When addicts use chemicals their brain chemistry changes. It is some like putting a lit match to gasoline! The reaction is very dramatic! If the experience is one that is pleasurable (like really, really good sex- and what sex isn't really good!) Easy to tell the male species, yes!;) The desire to repeat the experience is going to be strong. An addict never woke up and said," Today I will become an addict!!!" We just wanted to have the experience of intoxication,(like the last time!) PLEASURABLE!
A person does become an addict when their substance use begins to cause problems for them and they don't want to stop using! Why? They are hooked! Your value system changed without your permission! Their is recovery and the sooner the problem is identified, the easier it is to recover.Good Health and Be Blessed Mr. Denny Goodpenny
www.acureforaddiction.com

A friend, "Recovering Carl" wrote a splendid account of trials he has endured as a person with a career mission! I admire his Moxy as his occupation is very challenging at times. He wrote about such a challenge in todays blogstream. Impressed as a usually am with his offerings today's was exceptional.

Martyrdom is not an unusual condition for those of use who have survived danger(military and first responders, fire and police) these honorable professions come to mind. Also active addiction creates "PTSD" and other diagnosable psychiatric conditions for those of us and our peers who have survived the condition.

I am not a veteran because my active alcoholism was identified by a Colonel before I received my silver bars. Drunks don't make good officers came his comment. I stayed drunk for 15 more years before ever sitting in an AA meeting. Once I "got the AA program" and some time, i made a career decision to work in the field full time. School and more school and training gave me the experiences I needed to be a good therapist(so I've been told?"

(Some humor and instruction)

When a man got to heaven he went into the room where the angels kept the crosses. He had complained that his cross on earth was much to heavy to bare. He was offered some large crosses. The first 3 crosses were 4 ft, 3 ft and 1 ft long. The new angel said those are much to big to carry for eternity. He said how about this one 6
inches small? Jesus said that is the one you already have!

We don't stop to see the burden others bare. We are focused on our own. The programs teach us that ours is smaller than many others and our time is better spent in service to those who truly suffer today! Our suffering is much smaller now because of the programs tools and expert consultants who help us find our way through the fields of life.

I pray your cross will be smaller tomorrow than it was today! Keep coming back to the people who can help you in the places that they gather. Meetings, meetings and more meetings!Good Health and Be Blesed! Mr. Denny Goodpenny
www.acureforaddiction.com

I will go to an attroneys office tomorrow and deliver reports on a client who has pending drug charges. The common thoughts are that addiction is not helped by standard therapies unless it is accomplished in an institutional environment? My opinion is contrary to this line of thought and my experience proves it to my satisfaction. Recovery from addiction can occur exactly where the addict is standing or sitting! It is a myth that certain environmentsl factors are necessary for an addict to achieve sobriety? Getting sober may be simpler, easier, more recovery may occur if the environment is controlled but, recovery is not dependent on the same. Accountability is essential for alcoholics and drug addicts to gain sobriety. Relapses may occur however, if a good failth effort is behind the progress the addict should forgive their failure, double their efforts and don't stop until the miracle happens for you also!Good Health and Beblessed Mr. Denny Goodpenny www.acureforaddiction.com

Effort is required for people to achieve and maintain sobriety! You have to want to be sober! If you are not willing to work for it, it may not work for you? A man of mine picked up a white chip today and I was proud for him! When we are willing to go to any length to stay sober we achieve progress at different levels. Being sober is not natural to those of us who are addicted! Only you can say that you are or are not addicted? In recovery we know you are addicted because it is when you say you are! You have to want to be sober!
Good Health and be blessed! Mr. Denny Goodpenny
acureforaddiction.com

Today I worked with one man who was once convicted of crimes which occurred while he was intoxicated. His last crime required him to serve a prison sentence of more than 5 years. The effort he is putting into his own recovery allows him to volunteer at a local prison teaching a recovery class to inmates. He and I have been acquainted for many years and his recovery enriches my own. When you attend "self help groups" you may misunderstand the purpose for their existence? They do not do "anything for you" but rather provide an environment of safety, and support so that you can receive the guidance required to practice sobriety. Recovery is not about what you think or feel, it is about what you do! Recovery is an "action program!" We recover together------or not! Step twelve does not include the word "every!" Lets review step 12, Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps ,we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs" ! Every alcoholic and drug addict does not recover. Most die with, if not from, the illness of addiction! It does not have to be that way. There is recovery but recovery is chosen by the addict. No power on earth can keep the addict sober if they do not choose it! Let today be your day to begin your choice to stay sober! Good Health and Be Blessed! Mr. Denny Goodpenny www.acureforaddiction.com