CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

Those who have been following and doing the suggested homework, should have 2 lists of questions and answers by now. There's a reason you'll learn at the end of this chapter. Please remember that recovery doesn't come through osmosis in our sleep. A strong foundation takes diligent work.

Continued from CRA page 439.>

Describe the patterns of your emotional and/or psychiatric problems. Do they vacillate or appear and disappear? Are you ever totally free of them?

Do you try and hide your condition from others while pretending everything is fine and dandy? How?

Have you ever tried to regain control of the way you think and feel without help? How?

Have you ever sought or received professional help?

What kind of treatment have you discovered are helpful?

Have you stopped receiving that help?

Have you ever relapsed because your symptoms returned? Tell yourself the truth and describe or explain what really happened.

Here's the reason for two lists... Comparison between them will enlighten your perspective about what is really going on.

Addictions are neurological and most often behavioral and physical as well take over eating, anorexia, and or bulimia for examples. Do you throw up or over eat when you are upset?
Mental and or emotional problemes start in the brain but usually are made worse by abuse of toxic substances. That's why now addiction has been classified as a mental illness. That's why we should treat both!

We should feel good about ourselves, others and the ways we treat them. Is there a history of substance abuse or other emotional/mental disorders within our families or significant others? What about co dependency? Have any effected our health, finances, or caused legal or childcare problems. Step away from denial and tell yourself the truth. For now it's only between you and God.

The bottom line is, we need God. Accept no substitutes! Thats step two. Came to believe is the next step.

Correction Continued from CRA post 439>441

[/QUOTE]
In step two we find the hope by identifying the source of hope and help that we need. Our one and only Creator, His Son and Holy Spirit. If we make one up we will know deep down inside, we are asking for help from make believe. God is not a mean old man hiding behind a cloud waiting to strike us dead. He is kind and loving to those who choose and love him. He has the power and authority to change lives. Just read the testimonies of some Christians who have recovered.


Yes it's true. Can you cook, write, or play an instrument? Did you not follow instructions? The step are the instructions. Let God help you follow them, Jesus has already paid the price for us. Now let him lead the way.

I see we have some followers. The idea was to have an ongoing 12 step meeting and dispense some information along the way. We/I would really like to see some more sharing we'd like to read some sharing along the way. for the purpose of encouragement, faith, love, hope and fellowship..

Viewers are many but contributors are few. As the OP, I am getting discouraged by the lack of response. The collaborators and myself were trying to begin an open meeting for people who suffer from Multiple diagnosis's not to only write a recovery manual. In short we ask you to please share. What you have to say may save someone's life. I'm calibob, this meeting is still open.

"We are not a sociological entity, although sociologists find us fascinating. We are not a therapy group, although remarkable healing takes place among us. And we are not a religion, even though some people want to see us as such ... We are a spiritual entity. Never doubt the profound significance of this 'spiritual consciousness' within
the lives of not only myself, but the many that I have seen and heard that stand by this truth."
'Praise God'

Thank you for sharing. I don't have to see eye to eye. We just have to see for ourselves. Recovery is not a theory it's a fact. The fact is we learn from each other. We are all different as Chevys and Volks Wagons.

"Acceptance is the key to my relationship with God today. I never just sit and do nothing while waiting for Him to tell me what to do. Rather, I do whatever is in front of me to be done, and I leave the results up to Him; however it turns out, that's God's will for me."

Acceptance is the answer, co pg. 417 AA 4th edition.

@Dillon93 here we are, just say hi! I'm still composing and editing a testimony about; What it was like, what happened and what it's like now. I think I will post it in the testimonies forum within a week or two. I'll post the link here when it's up. Keep coming back and Praising the Lord! He is the Rock of Recovery!

Copy pasted from the singles home thread. May 27 2019 >

Today. 42 years ago this weekend I realized I was saved. It was the evening before Pentecost Sunday, May 29th. 1977. I had said the sinners prayer several times and had given up on mainstream churches. I had started reading one of those KJV pocket new testaments and attending services at the 'Long Beach Rescue Mission' on Sundays, & attending bible studies at night in 'Cherry Park' in Long Beach as well. The joys seemed temporary. That night I asked the Lord if he was real please prove it to me. The spirit came upon me that night. I never doubted again.

Admittedly, I had issues with mental health, abandonment and substance abuse however the Lord never left me or forsake me. About 11 years ago I decided to become a recovery worker, I wasn't concerned about money much so I volunteered, went back to college, interned and got certified in Cal State in the substance abuse field. Times, finances and health changed however.

My Arthritis got so bad I could barely walk or stand. I came to Oklahoma and my family soon followed. We I reunited within a couple months after. The cost of living here is 40% lower and rent is over 60 % lower for a family of six now.. I got a knee operation in 2011 and declined opioids for pain. It was quite a struggle but I'm still drug free 8 years later. I joined CC May 29 last year and started CRA 2 months ago tomorrow. I've got a lot to be thankful for today. I just wanted to share. PTL.

I'm calibob and that's how it is today. How's your life today?
luke 15:10>
"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

I got a knee operation in 2011 and declined opioids for pain. It was quite a struggle but I'm still drug free 8 years later.
Just to clarify; The operation was 8 years ago. I've been clean and sober over 11 years.

"Amen'.........."Thanks for sharing!"
'Praise God'

On the last day, on the day of accountability, what questions will God most likely ask us?

So we can prepare for them

What have you done with what I have given you?

Many of us that used drugs like alcohol had learned to do so because we’d rather feel nothing than bad. Subconsciously we had been using our substance of choice as medication without realizing or admitting it. We felt more level and grounded a short while until the psychoactive effects of the substances took over resulting in temporary insanity. This is progressive as tolerance increased the desire for it increased until it became toxic. On the other hand, if we developed a behavioral disorder like gambling, porn or overeating. It turned into an obsessive-compulsive disorder as well.

After we tried to quit the feelings we tried to escape from, became magnified and life felt like a runaway rollercoaster. This often results in relapse. Sometimes suicide can make sense as we feel we’d rather be dead than feel the ways that we do. With relapse comes guilt and shame. They also often lead to suicide as a final solution. Having someone to share our recovery with, like a sponsor that has experience feeling those ways can be a great asset, even a life saver. Depending on our level of addiction and the type of substances or behaviors we became addicted to, someone with a similar background would be indicated or suggested. If one hasn’t been found yet. A study or trudging buddy would be a great idea. Predators know meetings are filled with potential new customers. Every meeting I’ve ever went to had a liquor store or bar very nearby, or on the way home.

I know all of these things because they happened to me, as well as to many others I’ve known and shared with. Even hearing someone share about the bad old days often becomes a trigger. Getting or giving someone a ride to and from meetings can be a safety precaution. Besides it’s great having some to talk with is always comforting. That’s my morning two bits worth. This meeting is open. Thank you all for dropping by. I’m Calibob.

I have been attending meetings for just over thirty years now. The first few years I went just to listen, and I had not yet found or been gifted the willingness to stop using mind and mood altering substances. But I did listen, even if I did not hear the solution, for that is not what I was listening for at first. When I started going to meetings, I was attracted by people telling the truth about their challenges and struggles in living life on life's terms, drawn to the truth I heard of their suffering, and the pain they experienced in their life situations, their perceived failures and inability to live up to other people's expectations, and even their own. I listened to this for years, for they were articulating for me things I could not put into words for myself. I listened to find common ground, I listened for shared values, and I listened to find myself in their stories so that I could better understand myself and my own suffering.

Then the miracle happened. After twenty four years of not knowing how to live without using drugs and alcohol, I stopped. I became willing to stop using mind and mood altering substances after crying out to God for help, not for help to stop using, but for help to stop hurting, and help to stop being drawn into unsolvable life situations that caused me unending pain. I had a lot to learn about having healthy boundaries, and how to start expressing my own feelings, and my own truths. That is an ongoing process, and I have made a lot of progress in learning how to live life on life's terms, and especially in turning to God for help, and relying on Him and His wisdom, and His plan for my life.

I love going to meetings, and listening to people share their experiences, strength, and hope. I find fellowship, inspiration, encouragement, humor, friends and acquaintances from all walks of life, and am especially grateful for my church family, who have been invaluable in sharing their perspectives and God's love with me when I have struggled with feelings of shame around how I lived while I was lost. I choose to live in the present, a present that embraces hope for the future, with someone who loves me, and whom I love, and I praise God for the gift of life and the love I have found.

Thanks. That was wonderful. I just put up my CRA testimony in testimonies. I exceed the limit twice but I wrote it in 3 sections anyways. We can figure out how to put the link in my siggy later. I would have loved to have had more reactions for you but you know how it goes. TTFN, Cali.

i intend this to be a thread, but oh well ...

Jeremiah 17:9 - the human heart is desperately wicked, deceitful above all things

caution: these questions are extremely convicting, no need to share if uncomfortable, I just get sick and tired of my over-analytical thinking on topics like "motives"



is the heart trying to "conjure up" a more "pure" motive, to try to cover up impure motives?

what impure motives would the heart be trying to hide, cover up or suppress?




if you are unable to detect the exact motive, is it possible that your motive lack pure love for God?

if you ask God to purify your motive, and surrender your heart to God, would there be a reason to "be careful what you wish for"?

if yes, you can answer to yourself what that would be,

if no, can you give thanks to God, because God have given you the possibility of "pure motive" no matter how temporary it may be?


I'm trying to end "over-thinking" for this topic, once and for all, if even this is a failed attempt, please provide better suggestions, thank you