Is there a need for a Free Republic daily 12-step thread?

Oct 12, 2003 | Lazamataz

[Nov3]

Narconon is distinct and different as an organization to Narcotics Anonymous. I've never seen anything about Scientology or personality tests, and I've gone to NA for almost a year.

My God I have never heard of this. You learn something new every day

[PayrollOffice]

As if NA's didn't have enough to worry about. Geesh!

So you walk into a meeting that you thing is NA. There you are with a tin can with a string in your hand. Am I clear? Am I clear? Have the Thetans cleared me yet for the next course? LOL!

[Nov3]

Oh God... this is ridiculous.

That was the intended effect.

[harrowup]

It is good news you are working on your addiction and I wish you every bit of good will we can muster. I have counseled a good number of folks who have needed help and frankly know of no better programs than those offered through the Twelve Steps of both AA and NA.

Whether an 'anonymous' program would work on an 'anonymous' board or not gives me some pause. I am not certain that the required amount of humility and surrender to a higher power could be maintained.

That said, perhaps you could structure the discussion to concentrate on the true meaning of the various steps and skip the personal damage estimates. Once again, best regards.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Listen, Chelsea. You need to get a life.

[edchambers]

LOL I thought this thread was about the possibility of starting a thread for people addicted to Free Republic. I was ready to sign up!

Me too I have become hopelessly addicted to this web forum but if we had a daily thread on that I would have to log on every day to check it out.Obviosly a self defeating proposition.Props to all you 12 steppers out there I have known many substance abusers in my life and the few success stories are always the ones that are willing to work thier program.

[dixiechick2000]

If you are up to it, that sounds like a great idea.
It will be a lot of work, though.
Maybe, you can find someone to help you.

Congratulations...I really admire you.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Of course I do not think any less of you.

My above post was refering to addiction in general.

I admit to being hooked on caffeine and nicotine today, and if all addictions are equal, then it would make me hypocritical to rail against my neighbor who is only seventeen, addicted to cocaine, is a known prostitute, has had two children out of wedlock by different fathers, who frequently is homeless, who is continuously a victim of domestic abuse, who puts her children in danger because she refuses to seek treatment.

I do rail against her, and am always hoping that for the sake of her children, she will be arrested and placed in a drug treatment program. This may sound cold and heartless of me, but my fear is that one day she will die because of a drug overdose or the abuse of one of her male friends, and then where will her children live and what will they do?

I too experimented with drugs in the early nineties, and found that I easily succumbed to their destructive powers. Consequently I dropped out of college, a decision I will never get over.

But the only consolation I have from the choices I made in the past is that I did decide to stay away from drugs for the remainder of my life. I did decide that I am not strong enough for recreational use.

In my book, if you have turned away from drug abuse, accepted your responsibility, admitted to your addiction and have rebuilt your life, then you are worthy of praise. And any person who is strong enough to do that is congratulated. I believe that personal responsibility is the key to rebuilding your life.

I am an occassional drinker, in a social setting. I probably only drink about six times a year. But, I drink coffee and smoke cigarettes daily. So, does that make me a hypocrite?

[Vigilantcitizen]

"I am an occassional drinker, in a social setting. I probably only drink about six times a year. But, I drink coffee and smoke cigarettes daily. So, does that make me a hypocrite?"

Of course not. Thanks for your comments and compassion.

BTW.. Your tag line bears alot of truth.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"I've recieved a lot of mail from people who are very concerned that people who opened up would be blasted by the insensitive. At this time I am unwilling to subject them to this sort of abuse. I'm coming down on the 'no' side."

As far as I'm concerned, they can blast and insult me all they want. Sensitivity be damned.

Whatever you decide Laz, I'm with you.

[mo4bush]

"Can recovering DemocRats join?"

LOL! That's a tall order but I'm sure with an extreme effort even that would be possible! Tough but possible! Just think how the recovering rat would have to make amends to others harmed by their ratness!! Hee Hee!!!

[ImpBill]

I have this friend ... his name is Bill W.

Would that work?

[Lazamataz]

Thanks, hup. I'm thinking I am going to pass on this idea. After talking with my sponser -- and explaining what the hell this whole FR thing is, anyways -- he says BAD idea. Too little control. People can come in and say very damaging things to the newcomer. There's no discipline possible. There's not enough privacy.

[ChemistCat]

You can certainly do this by email with those who contacted you. I am a member of an informal group of L-dot refugees. We stay in touch that way. RE: ALL is as good as a meeting.

[harrowup]

Sad, but true. My compliments to your sponsor; those folks are the kinds of volunteers that make us mere mortals have hope for future generations.

I know you can't toot your own horn just yet, but let me tell you that every human who has ever gone through your ordeal and those that live with them and help them know that it has taken a great deal of courage for you to face your demons up front and personal.

I also know you cannot take issue with those who wish you ill, but rest assured there are still a few of us left who will relish the opportunity to kick the ugly bastards and tarts right smartly the next we meet. (And, if anyone tells you you can't at least laugh at that picture, then ask them to lighten up...laughter at an AA or NA meeting is one of the most amazing therapeutics I've ever imagined.)

[Lazamataz]

Sounds like you've been there / done that. Makes me like you even more.

I know you can't toot your own horn just yet

I'll never be able to toot my own horn on this topic. Even at twenty years, the sad reality is that I fell victim to substances. There's no pride available ANYwhere in this equation. And the day I think there is, I'm calling my sponser, cuz I'm about to relapse.

I also know you cannot take issue with those who wish you ill, but rest assured there are still a few of us left who will relish the opportunity to kick the ugly bastards and tarts right smartly the next we meet.

Oh, those guys? Hell, I haven't given them a second thought. They need their own 12 step -- concentrating on their OWN lives, rather than the lives of everyone else. They are addicted to slurs, passing out information on people, and digging up the identities of screen names. Tell me THAT'S not freaky.

[Lazamataz]

You can certainly do this by email with those who contacted you. I am a member of an informal group of L-dot refugees. We stay in touch that way. RE: ALL is as good as a meeting.

Not a bad idea.

[Artist]

"On other threads, I try to help other Freepers in similar situations."

I've read many of your posts on those threads. You've done a very fine job of it.

Congrats, and thanks for helping others along the way.

[chicagolady]

Seems like the end of the thread...Do we all now hold hands and say the Lord's Prayer?..................................................................................Or is it not politically correct to mention the G-word

God?

[MEG33]

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change ,the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.