From Samsa:

Title: Overdose Awareness Day
Date and Time: August 31, 2022, 6:30 p.m. (EST)
Location: American University
Sponsor: Dept. of Labor & HHS
Screening: Tipping the Pain Scale

REGISTER HERE

In recognition of and in tribute to those we have lost to overdose, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon, will be participating in a special community event alongside Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh, on International Overdose Awareness Day in Washington, DC on 8/31/22. Join her for the pre-release sneak preview screening of segments from the award-winning new independent film, Tipping The Pain Scale, which is slated to release during National Recovery Month on 9/6/22.

Sober is the New Beautiful

Recovery in a 12 Step program is not a "woke" thing or a political thing or even a religious thing. It is a feet-on-the-ground program that addresses the physical, spiritual, and emotional aspects of dependence on mind-affecting chemicals--i.e., alcoholism and drug addiction. Granted, "alcoholism" is drug addiction but for cultural reasons, it is often confused as something different. This blog will not make that mistake. 

I have been clean and sober for well over 50 years now, having found the 12 Step programs at age 21. You may or may not benefit from what I have learned and this blog will attempt to share my experiences: the good, the bad, and the ugly. My experience is not only personal (recovery in several 12 Step programs), but professional also. I have a degree in Drugs and Alcohol from Metropolitan University in Denver; I am a seven times peer-viewed published researcher; I have been a deputy in law enforcement; many of my family is in recovery or still in the throws of addiction. I am a Hazelden author and small publisher of really practical, down to earth recovery literature.  I've experienced this disease from all sides and want to share this with you. 

The best thing about my blog is that it is practical--not highfalutin, expensive, self-righteous, or especially not as an expert speaking down to you. This informative blog is peer to peer, one addict to another, one mother to another, one spouse to another, one professional to another, one friend to another. 

Join me, we are in this together.

PS I'm going to offer lots of free things for you to download or order for FREE that will help you help alcoholics and addicts in recovery. Start by subscribing to this blog and then download this great card to give to your favorite sober girlfriend: https://tinyurl.com/SoberisBeautiful

Free Download: 12 Step Virtual Meetings Guide

Free Download Guide: 12 Step Virtual Meetings Guide (when community social distancing is required) https://tinyurl.com/Virtual-Meetings

Sometimes it is not very  responsible to attend face to face 12 Step meetings because of a multitude of  health reasons. During a pandemic and during stable times, health concerns are more numerous than we think and can put everyone at risk. If you have an infections disease, don't go to face to face meetings, please. But that doesn't mean not to attend meetings. You can go to virtual meetings of all kinds and get just as much support as always--and you can share you experience, strength, and hope too.

We have so many immune compromised people in our rooms, please think about using virtual meetings when you are sick or at risk. Consider leading these meetings, sponsoring these meetings, and supporting these meetings during your Intergroup and area conferences. Here is the info you need:
https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200220/silent-covid19-cases-may-stymie-screening-efforts

Covid-19 and 12 Step Meetings

Important update. 12 Step Meetings and Covid-19. What you need to know.

Eye-rolling not appreciate in 12 Step Meetings for those who want to take flu precautions

We want members to feel safe getting the help they need to stay clean & sober. Watch the video and download the group guidelines flier linked in the description over at YouTube. You may be in the "roll your eyes" crowd who think any concern over Covid-19 is alarmist and unnecessary--OK stop reading and I pray that I am dead wrong in my caution and am never in a position to say, "I told you so.".

According to Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunizations and respiratory diseases, “At some point, we are likely to see community spread in the U.S. .." and now it has taken a foothold in our country. 

"The corona-virus produces mild cold symptoms in about 80% of patients, Dr. Sylvie Briand, head of WHO’s Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness division, told reporters on Monday. About 15% of the people who contract the virus have ended up with pneumonia, with 3% to 5% of all patients needing intensive care, she said." This comes from an article from cnbc. 

Right now, it is probably not widespread in the US--yet the "foothold" is here. Rumors abound and people often go to extremes--from the "I'm in God's hands and I accept God's will." to the conspiracy alarmists who are convinced all governments, the CDC and WHO are lying to us and we're all about to die except for a few rich guys in bunkers somewhere in Iceland.

12 Step Groups have long ignored flu season protocol. That's fine for the healthy--but so many of our members have compromised immune systems, that maybe we should not be so causal when infectious diseases are spreading in our communities. 

I attend a 12 Step group here in Kingman, AZ and we do take some precautions. There is antibacterial gel on each table and we use disposable cups. But that is about it. I would suggest that members NOT roll their eyes at those who choose to wear masks, gloves, use the gel and step back when the hand-holding prayer comes. I think we should start Face-timing the meetings for those home bound, and I think we should be smart.

"This new virus represents a tremendous public health threat," she said. "We are now taking and will continue to take unprecedented, aggressive action to reduce the impact of this virus ... on the communities in the US." Messonnier said. Rational thought and precautions for our members, our family, in 12 Step groups is the smart and loving thing to consider. No eye-rolling please.  

Sh*t Happens (that's what your Pocket Sponsor is for) FUNNY Video!

It's been a while! Sorry for the hiatus--but here is a good video I did a while back. There are times when sh*t happens and at these HALT moments, you need to pick up your Pocket Sponsor. This video is a rather funny look at life--but Facebook refused to let me advertise or promote this video for recovery because they said that "sh*t happens" wasn't appropriate. I find that hilarious because of all the sh*t they do promote--but I digress... Look, even if Facebook won't let me promote this, maybe you'd like to share it? https://youtu.be/moZ7z19qWtA

Let's Do the Holiday Parties SOBER (InfoGraphic download)

Here is a free download from our most active website PocketSponsor.com-- It's an inforgrapic that can be printed on a legal sized paper and given out for a bit of Holiday guidence. Additonally, there is a commerical printer version that you can send to Staples or such.  All FREE. This is in 3 parts for the blog--but the infographic is one long sheet.

What is a POCKET SPONSOR?

Take 40 seconds to see how the Pocket Sponsor is used--If you like it I will give you FREE shipping to order one for yourself or as a gift.
https://tinyurl.com/ShipPSFree


Thank you Niko for a great presentation!