My associate Recovering Carl, Sir Carl as I refer to him, discusses his quest for recovery in the Al-Anon Family Program. He muses the answer to the question, ”How much is too much for me to invest in the program?” AAAAHHH, Grasshopper? You ask the ultimate question,” Are we there yet?”
It has been my experience in many, many years of recovery from my disease that, ”I will never arrive at my destination?” Which destination is that? You may ask? The destination we all seek. Serenity! Recovered! At peace! Prosperous! Safe! Complete! Is it soup yet? (Remembering the Campbell Soup commercials of my youth!”)
I have been truly blessed by the “Elder Statesmen as well as The Bleeding Deacons in the AA program with the awareness that, ”Our recovery is a journey rather than a destination! Patience is required to recover fully from our malady of body, mind, emotion and spirit. Recovery is the journey we are on. We seek our place in recovery, being so eloquently represented by our sponsors and other professionals who it is their life goal and occupations, (doctors, counselors) to teach recovery skill to each of us as we are capable of receiving it.
Be well studied regarding this disease as it is a terminal one. We don’t get over this one. We don’t get well! Rich N. a gentle elder of the Springfield, Missouri AA group, who has passed on to his reward some years ago, often shared the reality of the “Pickle-cucumber” comparison when exploring the disease concept of addiction. “We were born a cucumber but alcohol (drugs) made us into pickles!” There is no going back!
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or “PTSD” as it is more often referred can be diagnosed (by licensed doctors) in the life of many family members as a result of the trauma and drama of living with active addiction. If you don’t have a sponsor, get one! If you have never had professional help and feel you are nearing “the end of your rope?” Get on the phone! There people just like Sir Carl who can help you plan a safe course toward your own recovery from addiction! They know the way, all you have to do is “tag along!” True recovery is better than any roller coaster ride you will ever take! Join us wont you?
Good Health and Be Blessed, Mr. Denny Goodpenny

(www.acureforaddiction.com)

This week I had the privilege of counseling with a 23 year young man who could not comply with the requirements laid down by the court. His "self-will run riot" projected blame on everyone who was involved in his case. It is all about my money he complained. He wanted to visit with his young son who is in the custody of his x-wife rather than comply with counseling recommendations of his therapist.
The denial mechanism of "projection" focuses on another person, place or thing rather than the one who is culpable. The addict/alcoholic. If the addict can defer the responsibility for their own failure on to another principle, then, they can assume their victim stance! This form of denial, "projection", relieves the addict of responsibility.
The reality of the addicts life is that they were the only person who was always present during their dramas! If they can successfully "blame" another, then, they do not have to change, which is the purpose of the "projection!" It is not my fault! The addict is "loved to death" by all who allow this to continue.
As a recovering addict/alcoholic, no-difference, I must accept that my life is "my fault!" Until I do, nothing changes. A person who can accept their culpability in their illness, can recover. When a person uses all their denial skills successfully, eventually, they will die! Jails, institutions and an early grave. Deaths door opens wide to receive those of us who "do not recover!" It is just a matter of time? Good Health and Be Blessed!
Mr. Denny Goodpenny CASAC (RET)
Chairman, Community Safety Program LLC

However well intentioned our recovery the culpability we bare is with no excuse. The inventory process allows us to examine our addicted life with some objectivity. We seldom appreciate the picture we see! An individual who is impaired with chemicals is with no defense against their next error. When we attend meetings of recovery we are witnesses to the current reality show being lived by our fellows. Death, destruction, broken families, trauma spans the personal human existence of our group members.
The AA coins many of us carry in our pockets remind us of the purpose we each have in recovery, "To carry the message to the recovering alcoholic(addict)! "Every day well lived is a fond memory of yesterday and hope for tomorrow, so live well therefore, this day!"Good Health and Be Blessed! Mr. Denny Goodpenny
www.acureforaddiction.com

I wrote to Sir Carl the following:

"Sir Carl, glad you are writing again! I have had a lot of trauma as you discus regarding your "Qualifier! I do admire your "staying power!" Family we are committed to are our motivation for our own recovery, that is certain!
With your permission ( i will refer another to you?)her daughter 20 years old has had serious health issues due to alcohol toxicity! Very high BAC's and comas requiring hospital services. She is there now and almost did not survive this last binge!
Your contribution to this effort(our blog!) has to help everyone who searches for the sanity recovery provides. I will give your info to a prosecutor working the case also. He is a recovery advocate!
Thanks again, wishing your family good health and blessings! Mr. Denny Goodpenny"
(www.acureforaddiction.com)