Upon arrival onsite, received a client update from Caroline. She stated that the clients had had a very busy day, were tired and would probably turn in early. The clients stated that they had all finished their therapeutic assignments and asked at what time they could go to bed. I said that we would do check out at 8pm, and that after that they were free to retire for the evening.

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.

Jack is showing remarkable progress. He is continually providing valuable input into check out topics and has been commended for his hard work. He was again given positive affirmation on how much he has changed for the better and he is just half way through his treatment. He was held up as an example other clients to emulate, if they want recovery as badly as he does.

This evening I discussed a number of topics with our clients, the most significant being religion versus spirituality. While accepting that prayer and God have a place in other people’s lives, it has been Jan’s experience that prayer does not work for her. She enjoys certain aspects of religious services and it seems likely that she will go back to the church that she was brought up with.

It’s up to each of us to find spiritual belief for ourselves, the Higher Power that supports us in our recovery.

We had an external provider at Ledgehill today to provide a drumming session for our clients. I was gratified to find that our clients seemed to really gain from the session. One client fed back how the drumming session was very enjoyable. In doing so he related the story shared by the lady conducting the session – about how she had to set aside her love of music early in recovery because it triggered her drug use, but over the course of time and recovery work, it all came back and she now enjoys her music more that she did when she was using.