Most people experience a great deal of stress in that period of time between Thanksgiving and New Years, fondly known as “The Holidays”. Many of us, find ourselves becoming irritable, with our patience and tolerance stretched to the limit.

Much of the impatience and intolerance involves unrealistic and/or unreasonable expectations of others, especially those we are closest to. Being raised in our own individual families of origin seems to set us up for conflicts about expectations for the holidays. It seems to be a cultural expectation that the holidays are a time for families and for being with the people that we love. Past that seemingly global expectation, we tend to believe that the family attitudes and rules that we were raised with, are universally accepted. We tend to get more and more impatient and intolerant of others as they do not adhere to our expectations.

Much of the impatience and intolerance has to do with disappointment. We become disappointed that other people are not playing by the rules, not doing what is expected, and are in some way, departing from what we believe is the norm. In reality, the holidays represent different meanings to individuals, usually based on family of origin. Married couples often discover that their expectations about the holidays and the traditions that accompany those, simply do not match. This happens in within families as well. Different generations will often have varying expectations about the holidays. ]]> Administrator Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:02:36 +0000 http://www.recoverytoday.net/2011/409-from-the-heart-kitty-hawk-moments http://www.recoverytoday.net/2011/409-from-the-heart-kitty-hawk-moments by Rev Leo Booth

Alan Cohen

When the Wright brothers achieved the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on December 17, 1903, they likely had no idea how much the world would change as a result of that single event. The flight lasted only twelve seconds and distanced only 120 feet (shorter than the wingspan of a Boeing 747), but it marked a milestone in human history. In that one instant, humanity recognized that powered flight was real and we were no longer bound to the earth.

Each of us has our own “Kitty Hawk moment” — a term used to describe an event or experience that previously seemed impossible, but is now a reality. Do you remember the first time you typed on a personal computer, used a fax machine, or surfed the Internet? Where were you the day a man walked on the moon? Did you watch the celebration of President Obama’s election? In each of those moments what was once a dream became reality. ]]> Administrator Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:01:38 +0000 http://www.recoverytoday.net/2011/408-ladies-and-gentlemen http://www.recoverytoday.net/2011/408-ladies-and-gentlemen by Rev Leo Booth

Rev Leo Booth

I have never had such a response from any article that I’ve written as I had from Wash Your Mouth Out. Almost everyone agreed with me. Foul and obscene language has no place in any recovery meeting that is based upon spiritual values. The spiritual awakening is never f - you.

This made me think about the relationship between style and recovery, or style and spirituality. Is there a connection? I believe there is; art, for an example, has always been an aspect of living and experiencing the spiritual life. Because art is creative, I believe that it exists in the very heart of God or Higher Power.

But let’s back up a little bit. Recovery, spirituality, is the conscious choice to avoidnegativeanddestructivebehaviors. That is the basis of what the spiritual awakening really is; we no longer wish to behave in a drunken or abusive way because we see, it is destroying our lives. It is not in our interest to live an addictive lifestyle. ]]> Administrator Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:01:13 +0000 http://www.recoverytoday.net/2011/407-dont-bathe-with-this-stuff http://www.recoverytoday.net/2011/407-dont-bathe-with-this-stuff By Dr. LaVelle Hendricks

Is it safe to get in the bath water? Well yes—if you continue to use Epsom salt and soap. The fear griping many across the country is explaining /understanding “bath salts.” Don’t be decived, there is nothing safe about using this new “synthetic stimulant.” “Bath Salts” are being sold/marketed as “plant food” and “not for human consumption”.....but truth be told..it’s synthetic cocaine. Street names for this product: Ivory Wave, Purple Wave, Vanilla Sky, Aura, White devil, Blue Silk, Bonzai Grow, Charge Plus, Euphoria, Hurricane Charlie, Lovey Dovey, Ocean, Pixie Dust, Red Dove, Scarface, , White Dove, MTV, Magic, Maddie, Black Rob, Super Coke ,White Girl, White Lightning, and Bliss---just to name a few.

“Bath Salts” are methylenedioxyprovalerone (MDPV)--- AKA—designer drug. MDPV was originally developed for the treatment of chronic fatigue. However, due to the abuse and addictive nature of the medicine—it has sense been declared as having no medical use. Today, “street chemists” are using MDPV for the manufacture of “bath salts.” As reported by CNN, “MDPV blocks the neurotransmiter chemical dopamine from being reabsorbed into the brain. When it’s used over the long term, the brain stops manufacturing dopamine, which affects a person’s ability to feel pleasure.” Joseph Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, stated: “The manufacturers and retailers who make and sell these products do not fully disclose all of the product ingredients and never disclose the active and potentially harmful ingredient(s). ]]> Administrator Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:00:43 +0000 http://www.recoverytoday.net/2011/405-a-10-point-holiday-strategy-to-keep-those-in-recovery http://www.recoverytoday.net/2011/405-a-10-point-holiday-strategy-to-keep-those-in-recovery By Timothy Cheney and Rita Watson, MPHM

Holidays for persons in early recovery and their families can be both tenuous and treacherous. Despite the season “to be jolly” it is also a season that can mean a significant setback for those in recovery. People in early recovery need to be especially vigilant and cannot necessarily rely on their judgment on what constitutes a safe situation. After all, their best thinking led them to their current situation. As such, it is an important to understand the holiday problem, stay connected to positive roots, and plan ahead to prevent backslides.

Here’s why.

Addiction, the brain, and the family Addiction is a chronic and often relapsing brain disease and many of the triggers that prompt substance abuse take years to heal. The brainrequirestimetorewire. Addictionisalso a family disease. The family, in an attempt to deal with the addict or alcoholic over the years, has also developed defensive coping behaviors that are hard wired. Their brains also need time to rewire and heal. Most addicts and alcoholics want what they want when they want it and the concept of patience and T.I.M.E (Things I Must Earn) can be difficult ]]> Administrator Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:59:03 +0000