CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

[calibob]

After the D.T's, I had PAWS Direct from addictionrecovery.com>

Post-Acute Withdrawal (PAWS)

There are two stages of withdrawal. The first stage is the acute stage, which usually lasts at most a few weeks. During this stage, you may experience physical withdrawal symptoms. But every drug is different, and every person is different.

The second stage of withdrawal is called the Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). During this stage you'll have fewer physical symptoms, but more emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms.

Post-acute withdrawal occurs because your brain chemistry is gradually returning to normal. As your brain improves the levels of your brain chemicals fluctuate as they approach the new equilibrium causing post-acute withdrawal symptoms.

Most people experience some post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Whereas in the acute stage of withdrawal every person is different, in post-acute withdrawal most people have the same symptoms.

The Symptoms of Post-Acute Withdrawal

• Mood swings, anxiety, irritability
• Tiredness, variable energy, low enthusiasm
• Variable concentration
• Disturbed sleep

These are the most common post-acute withdrawal symptoms.

Post-acute withdrawal feels like a rollercoaster of symptoms. In the beginning, your symptoms will change minute to minute and hour to hour. Later as you recover further they will disappear for a few weeks or months only to return again. As you continue to recover the good stretches will get longer and longer. But the bad periods of post-acute withdrawal can be just as intense and last just as long.

Each post-acute withdrawal episode usually last for a few days. Once you've been in recovery for a while, you will find that each post-acute withdrawal episode usually lasts for a few days. There is no obvious trigger for most episodes. You will wake up one day feeling irritable and have low energy. If you hang on for just a few days, it will lift just as quickly as it started. After a while you'll develop confidence that you can get through post-acute withdrawal, because you'll know that each episode is time limited.

They failed to mention occasional recurring blackouts and confusion.

Post-acute withdrawal usually lasts for 2 years. This is one of the most important things you need to remember. If you're up for the challenge you can get though this. But if you think that post-acute withdrawal will only last for a few months, then you'll get caught off guard, and when you're disappointed you're more likely to relapse.

That's what led me to the dual-diagnosis field of 12 step work. I survived with help from the Lord!

 

[Bingo]

Good day. I'm calibob and I'm grate full to be recovering from intermingled illness's of the mind and body that has effected my spiritual walk and my loved ones. Nearly everything I touched and everyone I ever love has been negatively affected by a disease I couldn't begin to understand before I humbled myself after hitting bottom, surrendered my self before the Lord and started following the Good Orderly Directions found in the twelve steps. I'm better now and getting better every day thank the Lord.

Today I've come to share a little of step seven with you before I sleep. From CiDR (Christians in Dual Recovery by anonymous). here is step seven.>

7) We humbly asked Jesus to make the corrections necessary for us to live happy, joyous and free.

The spiritual principals are sound and come from the Beatitudes'. >
Matthew 5 : 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. NIV

1 John 1: 8) If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9)If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

Having possession of our finished inventory and with a humble heart we make an honest commitment. We decide to allow the changes necessary to allow the Lord to take control of our recovery and our lives. We recognize that the truth is we cannot change without his help. We can see clearly that changes need to be made because our old way of doing thing dosn't work any more and hasn't been working for a long time. If things don't change they won't get better in fact it's very likely they will get worse. At the top of the list of things that need to change is us.

This is difficult because our human nature dosn't like change. Asking for help from another person is the best idea, that's why we should have a sponsor. Our self destructive, self defeating ways must be changed. Prayer is a valuable tool however it is rather inert unless we practice and believe it.

The age old question about how a musician gets to Carnegie hall applies here. The answer is practice! Here is a sample for you.>

View attachment 197915
Thank you @Magenta for burning the midnight oil to get this ready for us this morning.

It's way past my bedtime I'm leaving this meeting open. Good morning.

 

[calibob]

We are starting the second month today. I am a little surprised, I just suggested that we started one but they ran my suggestion. Now we are over 1840 views. Praise the Lord. @Magenta and I designed this logo, the apple represents us and the dove represents the Holy Spirits power over us. Notice the apple looks fresh because we are made fresh through the power of God. we were fallen apples not rotten ones. The Lord as made us new again, and the steps are the back to where we belong.

The steps were originally the 8 principles from the beattitudes adopted by the Oxford Group in 1931. Bill W., Dr. Bob and the original AA's expanded them to 12 and published them in 1939 so agnostics and non spiritually minded could understand and follow, without even a bible or belief system. However they have brought countless to believe in God and restart their lives.

They have been successfully been adapted for treatment a myriad of Disorders including Drugs, gambling, over eating, depression... etc.
As Christians we already know who the real power is so our base is upon the rock. We strive to keep the Lord up front and center. The twelve steps really work if we work them. Faith, love and service will be the eventual outcome of step 12. Carry the message. I'm Calibob and that's my thought for today...
This meeting is open, please feel free to speak your mind.

 

[calibob]

Step 8 from Gamblers Anonymous>

8) Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Emotions Anonymous step 8 >
8) Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

They're exactly the same, word for word. Addictions whether to toxins or not. Emotional problems, and a host of other problems can be treated using the 12 steps. From SAA>

Step 8. Write down a list of all the people whom the individual’s sexual addiction has harmed and prepare to willingly make reparations.

It's basic, Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (NIV)

In step 8 we look to see who our Addiction('s) and or emotional problems have effected and prepair to make amends, rebuild or heal them. Others around us have suffered as well, including ourselves. This helps us by;

…..Relieving us of our shame…..Rediscovering our values…..Examining our relationships. It helps us get off of any guilt trip that's been holding us back.
It's good for us.

As we become willing to make amends there are some barriers to overcome like fear, denial and unhealthy relationships. The benefits are, a new sence of being whole, a renewed self respect and the realization that we can recover.

Psalm 103:11-12 New International Version (NIV)
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

 

[Hamarr]

@Hamarr Here we are! Please introduce yourself and welcome aboard. PTL.

Thanks. I was taking a weekend off the internet for the most part. I find it helps to unplug a bit now and then.

I guess I'll just say I'm Hamarr. It's a bit odd in Al Anon and ACA, we don't identify ourselves, though you do hear about the occasional "double winner" in Al Anon, or someone will say "I'm an adult child" in ACA.

The Problem - From Adult Children of Alcoholics and Other Dysfunctional Families:
Many of us found that we had several characteristics in common as a result of being brought up in an alcoholic or dysfunctional household. We had come to feel isolated and uneasy with other people, especially authority figures. To protect ourselves, we became people-pleasers, even though we lost our own identities in the process. All the same we would mistake any personal criticism as a threat. We either became alcoholics (or practiced other addictive behavior) ourselves, or married them, or both. Failing that, we found other compulsive personalities, such as a workaholic, to fulfill our sick need for abandonment.

We lived life from the standpoint of victims. Having an overdeveloped sense of responsibility, we preferred to be concerned with others rather than ourselves. We got guilt feelings when we stood up for ourselves rather than giving in to others. Thus, we became reactors, rather than actors, letting others take the initiative. We were dependent personalities, terrified of abandonment, willing to do almost anything to hold on to a relationship in order not to be abandoned emotionally. Yet we kept choosing insecure relationships because they matched our childhood relationship with alcoholic or dysfunctional parents.

These symptoms of the family disease of alcoholism or other dysfunction made us “co-victims”, those who take on the characteristics of the disease without necessarily ever taking a drink. We learned to keep our feelings down as children and kept them buried as adults. As a result of this conditioning, we confused love with pity, tending to love those we could rescue. Even more self-defeating, we became addicted to excitement in all our affairs, preferring constant upset to workable relationships.

This is a description, not an indictment.

Adapted from The Laundry List

 

[Hamarr]

The Solution:

The solution is to become your own loving parent

As ACA becomes a safe place for you, you will find freedom to express all the hurts and fears you have kept inside and to free yourself from the shame and blame that are carryovers from the past. You will become an adult who is imprisoned no longer by childhood reactions. You will recover the child within you, learning to accept and love yourself.

The healing begins when we risk moving out of isolation. Feelings and buried memories will return. By gradually releasing the burden of unexpressed grief, we slowly move out of the past. We learn to re-parent ourselves with gentleness, humor, love and respect.
This process allows us to see our biological parents as the instruments of our existence. Our actual parent is a Higher Power whom some of us choose to call God. Although we had alcoholic or dysfunctional parents, our Higher Power gave us the Twelve Steps of Recovery.

This is the action and work that heals us: we use the Steps; we use the meetings; we use the telephone. We share our experience, strength, and hope with each other. We learn to restructure our sick thinking one day at a time. When we release our parents from responsibility for our actions today, we become free to make healthful decisions as actors, not reactors. We progress from hurting, to healing, to helping. We awaken to a sense of wholeness we never knew was possible.
By attending these meetings on a regular basis, you will come to see parental alcoholism or family dysfunction for what it is: a disease that infected you as a child and continues to affect you as an adult. You will learn to keep the focus on yourself in the here and now. You will take responsibility for your own life and supply your own parenting.

You will not do this alone. Look around you and you will see others who know how you feel. We will love and encourage you no matter what. We ask you to accept us just as we accept you.

This is a spiritual program based on action coming from love. We are sure that as the love grows inside you, you will see beautiful changes in all your relationships, especially with God, yourself, and your parents.

 

[calibob]

The Solution:

The solution is to become your own loving parent

As ACA becomes a safe place for you, you will find freedom to express all the hurts and fears you have kept inside and to free yourself from the shame and blame that are carryovers from the past. You will become an adult who is imprisoned no longer by childhood reactions. You will recover the child within you, learning to accept and love yourself.

The healing begins when we risk moving out of isolation. Feelings and buried memories will return. By gradually releasing the burden of unexpressed grief, we slowly move out of the past. We learn to re-parent ourselves with gentleness, humor, love and respect.
This process allows us to see our biological parents as the instruments of our existence. Our actual parent is a Higher Power whom some of us choose to call God. Although we had alcoholic or dysfunctional parents, our Higher Power gave us the Twelve Steps of Recovery.

This is the action and work that heals us: we use the Steps; we use the meetings; we use the telephone. We share our experience, strength, and hope with each other. We learn to restructure our sick thinking one day at a time. When we release our parents from responsibility for our actions today, we become free to make healthful decisions as actors, not reactors. We progress from hurting, to healing, to helping. We awaken to a sense of wholeness we never knew was possible.
By attending these meetings on a regular basis, you will come to see parental alcoholism or family dysfunction for what it is: a disease that infected you as a child and continues to affect you as an adult. You will learn to keep the focus on yourself in the here and now. You will take responsibility for your own life and supply your own parenting.

You will not do this alone. Look around you and you will see others who know how you feel. We will love and encourage you no matter what. We ask you to accept us just as we accept you.

This is a spiritual program based on action coming from love. We are sure that as the love grows inside you, you will see beautiful changes in all your relationships, especially with God, yourself, and your parents.

Thank you for sharing and wow thanks for a new perspective. Our problems are multi dimensional and multi layered to. Your perspective, experience strength and faith are an asset for all of us. Welcome aboard! I'm calibob Recovering sinner saved by grace. Who's next? We never close.

 

[calibob]

FYI the original cover of the AA big book 1st edition was red with red binding. Fear of anti communist paranoia and not wanting to be mistaken for the communist manifesto, caused it to be changed to blue!

 

[calibob]

I think the reason for introduction and identification of our disease is to disable the denial process.

 

[calibob]

Good morning one and all. I was starting to get depressed because of the few people that have posted here. I've been trying to briefly cover one step at a time and for the sake of the educational variety of the spiritual experience share a little of my education with you all. An open meeting means anyone can share regardless of education, experience, disorder/disease or 12 step affiliation. We are not an alcoholics/addicts only meeting but all who suffer and/or are overcoming this mixed combination of diseases' are free to share. We only ask that you give the glory to the one and only true God.

The idea here is simple. an open 24 hour 12 step meeting for Christians of all denominations to share what we feel inappropriate to share in church. So called polite society that prefer to walk around in denial with blinders on and fail to acknowledge that Christians suffer too. We do and we know it. The Lord said "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, I will give you rest." Not "go get your own act together first." Come on, please step up, share you experience, strength and faith. It may save someone's life... or even yours!

I'm still calibob. I'm still gratefully recovering from addictive, clinical mental and or emotional disorders and I'm still praising the Lord in public for small blessings. Who's next?

 

[Bingo]

"Thanks for sharing. Those of us that have found their way into a 12 step recovery
program, have crossed paths with all walks of life. The spiritual aspect along with the AA
principles, I am truly grateful of. Respect and brotherly love of one another are powerful
fundamentals that put us in a positive position to cope with and improve our daily lives."
'Praise God'

 

[calibob]

 

[Bingo]

The Solution:

The solution is to become your own loving parent

As ACA becomes a safe place for you, you will find freedom to express all the hurts and fears you have kept inside and to free yourself from the shame and blame that are carryovers from the past. You will become an adult who is imprisoned no longer by childhood reactions. You will recover the child within you, learning to accept and love yourself.

The healing begins when we risk moving out of isolation. Feelings and buried memories will return. By gradually releasing the burden of unexpressed grief, we slowly move out of the past. We learn to re-parent ourselves with gentleness, humor, love and respect.
This process allows us to see our biological parents as the instruments of our existence. Our actual parent is a Higher Power whom some of us choose to call God. Although we had alcoholic or dysfunctional parents, our Higher Power gave us the Twelve Steps of Recovery.

This is the action and work that heals us: we use the Steps; we use the meetings; we use the telephone. We share our experience, strength, and hope with each other. We learn to restructure our sick thinking one day at a time. When we release our parents from responsibility for our actions today, we become free to make healthful decisions as actors, not reactors. We progress from hurting, to healing, to helping. We awaken to a sense of wholeness we never knew was possible.
By attending these meetings on a regular basis, you will come to see parental alcoholism or family dysfunction for what it is: a disease that infected you as a child and continues to affect you as an adult. You will learn to keep the focus on yourself in the here and now. You will take responsibility for your own life and supply your own parenting.

You will not do this alone. Look around you and you will see others who know how you feel. We will love and encourage you no matter what. We ask you to accept us just as we accept you.

This is a spiritual program based on action coming from love. We are sure that as the love grows inside you, you will see beautiful changes in all your relationships, especially with God, yourself, and your parents.

"Amen"..........Thank you for sharing!.......
'Praise God'

 

[calibob]

Thanks @Bingo in leu of an amen button I use the green check mark and thumbs up for thanks for sharing. I just saves time and space.

 

[Bingo]

Good morning one and all. I was starting to get depressed because of the few people that have posted here. I've been trying to briefly cover one step at a time and for the sake of the educational variety of the spiritual experience share a little of my education with you all. An open meeting means anyone can share regardless of education, experience, disorder/disease or 12 step affiliation. We are not an alcoholics/addicts only meeting but all who suffer and/or are overcoming this mixed combination of diseases' are free to share. We only ask that you give the glory to the one and only true God.

The idea here is simple. an open 24 hour 12 step meeting for Christians of all denominations to share what we feel inappropriate to share in church. So called polite society that prefer to walk around in denial with blinders on and fail to acknowledge that Christians suffer too. We do and we know it. The Lord said "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, I will give you rest." Not "go get your own act together first." Come on, please step up, share you experience, strength and faith. It may save someone's life... or even yours!

I'm still calibob. I'm still gratefully recovering from addictive, clinical mental and or emotional disorders and I'm still praising the Lord in public for small blessings. Who's next?

"Make no mistake, this 'thread' you got underway is a much needed 'look at life' for anyone from all
walks of life. One by one by one...they shall come. Confused and bewildered lives are many...
and having found a solution, as some of us have, by the grace of God have come to share our experience,
strengths and hopes....others are welcome to share as we are all here to learn, appreciate, give of
ourselves, respect and to share our love of God, and one another. No more...no less."
'Praise God'

 

[calibob]

Thanks Bob. I really needed that!

 

[calibob]

Fresh from NIMH>
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Overview

PTSD is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm. Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger.

It can come from child abuse, Rape, physical or emotional trauma, shell shock, or death of a loved one. Some symptoms include>
Flashbacks Depression Paranoia
Sleep disorders Vigilant sleep Anger
Over reacting under stress Emotional or psychic numbing
Self deceiving or self punishing patterns of behavior.
Revenge fantasies Survivor remorse Guilt
Inability to be emotionally available Psychosis
Sexual problems Suicidal ideation

Unfortunately the list goes on and on. However help is available if the victim has the ability to face the past. Most often it's not their fault. Bad things often happen to good people. Love and understanding is required by care givers here. Easy does it, one day at a time. Be gentle on ourselves and or them. Let kindness gently help them/us overcome.>

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those mourn for they shall be comforted."
Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy"

It might be best to consult a physician, remember Luke was a physician> Colossians 4:14 "Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings."

The Lord uses doctors! The twelve steps are not a substitute for sound medical advice or good medicine used properly.

 

[Bingo]

"Let us be reminded...some of us are living life in the NOW......from this side of the 'glass'..
I have learned over much time, my selfish ways were not working too well. It is disturbing
how many of the man mind EGO...live with untold illusions and imagination, and are in
utter contempt of striving to live in the NOW...by applying God's 'principles' of life by the
practice of spiritual discipline of attitudes and behavior...and...there are many unfortunates
that have not the capacity to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct their lives."

 

[Bingo]

Thanks Bob. I really needed that!

 

[calibob]

It might be best to consult a physician, remember Luke was a physician> Colossians 4:14 "Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings."

The Lord uses doctors! The twelve steps are not a substitute for sound medical advice or good medicine used properly.

Be advised a psychriast IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR! That's why they can legally write prescriptions.