Comments on: Start Here: The Creative Theory of Recovery Explained

By: donna

donna — Thu, 05 May 2011 01:41:26 +0000

Patrick I love your website. Your advice is the best I have found on the web. I am new in recovery, 90 days soon, and I instinctively know that you have such a grasp on a comprehensive program. I understand what you say about the fear based program of relying on 12 step meetings indefinitely. They are serving a wonderful purpose for me now, but I do see that one must grow in other ways as well. You are right on about exercise, stopping other bad habits, and creating a new life in general. Keep doing what you do–I keep coming back to your website again and again.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:58:53 +0000

Yes, I quit creating! Thank you for that idea put into words. I have been off and on sober many times. This last time was seven years. I let things slide. I drank and smoked my little heart out and found myself right back there with the depression, guilt, remorse, thinking I was a screw up and always would be… Yuck, I hate that stuff. Got back up, pulled myself together. I am lucky. Thanks.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 04:38:41 +0000

Just browsed into this site after attending my first NA meeting for several months.

I am 24 years clean, I have had several spiritual experiences as a result of the steps, and several more from practices not involving the steps.

If I carried on doing the steps “by the book” I would have left long ago … That doesn’t invalidate them, just puts them into a more appropriate place – as a starting point on a road to a better life.

I learned from experience that there was also much to be gained from listening to other teachers (outside the fellowship) and also trusting my own Inner Voice.

Today I no longer identify myself as an addict – a choice not to be defined by a (no longer relevant to me) label … If I suffered from depression in the past, then got happy, I would stop identifying as a depressive – it wouldn’t make sense to smile while telling people how miserable I’d been years earlier!

Addiction is simply a manifestation of our separation from God – get close to Our Higher Power and the separation goes and takes the addiction with it.

CREATE your happiness by focusing on that which is good and work steadily towards becoming the change you want – Don’t focus on that which does not serve you.