Archived Family Recovery Tips
Information for Significant Others and Families of Alcoholics or Addicts
There follow examples of Family Recovery Tips that you can subscribe to and receive daily for 365 days at a cost of one dollar per day.
Happy first day of 2008! What would New Year's Resolutions by a person in recovery from the effects of a relationship with an addict or alcoholic look like?: perhaps a re-dedication to daily spiritual disciplines to strengthen your relationship with a source of spiritual strength, to attendance of meetings of Al-Anon or Nar-Anon, to involvement with your Al-Anon or Nar-Anon sponsor (mentor), to helping newcomers to recovery, to name but a few goals.
Wednesday January 02, 2008
Think is a good guide to recovery from the effects of a relationship with an addict or alcoholic, meaning think about your own role in whatever the situation may be, and how you are thinking and reacting to it. Seeking an honest, positive examination of yourself and your own reactions is always an option for you.
Thursday January 03, 2008
Recovery from the effects of a relationship with an addict or alcoholic, using the spiritual principles found in the Twelve Step Programs of Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, can be seen as a learning process--an ongoing opportunity to apply these principles to life's realities. Principles such as "the only person I can change is me" have no expiration date and can be usefully applied one's whole life.
Friday January 04, 2008
If you are new to recovery from the effects of a relationship with someone with an addiction and have begun to attend meetings of Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, the Twelve Step Support Groups for persons affected by such a relationship, the best way to begin is to attend as many meetings as you can each week, with an open mind, and when you are ready, begin to follow the suggestions given to newcomers, such as getting a sponsor (a mentor), reading the literature available at meetings, and being open to seeking help from a spiritual source of your own understanding.
Saturday January 05, 2008
How can I help the alcoholic or addict that I care about? There are many answers to this question; here are two. First, recognize that you have no power over whether the addict or alcoholic uses or not, and can only focus on yourself and how you react to the alcohoic or addict. Second, go to meetings of Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, the Twelve Step Support Groups for persons affected by a relationship with an addicted person, and learn how not only to help yourself, but also to not enable the alcoholic or addict to continue to use---a good definition of enabling is to not allow the natural consequences of an addicted person's behavior to occur, that is, to rescue or soften the adverse consequences of drug or alcohol use. Clearly, no addict or alcoholic will seek help to stop using without experiencing the pain stemming from addiction.
Sunday January 06, 2008
In recovery from the effects of a relationship with an addict or alcoholic in Al-Anon or Nar-Anon, there is a great emphasis on sharing one-on-one with other persons in recovery, and/or at meetings; the reason for this emphasis is that talking about a problem with another can clarify it and help produce a healthy perspective of the problem and how to apply recovery principles to it.
Monday January 07, 2008
In order to gain proficiency in any endeavor, frequent practice and discipline are required. The same is true of spirituality; daily attention to your relationship with a source of spiritual strength will enhance the relationship. Daily spiritual discipline is a way to build on a spiritual relationship: set aside time in the morning and evening to read from a daily meditation book; in the morning, ask for the strength to do whatever needs to be done that day, and before retiring, give thanks for getting through the day. Daily discplines such as these can enhance your recovery from the effects of a relationship with an addict or alcoholic.
