Newcomers to recovery receive generally the same welcome no matter which fellowship they join: They’re greeted with a hug, the promise that they don’t have to live a life of pain and desperation any longer, and they’re given a REALLY big book.
In Alcoholics Anonymous, for example, the “Big Book” clocks in at just around 600 pages. For an alcoholic who can barely get up and get dressed in the morning, reading it can seem like an overwhelming feat.
When you add to the “To Do” list finding a sponsor, working the steps, making amends, and all the other normal tasks of a productive life, and many people give up rather than take it all on!
But the good news is, you don’t have to do it all in your first days of sobriety — and definitely not all at the same time. In early recovery, and even years later, the best thing to do is keep it simple.
Old-timers, or people who have a long period of sobriety or clean time, like to say, “Go to meetings, and don’t drink or use between meetings.”
Others simplify that even further, and warn, “Don’t drink or use no matter what.”
You might also hear, “Trust God, clean house, and help others,” as a simple recipe for staying on track.
As your recovery grows, you’ll find your own guidelines for building a meaningful life free from addiction, with the help of other members of your fellowship, your sponsor and your higher power. Over time, your life will grow and change, but it will always stay solidly based upon the foundation of those simple suggestions.
Getting clean and sober can seem like an impossible achievement, but Clean Path Behavioral Health can make it simple. Contact us today to see how we can help you.