No Recovery Plan - Al-Anon Family Group

Jessmine · Member

No Recovery Plan

pinkchip · ~*Service Worker*~

It's not even a recovery "plan" that matters. I have not seen many people get sober without sustained recovery actions and effort.

Debilyn · ~*Service Worker*~

Every recover is fit for that person. So that is not a dumb question. Some need a routine to stick to, goals to reach etc. My A talked to hp every morn in private, chose not to drink that day. He made sure he was moral, did not lie, payed his bills, worked and so much more. Learned to be the best husband.

They have to want it, really want it. Myself I would write it down, and have affirmations to remind me, guide me. But that is me. Some just need AA.

Everyone is different, they all grew up differently. Some were not taught manners or how to ask questions. NO one is the same.

Hugs

Mattie · ~*Service Worker*~

I remember in the early days asking a longtime AA member if someone could get sober without a formal recovery program. He thought and said, "Well, I hear spontaneous combustion happens sometimes ... so anything could happen, right?" That gave me a good sense of how often it happens.

Jerry F · ~*Service Worker*~

Yes it can and does happen. Sometimes it is called "white knuckling" recovery and other times complete surrender to the belief and acceptance that they ought not drink at all. The disease is insidious and a Higher Power in many lives. For me I need to have a Higher Higher Power so that I hold myself apart of that one part of the disease which hasn't yet happened to me...relapse. I know by myself, for myself that I am not a sobriety, serenity, sanity wizard. I've always needed others to bring me in, keep me in and keep me working it because for me again the disease of alcoholism is innate...in my genes...at all times. If I do not have "another and different" program to live with I am compulsed to returning to "old" behaviors. The night before last my wife and I went to dinner with a neighbor who drinks. He was at the bar when we arrived and when I saw him there I started compulsively looking for a chair there...my wife didn't. When we got our dinner table, he brought his drink to the table and I compulsively kept tabs on it one time even halting conversation so that my eyes could locate where it was and how much was left. Did I drink? no...was I drinking of the situation? yes. For me who am also an Al-Anon member who wishes to never drink again and who has been born and raised within the disease of alcoholism, our daily programs hold me away from relapse that insane aspect of this disease which hasn't happened "yet". Alcoholism is partly described as "A compulsion of the mind..." I have never lost the compulsion and I have not had a drink of the mind and mood altering chemical alcohol, in any form for over 36 years. I stayed alcohol free for the first 9 years in Al-Anon alone as I came to "note the power of these very words" as part of the lead statement into the reading of the steps in our face to face meetings. I have a very simple recovery plan, "Never let go of the hand of Al-Anon and AA. Attend meetings...listen, learn, practice, help others". I know the power of the chemical and I know many who are making it and many who have died from it..in my family and out. Prayers for him and for you. (((((hugs))))) smile

Flower49 · Senior Member

Hi Jessmine,

I don't know that there is an actual plan, however AA has a plan and it's called the steps. The plan also includes an HP. Some need what is called After Care once they leave a treatment facility, some decide it's best to go to a 1/2 way or 3/4 way house also known as sober living homes. Honestly I think it is all on how much a person really wants to stay sober they take action on a daily basis which for some includes prayer, meditation, fellowship in AA, hobbies, activities and so on.

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.