When the lotus blooms-- a dialog of recovery

Pre Recovery -  Your Body - How do you feel today?  Did you wake up this morning, wishing you hadn't? Do you need to crawl to the bathroom and drink copious amounts of water? Are you telling your cat to please! do not stomp? Is there a small snare drum above your left eyebrow, pounding in time to your heart beat?  Did you wake this morning with a black eye, from someone who said "you made me mad." Is your back already tense from having to walk on eggshells? Is there a tightness in your chest that is slowly squeezing your soul?  Did you wake this morning sweating and shaking needing that next fix?  Are you nauseous? Vomiting? Do you think you might have the flu? Do your joints ache? Can you stop yawning? Do you really need to call your dealer?  Did you wake this morning realizing you could not sleep very much? Are you tired, tired, tired? Are you suddenly and totally ravenous? Are you down on the floor snorting chips of detritus, hoping they are bit...

PreRecovery - What is Addiction - Buddhism   In a scholarly article posted on the Religions web page in 2014, Paramabandhu Groves discussed the Buddhist Approaches to Addiction Recovery.    Paramabandhu Groves is a consultant psychiatrist working in the National Health Service in London, United Kingdom. He has lived and taught at the London Buddhist Centre for over twenty years.  Much of this post is based on his article, and the teachings of Fred Eppsteiner.   It is known that The Buddha was aware of addiction and commented on the affliction over 2600 years ago.  The Buddha's main focus was on relieving suffering. He saw addiction as part of suffering. The core teaching of the Buddha are comprised of Four Noble Truths, The first states: "Suffering or not being satisfied exists The second states: Craving is the source of suffering.  My prerecovery self could clearly identify with those statements.  What about you? Part of his teaching...

Pre-Recovery What is Addiction? Western view   In the Western Medicine there is a Book called the DSMV. The acronym stands for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. The manual is used by psychotherapists in the United States and in much of the world. It is considered to be the authoritative guide for Psychiatrists, Psychologists and other Mental Health Workers throughout the world.  The DSMV defines Addiction as:  Addiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence. People with addiction (severe substance use disorder) have an intense focus on using a certain substance(s), such as alcohol or drugs, to the point that it takes over their life. Notice the phrase "certain substances". Anything can become addictive.  Think for a moment, is religion addictive? can be. Is water? yes, I know of someone who was hospitalized because they consumed to much water. ...

Who is Coralee Hicks? In most 12 step groups, people do not mention their profession, time in recovery, education, or last name. The reasoning is the ideas shared in a meeting should be presented in an manner as unbiased as possible.  Not being aware of the usual status tags, it becomes easier for someone to listen without as much judgement.  A person might be more inclined to listen to a doctor speaking his truth, than a biker.  In fact I learned more from the biker. This is not a 12 step group.  This is you and I having a dialog about recovery. Here then is my full disclosure.  I do have an educational background that helps me share accrate information with you.  I have a Masters in Library Science, and a second Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling, focusing on Addictions. Most of my professional life was spent in libraries, from schools, to University libraries, to Public libraries. I had a private practice that was part of a Center that specialize...

Pre-Recovery: Suicidal thoughts  Hello to all:  Recovery can be difficult without outside help.  Unless you are blessed with an Enlightenment experience -- that sudden life changing moment, you are in for a long slog. As you grow in recovery, certain negatives should emerge to challenge you. You might face many dragons along the way.  In fact right now in this moment you may want to do self harm, perhaps you are thinking of self termination.  Let me ask you some questions. Silently answer Yes or No to each question.  Are you thinking of hurting yourself (committing suicide) ? How long have you been thinking about suicide (frequency, intensity, duration) ? Do you have a plan ? Do you have the means to carry out the plan? Have you attempted suicide in the past? Has someone in your family committed suicide?   Is there anything or anyone to stop you (religious beliefs, children left behind, pets, etc.) ?      ...

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