy on synthetic thinking - the kind of thinking that's willing to reach out now here and now there to see if something new cannot be evolved.

On reading that book some of us realized that was just what we had been groping toward. We had been trying to build out of our own experiences. At this point we thought, "Let's reach into other people's experiences. Let's go back to our friends the doctors, let's go back to our friends the preachers, the social workers, all those who have been concerned with us, and again review what they have got above ground and bring that into the synthesis. And let us, where we can, bring them in where they will fit." So our process of trial and error began and at the end of four years, the material was cast in the form of a book known as Alcoholics Anonymous.

(Yale Summer School of Alcohol Studies, June 1945)

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The Medical Equipment Exchange Program As suffers of addiction, we enter into recovery as individuals who soon become engrossed in the "we" aspect of a spiritual program.

Shedding off our old ideas of personal gain and feelings of entitlement, we begin asking ourselves how to start our journey toward giving back what was freely given to us. Naturally, we gravitate toward our fellow sufferers, knowing that we possess a distinct wisdom of personal experience, which allows us to be of aid in manners that others could not. However, in Boca Raton, Florida, some men and women of recovery are carrying their message of spiritual principles further by being of service to their localcommunities. Business owners and investors, among a few, are collaborating together, "to provide lightly-used medical equipment to community residents regardless of age, gender, need or any other protected status," according to the organization's website at w.exchangeproject.org.

This collaboration provides medical equipment and transportation of these goods to the individual in need without any financial compensation.

The Medical Equipment Exchange Project Inc. (MEEP), founded on October of 2008, is a 501-C3 non-profit organization. The project was formed from the inspiration of a nonprofit organization, Sayville Cabinet for the Sick, which has served its local community for over thirty years by freely giving away lightly used medical equipment in Gillette Park of Long Island, New York. MEEP aims to be of service to those in need of medical equipment in a simple, no questions asked policy.

By reaching out to their community, the volunteers of MEEP have been welcomed by local religious organizations, healthcare providers and for-profit businesses excited to join hands in helping others.

Recently, MEEP provided an elderly woman in Ft. Lauderdale with a hospital shower chair and a wheel chair in order to help make her life more comfortable before she entered Hospice.

Similarly, a wheel chair was provided by MEEP to a young man in recovery from addiction, Joshua H. of Boca Raton, who was injured in a motorcycle accident. "People brought meetings into my home, but it just wasn't the same. [MEEP] allowed me to get to places. I wasn't stranded at my house," says Joshua. According to Joshua, MEEP came to his house at no charge to deliver the wheel chair. "All I had to do was sign a piece of paper," said Joshua.

Donated transportation allows MEEP to move, free of charge, medical equipment within the local area from those giving to recipients in need, who would otherwise be unable to receive care because of mobility and/or financial restrictions. As a company seeking Green certification, MEEP recycles medical equipment that would ordinarily be dumped in landfills or sold for scrap metal by redistributing them to those afflicted with health concerns.

MEEP serves a portion of south Florida from Ft. Lauderdale north to Boynton Beach, Pahokee east to the Florida shore. The board of directors for MEEP presently consists of ten individuals in recovery and one non-addicted accountant.

Currently, MEEP is need of donated canes, walkers, wheelchairs, medical mobility scooters, shower chairs, new potty chairs and hospital beds. For more information or to make a financial and/or physical contribution, visit: www.exchangeproject.org or email: donations@exchangeproject.org.

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Do you want to help those people in your life currently caught in the grips of the progressive and fatal disease of addiction…to get the very life saving help that they need?

Do you want to spread the message that WE DO RECOVER? To make an impact on YOUR community one person at a time?

The Life Saver’s Club is a recovery resource offered by The Watershed Addiction Treatment Programs and is unique in that we don’t simply offer help to those who are going to come HERE. We have a department of full time Resource Specialists, who are trained and experienced in throwing out a life line to those who are suffering with facilities and services in their area that will fit whatever budget or financial situation that they may have. By joining and becoming a member, you can have the peace of mind in knowing that the person you refer to call us will receive prompt attention and that NO REFERRAL goes unassisted.

Becoming a member is fast and easy! Simply go to our new web site: www.LivesinRecovery.com and register or give us a call at 877-416-9566 Ext.88426 and start the process of healing for those around you needing help! Membership benefits include: Acknowledgements, Recognition Gifts, Intervention Materials, Life Saver’s Club Cards and soon Educational Packets that will enable you to be an educator about addiction and recovery for your community and more! The Watershed’s Support Team is available 24/7 for any questions or support you may need along the way.

We look forward to hearing from YOU soon!!!

Rebecca Balko, C.A.C. Alumni Department Manager # 877-416-9566 (Ext.88204) Rbalko@thewatershed.com

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Abraham Lincoln On Alcoholism The profound insight of the great President banishment from it of all intoxicating drinks may truly claim to be the birthplace and the craseems to me not now an open question. dle of both those resolutions that shall have into the dilemma of the habitual drunkard. ended in that victory. How nobly distinguished From Lincoln’s address to the Washington that people who shall have planted and nurTemperance Society, Springfield, Ill. tured to maturity both the political and moral February 22 1842 freedom of their species.”

IN my judgment such of us who have never fallen victims have been spared more by the absence of appetite than from any mental or moral superiority over those who have.

Indeed, I believe if we take habitual drunkards as a class, their heads and their hearts will bear an advantageous comparison with those of any other class.”

“When one who has long been known as a victim of intemperance bursts the fetters that have bound him, and appears before his neighbors clothed and in his right mind, a redeemed specimen of long-lost humanity, and stands up, with tears of joy trembling in his eyes, to tell of the miseries once endured, now to be endured no more forever: of his once naked and starving children, now clad and fed comfortable; of a wife long weighed down with woe, weeping, and a broken heart, now restored to health, happiness, and a renewed affection; and how easily it is all done, once it is resolved to be done-how simple his language! Human feelings cannot resist.”

“For the man suddenly or in any other way to break off from the use of drams, who has indulged in them for a long course of years and until his appetite for them has grown tenor a hundred-fold stronger and more craving than any natural appetite can be, requires a most powerful moral effort. In such an undertaking he needs every moral support and influence that can possibly be brought to his aid and thrown around him.”

“It is an old and a true maxim that ‘a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.’

So with men. If you would win a man to your “The victims of it (alcoholism) were to be pitied cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.” and compassioned, just as are the heirs of consumption and other hereditary diseases. Their “Is it just to assail, condemn, or despise them? failing was treated as a misfortune and not as a The universal sense of mankind on any subject crime, or even as a disgrace.” is an argument, or at least an influence, not eas“There seems ever to have been a proneness in ily overcome. The success of the argument in the brilliant and warm blooded to fall into the favor of the existence of an overruling provivice-the demon of intemperance, ever seems to dence mainly depends upon that sense; and men have delighted in sucking the blood of genius ought not in justice to be denounced for yieldand of generosity. What one of us but can call to ing to it in any case, or giving it up slowly, espe“I have not inquired at what period of time the mind some relative, more promising in youth cially when they are backed by interest, fixed use of intoxicating liquors commenced; nor is it than all his fellows, who has fallen a sacrifice to habits, or burning appetites.” important to know. It is sufficient that, to all of his rapacity? He seems ever to have gone forth us who now inhabit the world, the practice of like the Egyptian angel of death, commissioned “Another error, as it seems to me, into which drinking them is just as old as the, world itself- to slay, if not the first, the fairest born of every the old reformers fell, was the position that all habitual drunkards were utterly incorrigible, that is, we have seen the one just as long as we family.” and therefore must be turned adrift and damned have seen the other.”

“Happy day when-all appetites controlled, all without remedy in order that the grace of tem“Those who have suffered by intemperance per- passions subdued, all matter subjugated-mind, perance might abound, to the temperate then, sonally, and have reformed, are the most pow- all-conquering mind, shall live and move, the and to all mankind some hundreds of years erful and efficient instruments to push the refor- monarch of the world. Glorious consummation! thereafter. There is in this attitude something so mation to ultimate success. It does not follow Hail, fall of fury? Reign of reason, all hail! repugnant to humanity, so uncharitable, so coldthat those who have not suffered have no part blooded and feelingless, that it never did nor And when the victory shall be complete-when left them to perform. Whether or not the world ever can enlist the enthusiasm of a popular would be vastly benefited by a total and final there shall be neither slave nor drunkard on the cause.” earth-how proud the title of that land which

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Mel B.

An Ex-Perfectionist Finds a New Definition For The Goal That Once Stayed Beyond His Reach

THE WORD "perfectionism" has a way of popping up in AA talks, and some alcoholics will confess that they suffered from a desire to be perfect in everything.

Automobiles, houses. A lot of alcoholic perfectionism does center around things of a material nature. I never owned a car or a house when I was drinking, but my foolish fantasies included

Perfectionism is a liability, not an asset. For the alcoholic, it usually ends in sloth. The individual has such high standards, such exaggerated goals, that he may take the opposite route and do nothing well. He really wants to be best; failing that, he settles for mediocrity or less. And he clings fiercely to his perfectionism despite the picture of failure he presents to the world.

Naturally, this perfectionism has to be dumped if a person is going to remain sober and achieve within the limits set by his own abilities and the world he lives in. But if perfectionism is a liability, perfection is not. Any individual can reach perfection in his life if he truly seeks it.

This sounds astonishing, since we are told repeatedly that "Perfection is for saints" and "Only God is perfect." But perfection is nothing more than adequacy or completeness. When we recognize that, it comes to us that a lot of things in our lives are indeed perfect. the biggest and best of both. If I had owned a car, I would have brooded over every blemish For one thing, I take constant delight in the per- and the slightest rattle; I simply couldn't have fection of my seven-year-old automobile, which accepted it for what it was, a vehicle for transjust passed the 92,000-mile mark. It is on its portation, and let it go at that. The house I wantsecond paint job and fourth set of tires, and the ed was a big one, with only the finest furniture beautiful seat covers (which I bought last year and a massive bar in the basement. But if I had after unexpectedly selling a magazine article) finally owned it, I wouldn't have been satisfied; were installed moments before the original sooner or later, I would have uncovered upholstery disintegrated totally. But the car runs grotesque defects and shortcomings in it. well and seems capable of three or four more years of good service. Is it stretching the point What about myself and my own achievements? to say that my aging but comfortable car is per- My dreams were so grandiose that I'm still fect, since it is entirely adequate for my require- ashamed to talk about them. I wanted to excel in ments? everything, and I couldn't stand the thought of being second-best in any activity. The result, as Then there is the house my family has lived in you may easily guess, is that I was often last-for the past four years. I think of it as a perfect because I never even tried. house, because it has sheltered us well and we have been completely happy in it. Some people It occurs to me today that this perfectionism was could find flaws here and there. Three lively very costly indeed, for there were many times boys have left their marks on the carpeting, and that I could have been second- or third-best, and the patterned glass panels of the shower doors this would have been an entirely respectable no longer match, because my three-year-old achievement that people would have applauded. shattered a pane during a particularly exciting And at times, I might even have been first, parbath one evening. The house lacks a basement, ticularly with the improved skill that comes and sometimes the family room is a little chilly from repeated trying. But instead I withdrew in the evenings, because it is a converted from all competition and consoled myself with garage. But the house has been so adequate that the great things I might have done. We hear all we'll never think of it as less than perfect, even the time about alcoholics who could have done if fortune should eventually install us in a so well if only they had tried. palace.

Well, why didn't they try? Wasn't it through fear that they could not achieve at the high level of their own fantasies? Did they prefer an exalted fantasy life to the real but less exciting achievements possible through their own capabilities?

Did they choose a false "what might have been" over a tangible "what really could be"? Perhaps they did. Certainly I did.

Looking back over my years in AA, I can recall lots of incidents that did not go particularly well and would probably be called imperfect by the world's standards. There was the time a prison inmate suddenly became angry with me at a meeting inside the walls, and I left feeling disturbed and inadequate, certain I had nothing to say to prison AA members. There was another time I offered advice that did absolutely nothing at all for the individual I was trying to help.

There is also the humbling realization that apparently no person I ever sponsored has remained sober.

But there's good in all of this. The encounter with the inmate taught me that I was probably prancing into the prison AA meetings with a patronizing attitude, an outsider bringing light and salvation to the oppressed. Later, I became a little less patronizing, and nobody got mad any more. As for giving advice, my mistakes in that area taught me to leave advice-giving to Ann Landers in all but extreme circumstances. And the fact that nobody I sponsored ever got sober?

Well, I have concluded that I am no worse than many sponsors and that I have given certain individuals some assistance--and that all of us were helped in the process.

Any of our experiences should teach us lessons, which in turn help us in our future growth. If the lessons were sufficient, they were perfect lessons, in spite of the cost in personal humiliation and pain. Even our drinking was a step toward perfection if it eventually led to something better--as it obviously did for so many AA members.

All of us are limited creatures in search of more adequacy, in search of more completion in our own lives. If something is adequate for its own time and place, it deserves to be called perfect.

By that standard, most of us have been reaching perfection right along without realizing it.

Perfectionism was a tyrant we could never appease, but we are delightfully perfect when we become adequate--which, in a way, is becoming ourselves.

M. D. B. May 1969

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The Hill: God Has A Plan Better Than Our Own About a year ago, this paper reported on a recovery house just opened in Boca Raton, Florida called The Hill. At the time, The Hill had been up and running for only a couple of weeks. I was asked to give the readers an update on where things currently stood.

I thought The Hill's story over the last year might best be told through the personal accounts of two of its members. To protect anonymity, I have changed the names of these individuals and left out specifics. Our first example is a friend we shall call Jim - has that been said before? Jim struggled with sobriety for years. At one point,

remained sober, employed, and is working towards rekindling the relationship with his child.

Another quick story is about a man named Kevin. Kevin recently got out of a jail where several employees of The Hill volunteer.

According to the former inmates in his pod, Kevin was the sickest of all of them. They had little hope for Kevin and awaited his swift return. Yet, today Kevin is free both in mind and body. His testament Serendipity means a "happy accident" or stands as one of the best hopes to those who once "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accidoubted that even God could dent of finding something good or useful touch the life of someone while not specifically searching for it. who had ventured so far astray.

The Hill's debut year was a lot like our own first year in sobriety.

Lessons were learned, changes were made, and growth occurred. Not more than halfway through The Hill's first year, the owner of the complexwho has never been affiliated with The Hill or any of its managementfaced financial conditions that forced the proprietor to auction off the property. The story is not all that different than what many of us have faced in sobriety. We walk our journey of recovery content with what we have been given, where we are going and then, seemingly out of nowhere, life throws us the quintessential curve ball. Yet, as we mature in our sobriety and grab hold of that sometimes elusive trait known as emotional sobriety, we find that personal catastrophes turn into serendipity. We are reminded again that God has a better plan than our own.

Serendipity

he was a few years sober and became blessed with marriage, a firstborn, and a home until forgetting his primary purpose. True to our disease, he picked up again, lost his family, the home, and his sanity. Jim came to The Hill with an empty wallet and a head full of fear. Though by following a simple course of action, Jim has

While members of The Hill had their own perfect plan, God decided that a less costly, newer, and smaller home would better serve the incoming residence. And yes, there's even a hill- albeit it's a small one. And maybe that's just what The Hill needed. To be reminded to stay small, stay humble, and continue to trust in God.

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Rule 62 Page A Dying Man's Wish A dying addict gathered his three best friends at his bedside and handed each of them an envelope containing $25,000 in cash. He made them each promise that after his death and during his repose, they would place the three envelopes in his coffin. He told them that he wanted to have enough money to enjoy the next life.

A week later the man died. At the wake, the three friends, each concealed an envelope in the coffin and bid their old party friend farewell.

By chance, these three met several months later. Soon the first friend, feeling guilty, blurted out a confession saying that there was only $10,000 in the envelope he placed in the coffin. He felt, rather than waste all the money, he would spend it on a trip to South America to get cocaine. He asked for their forgiveness.

ones, which the man downed pretty quick- fine." "Well, what gives?" said the barly. Then the man motioned to the bar- keeper. "Well, its like this, neither one of tender and said, "Three more please." of my brothers are religious, but I go to church every so often. I decided to give Well, this went on night after night. up booze for Lent!"

Soon the regular customers became very curious and asked the bartender to investigate. "Go see why he always orders three beers at a time?" they said.

A guy decides to take off early from work and go drinking. He stays in the bar until it closes at 2 in the morning, at which time he is extremely drunk. When he gets back to his house, he doesn't want to wake anyone up, so he takes off his shoes and starts tiptoeing up the stairs.

First Aid

Halfway up the stairs, he loses his balance, falls over backwards, and lands flat on his rear end. That wouldn't have been so bad, except that he had a couple of So the bartender went up to the man empty pint bottles in his back pockets and inquired. "Well its quite simple really. and they broke. The broken glass carved You see when I started drinking I would up his rear end terribly, but he was so always drink with my brothers. We drunk he didn't know he was hurt. always drank together. Then one of them moved to the east coast and one moved A few minutes later, as he was undressThe next friend, moved by the gentle out west. But we still drink together. I ing, he saw some blood. He checked himsincerity of the first, confessed that he order three drinks, one for me and one self out in the mirror and sure enough, too had kept some of the money for a for my brothers, and they do the same his rear end is cut up something terrible. wild party. The envelope, he admitted, thing where they live. That way we always He repaired the damage as best he could had only $8,000 in it. He said, he too drink together." under the circumstances and went to could not bring himself to waste the bed.

The bartender then went back and money so frivolously when it could be explained this to the other bar-flies. The next morning, his head was hurting used to have a great time.

Again things went back to normal, and By this time the last friend, a pot head, every day the man came in and ordered 3 and his rear was hurting, and he was lying was seething with self-righteous outrage. beers. Several weeks passed, and then under the covers trying to think up a He expressed his deep disappointment in one day he came into the bar and sat good story, when his wife came into the the felonious behavior of two of his old- down at his favorite spot. When the bar- bedroom. est and most trusted friends. "I am the tender came back to take his order the "Well, you really tied one on last night," only one who kept his promise to our man said, "Two beers, please." she said. "Where'd you go?" dying friend. I want you both to know Well, the crowd overheard his order and "I worked late," he said, "and I stopped that the envelope I placed in the coffin contained the full amount. Indeed, my were very surprised. Many of them whis- off for a couple of beers." envelope contained my personal check for pered to each other, "Something bad must have happened." Not being able to "A couple of beers? That's a laugh," she the entire $25,000." restrain themselves, they pestered the replied. "You were plastered last night bartender to find out what had hap- where'd you go?" pened. So he went up to the man and said, A new gentleman walked into a bar and "Everyone wants to know why only two "What makes you so sure I got drunk last night, anyway?" grabs a spot at the far end of the bar. tonight?"

The bartender went down to get his The man spoke quickly to assure the "Well," she replied, "my first big clue was order and said, "What'll it be?" The man answered, "3 bottles of beer." The bar- bartender, "Everything is alright; nothing when I got up this morning and found a tender obligingly served up three cold bad has happened. My brothers are just bunch of band-aids stuck to the mirror."

Three Beers

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A Letter to Alcohol Dear Alcohol,

Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now and would like to ensure we remain on good terms. You've been the First and foremost, let me tell you that I'm a HUGE fan of invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter, yours. and the needed companion when I just don't know what to do As my friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The with the extra money in my pockets. In order to continue this perfect post-work cocktail, a beer at the game and you're even friendship, I ask that you carefully review my grievances above and address them around at the holidays immediately. I will (hidden inside chocolates look for an response as you warm us when we're no later than Friday, stuck in the midst of end3 PM (pre happy less family gatherings). hour) on your possiHowever, lately I've been ble solutions. wondering about your Hopefully we can intentions. While I want to continue this fruitbelieve that you have my ful partnership. best interests at heart, I Thank you, feel that your influence has led to some unwise Your Biggest Fan consequences: P.S. Please take a 1.

Phone Calls/Text moment or two and Messages: While I agree note the following with you that communication is important, I question the suggestion that conversation items below that I think may be of some interest to you. after 2 a.m. can have much substance or necessity. Why would THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK: you make me call my ex's? Especially when I know, for a fact, they DO NOT want to hear from me during the day, let alone 1. Innovative all hours of the night.

2. Preliminary 2. Eating: Now, you know I love a good meal. But, why do you suggest that I eat a taco with chili sauce along with a big 3. Proliferation Italian meatball and some stale chips (washed down with wine & topped off with a Kit Kat after a few cheese curls & chili 4. Cinnamon cheese fries)? I'm an eclectic eater but I think you went too THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN far this time.

DRUNK: 3. Clumsiness: Unless you're subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer this issue home by causing me to fall down. It's completely unnecessary, and the black & blue marks that appear on my body mysteriously the next day are beyond me. Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front door key into the lock.

4. Hangovers: Furthermore, these have GOT to stop! This is getting ridiculous. I know a little penance for our previous evening's debauchery may be in order. But the 3 PM hangover immobility is completely unacceptable. My entire day is shot. If the proper precautions are taken (water, vitamin B, bread products, aspirin) prior to going to sleep/passing out (face down on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn or whatever), the hangover should be minimal and in no way interfere with my daily activities.

1. Specificity 2. British Constitution 3. Passive-Aggressive Disorder THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK: 1. Thanks but I don't want to have sex.

2. Nope, no more beer for me.

3. Sorry but you're not really my type.

4. Good evening, officer. Would you like a soft taco?

5. Oh, I couldn't. No one wants to hear me sing.

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Daffynissions Eclipse: What an English barber does for a living.

Egotist: Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation.

Gossip: A person who will never tell a lie if the truth will do more damage.

Handkerchief: Cold Storage.

Elbonics: The art of two people maneuvering for one armrest in a theatre.

Heroes: What a guy in a boat does.

Esplanade: To attempt an explanation while drunk.

Extravaganza: The spare vaganza you keep on hand in case you run out of vaganzas.

Eyedropper: A clumsy ophthalmologist.

Fine: A tax for doing wrong.

Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia: Fear of long words.

Inflation: Cutting money in half without damaging the paper.

Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

Flabbergasted: Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.

Instigator: What you add water to when you want an alligator.

Flatulence: Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts been run over by a steamroller. until you realize it was your money to start with.

Flusterpated: Being so flustered that words get bound up inside you.

Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

Frisbeetarianism: The belief that when one dies, the soul flies up to the roof and gets stuck there.

Lasterday: Any day before today.

Gargoyle: Olive flavor mouthwash.

Left Bank: What the robber did after his bag was full of loot.

Generica: Features of the American landscape that are exact- Lymph: Walk with a lisp. ly the same no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, subdivisions.

Lysdexia: A peech imspediment we live to learn with.

Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

Matricide: Killing yourself on a bed.

Glibido: All talk and no action.

Misty: Why a golfer creates a divot.

A CHRIST CENTERED 12 STEP PROGRAM Every Tuesday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm RSVP for Free Childcare New Children’s Recovery Celebration Station nrunhaar@FUMCBocaRaton.org FUMC,625 Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432

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Triple A’s: A A Acronyms

AA = Absolute Abstinence AA = Adventurers Anonymous AA = Altered Attitudes AA = Altruistic Action AA = Attitude Adjustment ABC = Acceptance, Belief, Change ABC = Ashtrays, Broom, Coffee ABC = Ashtrays, Broom, Chairs ACTION = Any Change Toward Improving One's Nature

AGAINS=After Grandious And Insane Neurotic Stupidity ALCOHOLICS = A Life Centered On Helping Others Live In Complete Sobriety ANONYMOUS = Actions Not Our Names Yield Maintenance Of Unity and Service ANONYMOUS = Actions Not Our Names Yield Maintenance Of Uninterrupted Sobriety ASK = Ass-Saving Kit BAR = Beware!, Alcohol!, Run! BAR = Beware!, Alcoholic Ruin BIG BOOK = Believing In God Beats Our Old Knowledge DEAD = Drinking Ends All Dreams DENIAL = Don't Even Notice I Am Lying DETACH = Don't Even Think About changing Him/Her DUES = Desperately Using Everything but Sobriety EGO = Easing God Out EGO = Edging God Out FAILURE = Fearful, Arrogant, Insecure, Lonely, Uncertain, Resentful, Empty FAITH = Fear Ain't In This House FEAR = Few Ever Arrive Rejoicing FEAR = Failure Expected And Received FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real FEAR = False Expectations Appearing Real FEAR = Fear Expressed Allows Relief FEAR = Feelings Every Alcoholic Rejects FEAR = Fighting Ego Against Reality FEAR = Forget Everything and Run (polite version) FEAR = F--k Everything and Run!

FEAR = Face Everything and Recover!

FEAR = Forgetting Everything's All Right (not really!)

FEAR = Frantic Effort to Appear Real FEAR = Frantic Efforts to Appear FINE = Faithful, Involved, kNowledgeable and Experienced FINE = Feeling Insecure, Numb and Empty FINE = Frantic, Insane, Nuts and Egotistical

FINE = Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional FINE = Frustrated, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional FINE = F--cked, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional GAYS = Go Ask Your Sponsor GIFT = God Is Forever There GOD = Good Orderly Direction GOD = Group of Drunks GOYA = Get Off Your Ass GUT = God's Undeniable Truths HALT = Honestly, Actively, Lovingly Tolerant HALT = Hope, Acceptance, Love and Tolerance HALT = Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired: Fix these situations before you make any decisions.

HALTS = Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired and Stupid HALTS FEAR = Hope, Acceptance, Love and Tolerance Stops Forgetting that Everything's All Right HELP = His Ever Loving Presence HELP = Her Ever Loving Presence HELP = Hope, Encouragement, Love and Patience HOPE = Happy Our Program Exists HOPE = Having Organized Priorities Everyday HOPE = Hearing Other Peoples' Experience HOPE = Hang On! Peace Exists...

HOW = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness: that's how we do it HOW = Honest, Open-minded and Willing ISM = I, Self, Me

ISM = Incredibly Short Memory ISM = InSide Me ISM = I Sabotage Myself KISS = Keep It Simple, Stupid KISS = Keep It Simple, Sugar KISS = Keep It Simple, Sweetheart KISS = Keeping It Simple, Spiritually OUR = Openly Using Recovery PACE = Positive Attitudes Change Everything PAID = Pitiful And Incomprehensible Demoralization PMS = Poor Me Syndrome PMS = Pour More Scotch PROGRAM = People Relying on God Relaying a Message RELATIONSHIP = Real Exciting Love Affair Turns Into Outrageous Nightmare, Sobriety Hangs In Peril RID = Restless, Irritable and Discontented SLIP = Sobriety Loses Its Priority SOB = Sober Old Bag SOB = Sober Old Bastard SOB = Sober Old Biker SOBER = Son Of A Basket, Everything's Real SPONSOR = Sober Person Offering Newcomers Suggestions On Recovery STEPS = Solutions To Every Problem in Sobriety STEPS = Solutions To Every Problem, Sober STOP = Sicker Than Other People T E A M = Together Everyone Achieves More T H I N K = Thoughtful, Honest, Intelligent, Necessary, Kind TIME = Things I Must Earn T R U S T = Try Relying Upon Steps and Traditions WILLING = When I Live Life, I Need God Y A N A = You Are Not Alone YET = You're Eligible Too

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