Kickstart Your Recovery: The Road Less Traveled to Freedom from Addiction
By Taite Adams
()
About this ebook
Are you or a loved one unable to stop drinking or using drugs, yet tired of the endless cycle of pain and consequences? Recovery IS possible and it's not as frightening as most make it out to be.
Addiction is a cruel and subtle disease that robs it's victims of so much. Those suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction are often baffled by its affects on their lives and the devastation that can be wrought in such a short period of time. Loved ones feel helpless and hopeless as they are forced to stand by and watch as someone they care about erodes before their eyes, clear that they cannot stop drinking or using drugs.
Luckily, many people are able to reach some sort of "bottom", or a jumping off place, where they are finally willing and able to ask for help and begin the process of getting sober. Kickstart Your Recovery offers a powerful message to those who are looking for a way out from an endless cycle of pain and loss and for tools for avoiding relapse. With a clear approach, and drawing on her own history of addiction recovery, author Taite Adams is able to give the new person in recovery answers to a lot of Frequently Asked Questions about getting sober and allay a lot of fears. Some of the areas that are addressed in detail are:
What is a "Bottom"?
Should I Go to Treatment?
What is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
12 Step Programs
Sponsorship
Families and Relationships
The Job and Career in Sobriety
About the Consequences of Addiction
Living Life and Having Fun Sober
Addressing Other Issues
and Much More
Whether brand new in sobriety, considering going to treatment or just coming to grips with the fact that there may be a "problem", alcoholism and addiction help is available in many forms and Kickstart Your Recovery is an invaluable tool to get your questions answered about getting sober, staying sober, avoiding relapse and helping you move one step closer to a better way of life free of alcohol and drugs.
Taite Adams
Taite Adams is a successful marketer and published author who has traded in the high cost of low living for a much more peaceful, and rewarding, life. Free of alcohol and drugs for over a decade and an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, Taite (not her real name) enjoys living a sober life and sharing those joys with her family, friends and people looking for a better way to live. She is an avid boater, licensed Coast Guard Captain and prolific traveler. While her bucket list remains long, each day brings a shining new opportunity to cross something off the list or discover something new - and for that she remains forever grateful.
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Kickstart Your Recovery - Taite Adams
Copyright
Kickstart Your Recovery - The Road Less Traveled to Freedom From Addiction
By Taite Adams
Published by Taite Adams & Rapid Response Press
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2014 by Taite Adams
Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator,
at the address below.
Rapid Response Press
6860 Gulfport Blvd., Suite 357
St. Petersburg, FL 33707
www.rapidresponsepress.com
Ordering Information:
Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address above.
Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data
Adams, Taite.
A title of a book : a subtitle of the same book / Taite Adams.
ISBN: 9781311748584
p. cm.
1. The main category of the book —Health —Other category. 2. Another subject category —Mind and Body. 3. More categories —Recovery.
First Edition
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Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. The publisher and author do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.
For general information on our other products and services or for technical support please contact Rapid Response Press - 6860 Gulfport Blvd., Suite 357; St. Petersburg, FL 33707
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Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This publication is designed to provide accurate and personal experience information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the author, contributors, publisher are not engaged in rendering counseling or other professional services. If counseling advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought out.
=================
Medical Disclaimer
The information contained in this book is not intended to serve as a replacement for professional medical advice. Any use of the information in this book is at the reader's discretion. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use or application of any information contained in this book. A health care professional should be consulted regarding your specific situation.
To my son - Your light and growth provides a constant source of joy and pride;
To Mom - Who loved me even when I didn't;
To my love - There are times when I think I can’t possibly love you more. And then I do. You are my best thing.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty
Contents
Preface
How Did I Get Here?
What's a Bottom?
Is Addiction Really a Disease?
Losing Everything - or Not
Should I Go to Treatment?
Not All Treatment Centers Are the Same
The Pro's and Con's of Going to Treatment
If You Decide To Go
What is AA?
Is AA a Cult?
But...How Does it Work?
The Meetings
Meeting Formats
HOW Many Meetings?
Meeting Etiquette
The Home Group
Club Houses
If You Must ...Meetings Online and In Print
What's Up With Those Slogans
The 12 Steps - To What?
What is a Sponsor and Do I Need One?
A Sponsor's Role
Choosing a Sponsor That's Right for You
The God Factor
The Higher Power Concept - But I'm Jewish, an Atheist, an Agnostic, Buddhist, a Wiccan...
Families and Relationships
My Spouse Left Me, Won't Speak to Me, Won't Leave Me Alone...
No One Trusts Me
The Job, Work, Career
Making Career Changes - or Not
What is a Recovery Job
?
Got Consequences?
Health, Family, Legal, Financial
Old Friends and Stomping Grounds
Everyday Stuff in Sobriety
Life on Life's Terms
H.A.L.T.
Sober Living Alternatives
Learning to Have Fun Again
We Are Not a Glum Lot
Rule 62 - Seriously, Laugh a Little
Sober Travel and Vacations
Other Issues
If it Looks Like a Duck (Other Addictions, Compulsions, etc)
Seeking Outside Help
Where Do I Go From Here?
I Feel Much Better Now - Thanks for the Advice, Phone Numbers, Coffee and 3 Meetings. See Ya
Do I Have to Do This Forever?
The Miracle Mother Load
Miracles Happen
Giving It Away
Afterword
Recovery Resources
About the Author
Opiate Addiction Sample
Preface
This book, or Guide, has been on my mind for quite some time. I looked for something along these lines when I started my journey many years ago and didn't find anything that answered my multitude of questions. I don't know that there can ever be one little book that can give solace to all of those doubts and fears, but maybe something that can help just a little bit would be a great start. I am not an expert or an authority on anything. What I am is someone who has been to the bottom and was granted relief and a new life. Was this difficult? Actually the difficult part was getting to the end
- getting to that point where I had had enough and was ready to cry uncle
and get some help. After that, it really wasn't so bad.
I do see people on a daily basis that fit along the entire spectrum, though, of being entirely ready to do this
, just not sure, or completely clueless as to what has them in a vice-like grip, if anything. This is what is so frustrating, sad and cunning about the disease of addiction. So many of us will fight it to the death, literally, while others will give up
and recover - going on to lead beautiful, happy and useful lives. I have lived stages of my life all along this spectrum and, luckily, I was able to get to a point of desperation and surrender before this thing took everything or, worse yet, killed me or someone else. I became willing to get help and clung to everything that was offered to me. It worked and continues to work on a daily basis.
The control freak in most of us, at least those of you who would search out a book of this sort, still wants to know what is in store for them if they do decide to do this
or even if already in early recovery. Perfectly understandable. There's only so much letting go
a newcomer can do, after all. What I've catalogued here is essentially a Newcomer's Guide to Recovery. I've attempted to answer all of the questions that I hear in meetings and from newcomers, as well as many of the ones that I had in the beginning. I am an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and, as such, very much respect their Traditions. Because of this, my real name was not used in the publishing of this book. However, every experience related herein was absolutely real and shared in the heartfelt hope that it touches at least one person and makes a difference in their journey to recovery.
How Did I Get Here?
It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so. -Mark Twain
Many of us could probably add the word Again
to that question. Chances are, life isn't going according to plan at the moment or you would not have purchased and be reading this book. Trust me, I get it. One of the hardest things to come to terms with is the fact that there is something that may have an iron-clad grip on our lives and, no matter how hard we try to wriggle and scheme our way out, the noose just keeps getting tighter. Do you think that you may have a problem with alcohol or drugs? Here's a hint: Most people that aren't alcoholics or addicts don't sit around wondering if they have a problem with alcohol or drugs. It's simply a non-issue for them. If you are here, you already know or are at least in the wondering
stage and this bears further investigating. In the off chance that one of these nifty questionnaires hasn't been shoved in your face before now, here are just a few questions to ask yourself with regards to your alcohol and/or drug use that are signs
of a problem (feel free to substitute the word using
for drinking
if that makes you feel better ...we aim to please):
Not being able to quit drinking or control how much you drink
Needing to drink more to feel the same effect
Spending a lot of time drinking or to recover from drinking
Giving up or forgoing activities so that you can drink instead
Trying to quit drinking or cut down and not being