Saturday, March 2, 2013

Recycling

I recognized the voice on the phone yesterday asking for help - though I couldn't put a name to it.

He was confused and talking in circles. Turns out it was a former client who’s in jeopardy of losing his job once more over drinking. On top of that, the friend whose couch he’s been camping on is losing patience with what he thought was an overnight guest.

So, after some discussion we arranged an intake for him and he came back to the program.

This man’s story is a typical example of an alcoholic-addict who believes that all he needs is “to get back to work.” He says his problem is money and that if he can earn some he’ll be okay. Now part of what he says is true; he does need “to get back to work.” But he neglected to add the word “sober” to the end of the sentence.

At TLC we’re aligned with those who want to work. Someone has to pay the bills. The only problem with most of those who hold that as their first concern is they’re not looking at the real issue: recovery.

My lengthy experience with recovery tells me that once we’re lost in the no-man’s land of addiction our 24/7 job is to feed the monster. Until it either devours us - or we escape to join those who are living the lessons Bill W. left behind.

We hope our former client will allow us to help him this time.

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