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)