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.

I was delighted to received a phone call from a client yesterday who had recently completed treatment. Tomorrow he has been clean and sober for 100 days, and called to share the news that he was successful in getting a job that he had applied for. He tried a unicycle over the weekend and loved it so much, he is going to buy one for himself.

His delight for trying new things could be heard in the excitement in his voice.

I talked with the clients this evening about the amount of time that is spent when feeding an addiction. As we talked, it became apparent that when we used, a large part of our time was spent either looking for something to use, the act of using, or recovering from using. When we stop using, this time becomes available and it is important to fill it with other, safe things that we enjoy. Learning to do this is part of the process of entering recovery.

The group, in this relaxed setting, also began talking about other subjects such as travel, music, books and so on. It was refreshing to see people from different backgrounds sit and share their stories and opinions. It was a very positive social time.

When I arrived at Ledgehill for my scheduled shift, our clients had just returned from an NA meeting. All agreed it was a very good meeting. I asked each client why they thought it was a good meeting, and each shared their views. I stressed the importance of attending several meetings, because that keeps things from becoming routine and predictable. As they experienced from the meeting tonight, when new people come to the meeting and new people share their ideas, it gives them an opportunity to look at things from a different perspective.

This writer prepared notes to talk with one of our clients about the ‘higher power’ concept of the program. The client is tempted to believe that he can do the 12 steps his own way, without any thought or idea of a higher power. I referred to the AA Big Book Chapter 5 ‘How It Works’ that reads:

“Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas, and the result was nil”.

I tried to plant the idea in his mind that he should keep an open mind to someday having a concept of a higher power.