I had a chance to have a farewell chat with our client who completes treatment tomorrow. I talked with him about many things but it boiled down to choices and the freedom to make them. Our addiction robs us of the freedom of choosing the right path. Sobriety is no guarantee of a good life but it does allow us to deal daily with life on life’s terms, without having to resort to any external stimuli. Although he understands this, he is still worried because he continues to have thoughts about getting right back into the booze.

Yesterday evening we discussed at length with the clients, how it is only when you let go of old ways of thinking, and began to look for the answers within yourself, that change and growth truly occurs. Find out who you are as a person, and begin to fix damaged feelings and emotions, then you start to become content. No external forces or material objects can affect serenity, if you are happy with yourself, you can continue to work each day at being the best person you can be.

When I arrived on site everyone was having a round table discussion on Step 1. This had piqued everyone’s interest in the program. This tied in well to my intended plan to explain my interpretation of the 12 Step Program. Everyone gathered round the 12 Step Board and I gave a brief explanation of the steps and how I have worked them and how they have impacted upon my life. This explanation took about 25 minutes. Upon completion there were several questions. I believe that this group has already achieved a nice level of cohesiveness.  The idea that there is no one right way to work the steps appeals to our clients.