AA Sobriety Success Rate
Some of the critics claim that modern A.A. has a dismally low success rate, only 5% or less.
The statistics cannot be supported either from U.S. government research or from A.A.’s own careful records.
THE CORRECT FIGURE IS A CLOSE TO 36% SUCCESS RATE, when measured in the same way that the government would evaluate success in treating diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.
The 95% dropout rate [claimed by some of A.A.'s modern critics] is inaccurate and based on flawed statistics.
Rather than 5% of A.A. members remaining at the end of one year a more accurate estimate is that 36% remain attending A.A. at the end of...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - June 15, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism AA General Service Office flawed statistics success rate Source Type: blogs
The Alcoholic Dry Drunk
The Psycho-Dynamics of the ‘’Dry Drunk”
The term “dry drunk” is used by alcoholics to describe an emotional state with which they must cope while maintaining sobriety over an extended period. This emotional state is characterised by depression, impatience, intolerance, irritability, nervousness, occasional confusion, and an irrational desire to resume drinking.
Avoidance of people is the most characteristic behaviour of the ‘dry drunk’. Unavoidable contacts being handled with sarcasm and personal criticism.
Some alcoholics experience broad alterations of physical activity during the period of the “dry drunk...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - June 10, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Recovery dry drunk emotional state maintaining sobriety Source Type: blogs
I Tried Tranquillisers
For those who care to hear, I’d like to report my experience with a popular tranquilliser.
Sober two years in Alcoholics Anonymous, this form of medication, acceptable to many people, was introduced to me by a physician who seemed to know his business, I was in his care for a kidney ailment and he had secured my trust. When he suggested the tranquilliser as a remedy for my symptoms of nervousness, which he perceived in treating me for the kidney ailment, I informed him I was in AA and that I feared addiction to it. “Tranquillisers,” I said, “are frowned on in AA,”
He laughed. “Don’t you know that tranquilli...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - June 9, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Drugs Medications Recovery popular tranquilliser Source Type: blogs
Your Wounded Spirit
Symptoms of a Wounded Spirituality
The relationship within our ‘self’ of body, mind and emotions shapes our ability to relate to other people, and to the spiritual power in the universe.
Depression, addictions, compulsive behaviour and low self-esteem are but symptoms, signs of a broken relationship within our ‘self’. They are symptoms of a ‘wounded spirit’.
When this connection between our body, mind and emotions is broken, our ability, our ‘response-ability’, to respond healthily to life’s circumstances is limited.
In recovery our task is to identify and undo the broken parts of ourselves and learn to r...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - June 9, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Addictions Adult Children of Alcoholics Alcoholism Codependency Drugs Emotions Gambling Recovery Sexuality Spirituality compulsive behaviour and low self-esteem depression spiritual power wounded spirituality Source Type: blogs
The 12 Step D Program
The 12 Step AA Way of Life
We know that the letter “D” stands for quite a number of things, of which concern alcoholics, such as “drunk,” “debilitated,” “delirious” and “dead”. But did you know that the essence of each of the Twelve Steps (see below) of the AA program can be summed up in one word, each beginning with the letter “D”?
The First Step speaks of how we were DEFEATED, completely defeated by alcohol.
The Second Step shows that we still had enough DISCERNMENT left to recognise that somewhere beyond this mad mental climate we had created for ourselves, there was a Power which could help us b...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - June 8, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Recovery AA way of life DEFEATED Source Type: blogs
A.A.’s FREEDOMS
My search for freedom had many twists and turns
I Craved Freedom
First, freedom to drink;
later, freedom from drink.
The A.A. program of recovery rests on a foundation of free choice.
There are no mandates, laws or commandments. A.A.’s spiritual program, as outlined in the Twelve Steps, and by which I am offered even greater freedoms, is only suggested. I can take it or leave it.
Sponsorship is offered, not forced, and I come and go as I will.
It is these and other freedoms that allow me to recapture the dignity that was crushed by the burden of drink, and which is so dearly needed to support an enduring sobriety.
Just...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - June 8, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Sobriety Sponsorship craved freedom program of recovery Twelve Steps Source Type: blogs
Spicy Sexuality
Eat Your Way to a Spicier Sexuality
Turn up the heat with these sensuously sweet and delicious aphrodisiacs.
People in recovery from alcoholism, addiction, co-dependency and gambling etc., may need to assess their dietary needs especially in relation to sexuality.
When your love life is lacking, you’re tempted to try almost anything to reignite the spark. Well one answer may lie as close as what’s on your plate.
For centuries, the smell, taste, and appearance of food has been touted as passion-producing.
Certain foods are reputed to strip away inhibitions, put you in the mood for lovemaking, or improve blood flow t...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - June 6, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Food Recovery Sexuality delicious aphrodisiacs Spicier Sex Life Source Type: blogs
AAA Recovery
Action A Day At A Time. Action in the Alcoholics Anonymous program.
Life for us in Alcoholics Anonymous can only be lived this wonderful, 24-hour way, but, for me it is a must in recovery.
I used to listen to members talking about “First things first” – “Daytime Compartments” – “Easy does it” – all wonderful verbal guides to contented and continued sobriety but it was not until I added another A to AA. That life became even liveable for me the extra A stood for Action.
In my early years in AA I was always going to try tomorrow. “I would take a drink right now because I was so ill but tomorro...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - June 4, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Recovery Action A Day At A Time Alcoholics Anonymous program Source Type: blogs
Recovery for Alcoholic Women
Factors that Foster and Hinder the Process of Recovery for Alcoholic Women.
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, potentially fatal disease that crosses gender, race, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic strata.
Much of what is known about the disease of alcoholism has been uncovered studying male alcoholics.
A phenomenological study was undertaken to identify those contextual factors that fostered and hindered the process of recovery for alcohol dependent women.
Criteria for participation in the study were: women self-identifying as recovering from alcoholism, aged 25 years and older, able to converse and write in English...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - June 2, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Spirituality Treatment Women African-American alcohol dependent chronic fatal disease lesbian Native American progressive Source Type: blogs
Alcoholism Contradictions
The alcoholic represents many things to many people, but, they are the world’s supreme paradox with their contradictions in thought and behaviour.
Alcoholism is a disease that tells its sufferer that they are not an alcoholic. The evidence may be in the following behaviours;
They go to a bar knowing that they won’t find what they are looking for.
They are looking for happiness and freedom from fear, but find only despair.
They will trade freedom of choice for a drink.
They search frantically for courage in a bottle, but find only hopelessness and yet still drink.
They know from experience that alcohol makes the poor p...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - May 31, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Disease alcoholism is a disease paradox Source Type: blogs
Alcoholics Anonymous: A review of the Big Book
Alcoholics Anonymous: A review of group’s book; Nov. 2, 1939; The Big Book review
November 2, 1939 Cleveland Plain Dealer
In a recent series, Mr. Davis told of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization of former drinkers banded together to beat the liquor habit. This is the first of two final articles on the subject.
The Book
When 100 members of Alcoholics Anonymous, the extraordinary fellowship of men and women who have cured themselves of “incurable” alcoholism by curing each other and adopting a “spiritual way of life,” had established their cures to the satisfaction of their physicians, famili...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - May 25, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholism Higher Power Spirituality Big Book review former drinkers Source Type: blogs
Self Injury Video
Demi Moore
This is a wonderful video about Self Injury from Face The Issue narrated by Demi Moore.
The following is a quote from a self injurer who trying to find freedom from their addiction.
I really sorta want to start cutting again.
the urges have come back…
i mean, i dont particularly enjoy passing out or being that weir lightheaded feeling,
and lord knows i dont need more scars,
but lately ive just really wanted to start cutting again,
and since i have refained from cutting i end up hurting myself in other ways, like almost breaking bones,
or when i have them, losing myself in an opiate fog and taking half a bo...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - May 24, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Adult Children of Alcoholics Men Sexuality Women Youth cutting Demi Moore scars self injury Source Type: blogs
Sexuality Facts
Recovering people may be wondering about their sexuality. This list of sexuality facts may help.
How often?
According to the National Opinion Research Center, the average couple reports having sex 66 times a year. Married adults under age 30 say they have sex an average of 109 times a year. The average number drops to 70 times per year for 40-somethings and 52 times a year for people in their 50s.
Arousal?
Experts say women’s sexual inclinations are more complicated than men’s. While men are very rigid and specific about who they become aroused by, women have less-directed sex drives. Researchers say wo...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - May 24, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Men Recovery Relationships Sexuality Women arousal ejaculation Length of penis Masturbation oral sex Source Type: blogs
What is a Sponsor.
An AA sponsor listens to new people as well as to old-timers.
He loves talking to people looking for help and patiently explains to new and old alike that a “sponsor” is really a harsher word for “friend.” Sponsors, seemingly, have nothing to do – but are always there when needed. When they converse with us they are patient with our impatience. They never say, “you had better” or “your are heading for your next drunk.” If you are listening, you will hear them softly say, “Easy does it and “First things first” quite a lot.
Sponsors sometimes look like an unmade bed and sometimes like fashion-plat...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - May 23, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Alcoholics Anonymous Sponsorship AA sponsor easy does it First Things First Source Type: blogs
AA and Al-Anon Relationship
Alcoholics Anonymous Guidelines Relationship Between AA and Al-Anon (from AA GSO New York)
The Fellowships of Alcoholic Anonymous and the Al-Anon Family Groups have a unique relationship. They are naturally drawn together by their close family ties, and yet the Twelve Traditions, the General Service Boards, and the General Service
Conferences of both Fellowships suggest that each functions more effectively if it remains “separate” co-operating but not affiliating with the other.
Each Fellowship has always had its own General Service Board, General Service Office, Conference, Publishing Company and World Directory. Ea...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - May 22, 2013 Category: Addiction Authors: Sparrow Tags: Al-anon Alateen Alcoholics Anonymous Relationships Al-Anon Family Groups Source Type: blogs
