A New Beginning

Happy New Year!!

An appropriate day for all addicts in recovery and those still suffering in their disease. As the 12 Step programs remind us, we must take our recovery one day at a time. Dwelling on our past actions while our disease was active can stymie the progress of recovery. Planning too far into the future can frighten and frustrate us, giving us a "what's the use" attitude. Remaining focused on today, right now, helps us focus on the important things in our lives...relationships with our loved ones, recovering family, and our Higher Power. Focusing on doing the "next right thing" to the exclusion of all the other petty, unimportant distractions bombarding us from all sides significantly decreases the stress and anxiety that can lead us back to using the "thing" (chemicals, food, activity, or relationship) we compulsively use to relieve the stress we experience in our lives.

If you have a relationship with someone struggling with addiction, make a New Year resolution to seek help in getting that person into treatment. As professional health care providers, we have an ethical, professional, and moral obligation to intervene. The only "wrong thing" we can do is nothing. If you're not sure where to start, contact me. I'll help you develop a plan.

If you think you have a problem with drugs, alcohol, or another problem imparing your ability to practice safely, contact me NOW! There IS hope and you are NOT alone!

Jack
jack@jackstem.com
513-833-4584