The Recovery Show » Finding serenity through 12 step recovery in Al-Anon – a podcast

The only requirement for membership in Al-Anon is that there is a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend. How many other groups are so inclusive? How does this help you? How is this a challenge for you? Today is MLK day, the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday. Perhaps naturally, my... The post Belonging — 315 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What is integrity and what does it have to do with recovery? Definitions the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness the state of being whole and undivided “the root of integrity is about doing the right thing even when it’s not acknowledged by others, or convenient for you.” (Psychology Today... The post Integrity – 314 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Is your voice heard, even when others disagree? Why is it important that everyone has an opportunity to be heard? How do you practice listening in your life? Meetings? Family? Work? Concept 5 states “The rights of appeal and petition protect minorities and insure that they be heard.” Spencer and Eric share how this concept... The post Being Heard – 313 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

I'm pleased to share this recording of Bill Wilson, co-founder of AA, speaking at the AA International Convention in Long Beach, CA, in 1960. The recording includes brief remarks by Lois Wilson, co-founder of Al-Anon; Ebby T, who introduced Bill to the Oxford groups; and Sister Ignatia, an early supporter of AA, who cared for... The post Bill W with Lois W, Ebby T, Sister Ignatius and Mort J — 312 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What’s in your holiday toolkit? Do you dread spending holidays with family? What tools have you found to make the experience tolerable or even joyful? (Realistic) expectations. Recognize when you are feeling stressed (HALTS?) Escape plans. Literature. Locate and plan to attend meetings if you will be out of your usual area. Phone list. Arrange... The post Holiday Toolkit – 311 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

This episode is created by your voices, both written and recorded. Sam asks why some members shy away from service, while she finds it a vital part of her recovery. Penelope and Jessica found value in Episode 308, Program Tools. Natalie asks for some experience, strength, and hope, living with active alcoholism while maintaining a... The post Your voices — 310 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Every year around Thanksgiving, I give special attention to the things that I am grateful for. This is my list for 2019. This year I created an "A to Z" gratitude list. Most of these are gifts I got from this program of recovery. The post Gratitude 2019 – 309 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

The Al-Anon program provides so many tools. There are slogans and steps, and new ways of approaching life’s troubles. Which ones do you use comfortably? Are there any you wish you had used, but didn’t remember to pick them up? Marylou, Pat, and Kelly join me to talk about their favorite tools of the program. The post Our Program Tools – 308 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Today, I am pleased to share with you a talk by Aaron J, speaking in 2012. I identified with his certainty that it was his “job” in life to take care of everyone around him. I share his frustration when those same people didn’t do what he knew was best for them. The post Aaron J — It’s not about me — 307 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Karen shared her story in episode 262, Third Time is the Charm. Things have changed since then, and we start by catching up on recent events. Then we move into a discussion about how she (and I) use Traditions 1 and 2 in our lives. The post Karen B – Living the Traditions – 306 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What does recovery have to do with a weekend "up north"? The post A Respite – 305 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

We often say “take what you like and leave the rest.” How can I apply this concept of “take it or leave it” in my life? The post Take it or Leave it – 304 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Michele B has an inspiring story of adversity and recovery. Note: The original posting of this talk had audio “glitches” that made it unlistenable for some. I believe I have corrected them here. Readings and Links Ashley told us about online Alateen “chat” meetings, and sent a link to the Al-Anon/Alateen web site, where you... The post Michele B – My Solutions were my Problems – 303 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Jennifer's adult son has been drinking alcoholically for his entire adult life, some 30 years. She wrote and offered to tell her story, where she is now living a wonderful life, free of the obsession to do something. She loves him, she is concerned about his well-being and health, but that doesn't consume her life... The post Jennifer – Free from Obsession – 302 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Geneviève started recovery at the age of 14 as a member of Alateen. There, she found a family she had never had. She didn't think she needed Alateen, but there was something there that called to her. Maybe at first it was just the community – the people who welcomed her and hugged her (although... The post Geneviève – Together we can make it – 301 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

The Recovery Show has reached the grand age of 300 … episodes. Or, if you prefer, over 6 1/2 years. I asked you to tell me what you found here, what brought you here, what keeps you coming back. And about 30 of you answered, with only about 2 weeks notice! So, what did you... The post What you found here – 300 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

In this recording from an IDAA (International Doctors in AA) conference in 2004, Tom and Gail H share their experience, strength and hope about how they sabotaged their relationship and how they repaired it in recovery. Upcoming: our 300th episode Our 300th episode is just around the corner! I’d love you to share how The... The post How to Sabotage a Relationship – 299 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Is it hard for you to say “no”? Do you avoid responding instead of saying “no”? Or, maybe you say “yes” when you want to say “no”. “No” is a boundary. Typically in response to a request or requirement to do something we do not want to agree to do and is not ours to... The post Saying No — No is a complete sentence – 298 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Join us for the conclusion of Mary Pearl T's workshop on the 12 steps. She clearly illustrates, with warmth and wit, how she understands and lives... The post Mary Pearl T on Step 12 – Episode 297 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What was your spiritual awakening? What spiritual experiences have you had? Step 12 starts with “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps…”. The AA “Big Book” speaks of “a spiritual experience” as a key to recovery. What's going on here? Do we have to have some sudden “white light” experience to... The post Spiritual Awakenings and Experiences – 296 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

A listener and erstwhile guest, Carrie, suggested this talk. She writes, Such an incredible story! Chock full of life experiences, wisdom, humor and hope. I’ve listened to it several times over the years. Makes me want to go hike in Phoenix and get a teddy bear to pass around. 😊 Upcoming An upcoming topic is... The post Kerri K – Speaker talk – 295 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Recently, my wife, Amy, and I were guests on the podcast Sober Speak. This is our sharing — what it was like, what happened, and what it is like now. We spoke both of our own experience and of our shared experience. I hope that something we said connects with you.   The post Spencer and Amy — a couple in recovery — 294 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Lynne tells her story – what it was like, what happened, and what it's like now. She touches on grief both before and after entering recovery, on parenting, and on co-parenting with an alcoholic. Lynne tells of the alcohol fueled death of a close friend, and of the later crisis that brought her into Al-Anon.... The post Lynne – Grief can be a wonderful thing – 293 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

You can also read a transcript of this episode. Do you have a few sayings or quotes that support your recovery? How do you use them? Spencer and Eric explore a long list of sayings, quotes, proverbs, and parables. We talked about all of these, some at length, and some quite briefly. Some of these... The post Sayings, Quotes, Proverbs, and Parables – 292 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

How have you deepened your conscious contact with your higher power? What is your practice of prayer and meditation? Mary Pearl T leads us on an exploration of Step 11, “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us... The post Step 11 with Mary Pearl T – 291 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Our 5th tradition says, Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. How do we do this? How has this supported and worked in your recovery? In full, it reads, Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps... The post But One Purpose – 290 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

How do you have the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference? I reflect on how many times I have applied the serenity prayer during a weekend vacation. Upcoming Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your... The post Applying the Serenity Prayer – 289 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Step 10 says “We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” Mary Pearl T gives us her usual insightful and humorous take on this step. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.   The post Mary Pearl T on Step 10 – 288 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Is someone you love facing jail or prison because of their drinking or addiction? How do you live through something like that? Michele and Marc share their experience, strength, and hope. Their son started drinking and using drugs in high school, and it's been quite a ride since then. He is now in prison. They... The post Marc and Michele’s son is in prison – 287 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Step 8: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Step 9: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Mary Pearl does her usual in-depth, funny, and moving presentation of these steps. Readings and... The post Mary Pearl T on Steps 8 and 9 – 286 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

The Suggested Al-Anon Welcome says, in part “… it is possible to find contentment, and even happiness, whether the alcoholic is drinking or not.” How can this happen? I was recently talking with an Al-Anon friend whose loved one had relapsed. My friend wondered if it was possible to have a life that wasn’t full... The post Contentment and even Happiness – 285 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you QTIP? Have you practiced the 3 A's? Spencer and Eric, with support from many listeners, talk about some of the acronyms (such as HALT or FEAR) and alliterations (3 C's, 4 M's) that help us to remember the important principles of the program. As Eric says, “these are like pocket change — they're... The post Acronyms and Alliterations – Episode 284 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Have you attended an AA or Al-Anon convention? My wife and I went to the March Roundup in Detroit, so I thought I'd give you a little trip report. If you haven't been to a convention, I encourage you to find one near you and go. Not only is it fun, but a weekend of... The post March Roundup 2019 – Episode 283 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Please enjoy Mary Pearl T's thoughts on Step 7, “Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.” Upcoming Upcoming topics include “acronyms and alliterations”. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] to share your favorite Al-Anon acronym, such as QTIP (quit taking it personally), or an alliteration such as the 3 C's (didn't cause it,... The post Mary Pearl T on Step 7 – Episode 282 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

When do you decide to trust (or not to trust) someone? How do we trust others in the program? What fears might stop us from trusting? What is trust? (noun) firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. (verb) believe in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of. How do... The post How do you trust? – Episode 281 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Brian joins The Recovery Show to talk about his experience in S-Anon. What is S-Anon? It is a 12-step program, similar to Al-Anon, for those who have been affected by another person's sexual addiction. Brian introduces the S-Anon program, and talks about his personal experience of finding recovery in that program. We look at ways... The post S-Anon – Episode 280 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you like yourself? Can you love yourself? Can you trust yourself? In a recent meeting, the topic was Step 5, “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.” One member shared that she often had a hard time even liking herself, and that this was a... The post Do you like yourself? – Episode 279 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What is this podcast about? We’re not Al-Anon, exactly. What are we? I got a letter from a listener who asked some questions. It made me think that maybe it's time (again?) to talk about what The Recovery Show is, and what it isn't. Why did we create The Recovery Show? We had been sharing... The post What do we do here? – Episode 278 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

The son of “Doctor Bob”, Bob S., Jr., in a talk from an Al-Anon conference in 2003. A listener wrote about coincidences and recommended episode 489 of This American Life, “No Coincidence, No Story!” Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment... The post Bob S Jr Talk – Episode 277 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What is your first thought when you hear this question? Do you believe that “right” is “truth” and that there is only one possible “right answer” (way to do something, opinion about a topic, etc.)? Do you have “black and white” thinking? Why? What would it take to see the world in shades of gray... The post Would you rather be right or happy? – Episode 276 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Kate C shares her story, experience, strength, and hope. She grew up with an alcoholic mother, in a family that separated when she was 8. She didn't feel safe as a child and so decided she needed to take care of her siblings, especially her younger brother. The “isms” she learned in this environment came... The post Kate C grew up with alcoholism – Episode 275 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What does it mean to be “entirely ready”? How can we trust our higher power to remove our defects of character? Mary Pearl T continues her workshop with Step 6, Became entirely ready to have God remove all our defects of character. How is her anger like a volcano? And why is she talking about... The post Mary Pearl T on Step 6 – Episode 274 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

I hear from you about what happened in your recovery in 2018, and what you are aspiring to in 2019. Readings and links I read from One Day at a Time in Al-Anon, January 1 and December 31. Callers and I referred to several episodes of this podcast: 219, 3 P’s: Perfection, Procrastination, Paralysis 29, Progress, not Perfection... The post The Year in Recovery 2018 – Episode 273 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you feel that you are lost in the dark? Do your fears become larger and more real in darkness? Can darkness ever provide comfort and peace? My musings on darkness were inspired by but don't really follow this outline: End of the year Shortest day / longest night Darkness -> fear/anxiety We light candles,... The post Peace in the Darkness – Episode 272 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Why does Step 5 ask us to share “the exact nature of our wrongs”? What do we gain from this? Continuing our series of talks by Mary Pearl T, we come to Step 5, “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.” I hope that her openness,... The post Mary Pearl T on Step 5 – Episode 271 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you believe all things happen for a reason?Do you believe that God can do for us things that we can’t do for ourselves?Do you believe in coincidence, or that there is no such thing as coincidence? What “higher power moments” have you experienced? (Step 2 moments)What happens when you view them as miracles rather... The post Do you Believe? – Episode 270 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What are you grateful for in 2018? Sure, I can write a gratitude list. I am grateful for those of you who sent in your expressions of gratitude. Readings I read from One Day at a Time in Al-Anon, May 5. Kelly recommended a book, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, by Lindsay C. Gibson. Cristianne ordered Knock Knock... The post Gratitude 2018 – Episode 269 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

As promised, here is a presentation by Mary Pearl T on Step 4, “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.   The post Mary Pearl T on Step 4 – Episode 268 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What about gratitude? How do you practice gratitude? Or, do you more often forget? At two meetings this week, I was reminded of the importance of practicing gratitude in my life. Saturday morning, we were working from the Al-Anon 4th Step workbook, Blueprint for Progress. Once a month, we read a few questions from this... The post What about Gratitude – Episode 267 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Why do we gather in Al-Anon groups? How do we maintain our singleness of purpose? It’s been hard this week not to lose hope and to give in to despair about the divisiveness and even hate that seems to be the norm for society today. It’s brought me to reflect again on how amazing this... The post Singleness of Purpose – Episode 266 appeared first on The Recovery Show.