...can recover if they have the capacity to be honest. Many recovering folks have physical problems which doctors administer pharmaceutical-drugs! The ability to be honest is about honor. If you truly need the medicine, take it! If you are using, be honest about that and stop. A good check is following directions to the letter and honesty! Does everyone know you are taking the medicine and is there anyone monitoring your use? Are you using? Your doctor should know you are recovering prior to administering narcotics. Be honest and accountable. If we are advising our medical providers with all the addiction history they should be respecting our decision to be abstinent. If you are concerned, get a second opinion. That is your right as a patient and good common sense! Be blessed and blog on! Mr. Denny

When an addict shares their experience, strength and hope, they are either bragging or requesting assistance? I love to hear recovering people talk about their individual success! It is good to realize that I have the power in and of myself with the help of others to change my own life! Does recovery breed self confidence? Yes it does and for us to share that success with others may give tham the hope that they can change also. A lady, Cindy, received her 26 year chip today at the noon A.A. meeting! Anyone successfully staying sober today can brag on "my dime," anytime! Be blessed and blog on! Mr. Denny

The drug “Alcohol” is one of the oldest anesthetic drugs used by man. I heard it said by an ”old timer” at a meeting once that alcohol had been around since cavemen left grapes in a rut in a rock too long and they fermented. When the “sour wine” was consumed, the effect was discovered? The accuracy of these comments may not be exactly correct, however, understanding alcohol as a drug should be simple enough. Once consumed in a sufficient quantity, all types of problems are experienced. All of our physical abilities become impaired and we feel “wonderful!” Apple pie never did that to me! I wanted more alcohol, a lot more, in fact, I wanted it all !!! Thus the love affair with booze began. My associates who wanted me to experience the best of their “offerings” provided free samples of the next chemical, which soon became a physical craving. The drug addiction may have begun with drinking but quickly escalated, beyond my ability to contain. My hours and days were consumed, my relationships destroyed and my substance consumed on riotous living. I think I read a story like that in Sunday school as a child. I wished I had learned from that “prodigal son!” Surviving the condition was the most desperate need. Finding other recovering “sots” was a blessing from God him self. Like occupants of a lifeboat, following the sinking of the ocean liner, they pull me aboard!(Big Book of A.A.) In time I will learn that the truth they share with me will become the mission for my life. Thank You Alcoholics Anonymous and all you who have gone before me to safely light my way! Be Blessed and blog on, Mr. Denny

Do you remember when you were newly sober, (Maybe even now,) we get our hopes up regarding some person,place or thing? When it does not work out the way we hoped, we get disappointed, diligent or worse, angry! In the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, volume 3 page 449 Acceptance is spoken of. Depending on what point in your recovery you happen to be today, your feelings are valid. That doesn't mean they are right or wrong necessarily, but they are valid. You should not deny your feelings. As your maturity ages you will realize more and more about how the world really works. Everyone and everything is not here for "MY" pleasure, provision, protection or entertainment! I am responsible in recovery to live life to the best of"MY" ability. I am to be self supporting, learn to be honest. Tell the truth about myself and my life to the best of my ability today! Sobriety today doesn't mean only not using chemicals. It means living my life with integrity and helping others along the way. Everyone has a difficult battle in life. If we are clean and sober today and doing the best we can to achieve our goals today, gratitude is in order. We don't have time to feel sorry and resentful. Be blessed and blog on, Mr. Denny