Newsletter

May 2009 Some Reminders Some Helpful Numbers
Road to Recovery
Dosing hours Monday through AA - Alcoholics Anonymous
Friday are 5:30am to 10:30 am 214-887-6699
Counseling is available NA - Narcotics Anonymous
5:30 am to 12:30 pm 972-699-9306

www.dallasareana.org

Recovery is a Journey

"Oh my achin' Bones"

Medical science and very many persons' practical experience says our bodies change every decade. For instance, if a male is going to have a "beer gut" after being slim and trim their whole life, no matter how they eat, it will probably first show up about age 30. Then, that 20/20 vision goes at 40 and the teeth start falling apart at 50 and the arthritis kicks in at 60, etc. Drinking alcohol and abusing drugs only speeds up the process. Accepting and coping with these changes is not easy. It may even require some life-style changes. And, it is hard to adjust at "our age." The truth is, it is hard to adjust at any age. Dealing with life on life's terms is not comfortable.

And, it's not only our problems with health, it is everything in life that requires our attention and our coping. So, what can we do? First, how about talking with your counselor on a routine basis. For those of you reading this who are not seeing a counselor, this might be a good time to start talking more with your sponsor, or seeing a therapist, going to church more, or talking with your friends about the some important stuff and not just about the superficial things in our lives. Here's a brief list of things to talk about:

  • Things we are worried about or that scare us.
  • Things that create anger or just really bother you a lot.
  • Things that seem to make us sad.
  • And, how talking about the stuff that tends to excite or energize us. Take some time to share how that helps you cope with life.

How are we coping with life? These are troublesome times. Here are some questions to ask about whatever your strategy is:

  1. Does the strategy work? How much does it work?
  2. If it generally doesn't work, why do you keep using the same method of coping? Remember the recovery definition of "insanity?" When we do the same thing over and over expecting different results.
  3. If the strategy does work, does it have a negative side?
  4. Is there a cost to the strategy? How high is the cost?
  5. When does the strategy work best? Does it always work, or only sometimes?
  6. Are there any patterns to your strategies? Do the choices tend to match any of the following coping styles?
  • Do you tend to take action, face things head on, and try to solve the problem?
  • Do you tend to talk to somebody when you have difficulties?
  • Do you tend to lie low, avoiding or distancing yourself from the problem?
  • Do you tend to keep difficulties to yourself?
  • Do you tend to choose strategies with harmful consequences?
Rick B.


"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Confucius

"Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure."

Thomas Edison

"Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves."

James Allen

Clinic hours on Saturday are OA - Overeaters Anonymous
6:00 am to 9:00 am 512-327-2802
Closed on Sunday Problem Gamblers Help-Line
  800-742-0443
Please remember to bring SA - Sex/Love Addicts Annon.
your lock boxes. 800-477-8191

Coping Methods

Look at the list below and check the coping methods that apply to you and your tendencies:

I blame myself
I lie
I manipulate
I lay guilt trips on other people
I become perfectionist
I create chaos and drama around me
I see myself as inadequate
I shame myself
I create rigid boundaries
I give up on my boundaries
I sleep
I never sleep
I fantasize to escape
I exaggerate almost everything
I do things to excess
I abuse others
I neglect myself
I just don't think about it
I deny the impact of what's going on in my life
I lose sight of the facts
I play the "I didn't know" card
I imagine the worst possible thing that could happen
I trap myself with promises that I can't or won't keep
I become addicted to relationships and become over dependent on that other person

If you checked one or more boxes of these coping techniques, please make an appointment to see your counselor.

Rick B.


Suggested Book List

"Thinking Person's Guide to Sobriety"

by Bert Pluyman

"Boundaries: Where You End and I Begin"

by Anne Katherine

"Addiction and Grace"

by Dr. Gerald May

"Healing the Shame that Binds"

by John Bradshaw

"The Road Less Traveled"

by Scott Peck

"Bloom


Come to Group

We are Meeting Every
Saturday from
8:30 AM to 9:15 AM
and
Every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Mothers Against Meth-Amph.
866-293-8901
www.mamasite.net

Central Dallas Ministries
214-823-8710
www.hazelden.org
Hepatitis Information
hepatitisneighborhood.com
APAA
The Association of Persons
Affected by Addiction
www.apaarecovery.org
The Twelfth Step Ministry
214-706-9526
Lots of support groups of
various interests.
Visit their web site.
www.llumc.org
The Network of Community
Ministries
Assistance with food, clothing
972-234-8880
 
 
 
Texas Workforce Commission
972-288-2703
Baylor College of Dentistry
214-828-8440
Dallas Debtors Anonymous
972-504-6332
www.dfwda.org
Incest Survivors Anonymous
713-684-6747
www.siawso.org
 
ACUPUNCTURE
HERE NOW
The procedure is called auricular acupuncture. It is helpful for a variety of issues that affect those with addictions.
Please see your counselor.

STD Screening The Dallas County Health Department is offering screening for sexually transmitted diseases. The fee is $25. If you can't afford to pay the full amount, a payment plan can be arranged. Please call before 7:45 AM to schedule an appointment.
214-819-2000

HIV Testing Offered

Almost every Friday, a member of the HEI department from the Greater Dallas Counsel on Alcohol and Drug Abuse are here to offer free HIV testing. The test is called "OraQuick Advance." The test is based on saliva and you get your results in 20 minutes. The test is 99% accurate. All you do is come in and asked to be tested.

Foot Detox

Detox Spa

Cleanses your body of toxins.
30 minute treatment. Thirty dollars




Dr. Candace McDaniel
8021 East R.L. Thornton Fwy, Suite A
Dallas, Texas 75228

Call (214) 328-4848 or   for more information