Welcome to AA STUFF - History and more.

Welcome to AA STUFF - History and more.

Here is a list of links to pages that we find interest in. They may be temperance, AA, Al-anon, Oxford Group or other relations. We do not necessarily agree with content on these pages, they are merely hear for informational purposes and sometimes amusement.

Commentary: My life as a 'Mighty Hermaphrodite' - CNN.com

Commentary: My life as a 'Mighty Hermaphrodite' - CNN.com

A lot of people have been outraged by the gender verification testing that South African athlete Caster Semenya has been put through, and have been trying to be supportive of her; but in doing so, they often further prejudice against the very thing which she appears to be: intersex.
Hida Viloria says she looks forward to a day when intersex conditions like hers are widely accepted.

Hida Viloria says she looks forward to a day when intersex conditions like hers are widely accepted.

Intersex people (formerly known as hermaphrodites) are those born with bodies that are difficult to classify as either "male" or "female."

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcohol and substance abuse.

Alcoholic liver disease is an important cause of cirrhosis, liver-associated death, and need for liver transplant. Up to 50% of recipients use some alcohol, and perhaps 10% drink addictively.

God As We Understood Him

God As We Understood Him

Bill concludes: “We finally began to talk about the possibility of compromise. . . . In Step Two we decided to describe God as a ‘Power greater than ourselves.’ In Steps Three and Eleven we inserted the words ‘God as we understood Him.’ From Step Seven he deleted the words ‘on our knees.’

Professional Relationship

Professional Relationship

Therapeutic Alliance

In TSF, the facilitator is seen as an expert in interpersonal counseling techniques and as knowledgeable in the principles and practicalities of 12-step fellowships.

However, in TSF the facilitator is not regarded as the primary agent of change; rather, it is the 12-step fellowship (AA or NA) that is seen as the agent of change.

Professional education

Professional education

Brief-TSF is a professionally written continuing professional education program for healthcare workers.

Violence and Abuse - Health Concerns - Health Canada

Violence and Abuse - Health Concerns - Health Canada

Violence occurs in various contexts, including homes, schools, neighbourhoods and communities, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, class, ethnic background, religious or spiritual group membership, physical and mental ability or place of residence.

What Can You Do?

If you are being abused, have been abused, or know someone who is being abused, you can contact the following services in your community for help:

Gambling Addiction Expert Says Treatment Tops Prohibition | Reuters

Gambling Addiction Expert Says Treatment Tops Prohibition | Reuters

"Treatment, not prohibition, is the best way to treat problem gamblers," said
Joanna Franklin, who has designed and delivered clinical training programs in
45 states, 10 Canadian provinces, 31 Indian tribes and nine countries outside
the United States.

"Problem gamblers are not without options.  They will go to a racetrack or
casino or the Internet if they can't find a video gaming machine," 

The Second Road Family » Blame

The Second Road Family » Blame
“Have you blamed others for something for which your own codependency was responsible?”

Risks of Buying Drugs Online

Risks of Buying Drugs Online -
Health Canada Information Update 2009-08-07
While legitimate online Canadian businesses are an option to consider, the online purchase of any drug poses the potential for serious health risks, especially when drugs are shipped directly to Canadian consumers from sources outside of Canada. Consumers should be aware that some Internet sites may falsely claim to be Canadian, and consumers can identify if a drug has been shipped to them from a foreign country by checking the shipping information on the exterior of the package.

Stages of Alcoholism - KFSM

Stages of Alcoholism - KFSM

Three major stages of alcoholism and how it works.

There is some debate over how many stages there are in alcoholism, but let's go with the three major stages--early (a.k.a. adaptive), middle, and end (a.k.a. late). It's important to understand the main parts of each stage.

15 Year old Alcoholic in AA

15 Year old Alcoholic in AA

Al-Anon 12-Step Recovery Program: Love It Or Leave It

For those who don't know or have never heard of Al-anon, it is a 12-step recovery program that is the counter-part to the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step recovery program. It was initiated by Lois Wilson (the wife of Bill Wilson; one of the original founders of Alcoholics Anonymous) as a safe haven and support group for anyone who is dealing with a loved ones alcoholism (and/or drug addiction)

I have been attending Al-anon meetings for 20 years and came away from my first meeting thinking..."What a bunch of losers, as well as... I heard some interesting things here."

As a professional family substance abuse counselor, I encourage my clients to attend Al-anon and find out if it is something they wish to incorporate in their recovery. Some swear by it, others are shunned.

I have compiled a list of 16 opinions; 8 hip-hip hooray! 8 bah humbug!

See these at; The Huffington Post

Also see; Thank you and I invite you to visit my website at www.familyrecoverysolutions.com

• See also;
• Al-Anon May be able to help
• 12 Step Sponsor
• 12-Step Speaker Tape Links
• Help an Alcoholic 1
• Naranon or Narateen

Beyond Co-dependency: And Getting Better All the Time by Melody Beattie

Understanding Co-Dependency by Sharon Wegscheider-Cruse

Dual Recovery Anonymous

Dual Recovery Anonymous is an independent, nonprofessional, twelve step, self-help fellowship organization for people with a dual diagnosis. Our goal is to help men and women who experience a dual illness. We are chemically dependent (alcoholic / addict) and we are also affected by an emotional or psychiatric illness. Both illnesses affect us in all areas of our lives; physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually.

The many terms of dual disorders

The term dual diagnosis is often used interchangeably with the terms co-morbidity, co-occurring illnesses, concurrent disorders, comorbid disorders, co-occurring disorder, dual disorder, and, double trouble. Professional literature has used a confusing array of terms and acronyms to describe co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis.

Many problems

Individuals who experience a dual diagnosis often face a wide range of psychosocial issues and may experience multiple interacting illnesses (more than two). The term "co-occurring disorders" is becoming a common term used to refer to dual diagnosis, or co-occurring substance abuse disorders and psychiatric or emotional illnesses.

Dual Recovery Anonymous defines "dual diagnosis" as meaning that an individual has two separate but very interrelated diagnoses:

1. A psychiatric diagnosis
2. A substance abuse diagnosis which may include both drugs and alcohol

An individual is in dual recovery when they are actively following a program that focuses on their recovery needs for both their chemical dependency and their psychiatric illness.

Our Second Tradition states that: "D.R.A. has two requirements for membership;

1. a desire to stop using alcohol and other intoxicating drugs, and
2. a desire to manage our emotional or psychiatric illness in a healthy and constructive way."

More at; Dual Recovery Anonymous

See also;

• What is anxiety?
• What is alcoholism?
• Al-Anon May be able to help
• Dual Diagnosis Anonymous
• A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
• Relapse is never an accident

The Dual Disorders Recovery Book by Anonymous Anonymous

The Twelve Steps And Dual Disorders: A Framework Of Recovery For Those Of Us With Addiction & An Emotional Or Psychiatric Illness by Pat Samples

Alcoholism, ACOA Top Posts

Many articles have proved very popular over the last few years. These are the most popular.

• Alcohol and Sexuality
• 10 Masturbation Myths
• 10 Reasons for Low Libido
• 12-Step Speaker Tape Links
• 7 Effective Ways To Deal With Difficult People
• About
• Alcohol Related Brain Injury
• Alcohol side effects
• Alcoholic Family Roles
• Better Oral Sex
• Cannabis and mental health
• Character Defects
• Characteristics of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA’s)
• Dysfunctional family
• Erotic Fantasy
• Foreplay Before Play
• Learn to recognize stress
• Lotus Eaters and Marijuana
• Male and Female Condoms
• Mature Women and Sex
• Most Effective Form of Harm Reduction
• Porn Addiction
• Relapse is never an accident
• Sensual Massage
• Sex for Men Over 50
• Sex is Good for your Health
• Signs and symptoms of eating disorders
• The Grief Club
• The Sexual G-spot, Male and Female
• Where do you have sex?
• Which sexual acts can transmit HIV?
• Women’s Sexual Fantasies
• Women’s Sexual Arousal

No to Guilt

Today I will say no without guilt.

Today I will say no whenever it is in my best interests to do so.  Just as important, I will say no without feeling guilty or fearful.

My attempts to separate from my parents we met with threats of abandonment.  As a result, I learned to avoid having my own opinion for fear of rejection. 

Deep within me now, I feel a strong desire to become my own person, to stand free of all unhealthy attachments and discover who I am.  When I disregard my limitations and permit others to violate my boundaries, I harm myself.

Today I will love myself enough to say no when I find it necessary.  I will reassure the child within me that those who truly love me will not abandon me when I must tell them no.  No matter what the response, today I will treat myself well by saying no without guilt and fear.

- From “Affirmations for the Inner Child” by Rokelle Lerner

Affirmations for the Inner Child

Kids of Addiction

Documentary gives children of addicts a voice

Children in homes in which parents use illegal drugs live in the shadows. They often are abused, neglected or become users themselves. A documentary by local filmmaker Susan Reetz is bringing their lives into the light.

Reetz released "Living in Shadows: The Innocent Victims of Meth" in September, hoping to raise awareness of the issues children face living in a home where illegal drugs are used. That life was brought into focus last week when three children were removed from a home in Schofield where drugs reportedly were present.

Reetz interviewed children, parents and grandparents who have been affected by drug use. They talk about emotional and physical neglect, sexual abuse, violence and living with drugs.

"A lot of people don't realize what kids go through when their parents are using, making and selling meth," Reetz said. "It's so prevalent in our community, and we want to sweep it under the rug. The only way we can make a difference is if our community is better informed."

Full story at The Daily Herald

See also;

• A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
• Adolescent Children of Alcoholics
• Naranon or Narateen
• If you have healthcare training this manual may help.
• Take care of yourself

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself

When Alcoholism Takes Over

I can never drink again. I am an alcoholic. Alcohol temporarily fills a hole inside me when I am feeling incomplete or unhappy. I have been sober for a few months, but could very easily get lost into it again if I were to re-indulge in that escape. Alcohol doesn’t fix my problems, but just temporarily numbs my conscious mind of acknowledging them. They will stay there. A fifth of vodka will only offer temporary relief.

Full story at Daily Nexus

See also;

• A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
• Al-Anon May be able to help
• Are You Living With A Compulsive Gambler?
• What can you do for your alcoholic? Suggestion 10

Alcohol & Other Drug Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous is a Haven of Hope and Peace

Twice-Gifted

My physical being has certainly undergone a transformation, but the major transformation has been spiritual. The hopelessness has been replaced by abundant hope and sincere faith. The people of Alcoholics Anonymous have provided a haven where, if I remain aware and keep my mind quiet long enough, my Higher Power leads me to amazing realizations. I find joy in my daily life, in being of service, in simply being. I have found rooms full of wonderful people, and for me each and every one of the Big Book's promises have come true. The things that I have learned from my own experience, from the Big Book, and from my friends in AA - patience, acceptance, honesty, humility, and true faith in a Power greater than myself - are the tools I use today to live my life, this precious life.

Today my life is filled with miracles big and small, not one of which would ever have come to pass had I not found the door of Alcoholics Anonymous.

From; The book Alcoholics Anonymous, page 475

See also;

• 12 Step Sponsor
• A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
• Disease Concept of Alcoholism
• Characteristics of Adult Children of Alcoholics

Types of 12-Step Meetings

Within Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous, Al-anon and Adult Children of Alcoholics there are 2 basic types of meetings for fellowship and recovery.

The two most common kinds of 12-Step meetings are:

OPEN MEETINGS: As the term suggests, meetings of this type are open to members and their families and to anyone interested in solving a personal problem or helping someone else to solve such a problem.

Most open meetings follow a more or less set pattern, although distinctive variations have developed in some areas. A chairperson describes the program briefly for the benefit of newcomers in the audience and calls speakers who relate their personal histories and may give their personal interpretation of the program

At the end of the meeting there is usually a period for local announcements, and a treasurer passes the hat to defray costs of the meeting hall, literature, and incidental expenses. Only members are allowed to make donations. The meeting adjourns, usually followed by informal chatting over coffee or other light refreshments.

CLOSED MEETINGS: These meetings are limited to members. They provide an opportunity for members to share with one another on problems related to their problems, patterns and attempts to achieve stable sobriety. They also permit detailed discussion of various elements in the recovery program.

Guests at open meetings are reminded that any opinions or interpretations they may hear are solely those of the speaker involved. All members are free to interpret the recovery program in their own terms, but none can speak for the local group or for that fellowship as a whole.

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12 Steps: A Spiritual Journey (Tools for Recovery) by Friends in Recovery Read more about this title...