Comments for Breakthrough Addiction Recovery

Comment on The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure? by Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:50:41 +0000

HI Everyone and thanks for posting.
Just to address the subject and move on: The man has “Car Salesman” written all over his face. Infomercials are the 20/21 century version of the Wagon/Tent charlatans. Mr Praxis also states exactly what is said in the AA book. Underlying issues: uhhh. Isn’t that what the steps are about? Also the AA book says “blah blah is a disease that centers in the mind etc”. So, just to put an end to Mr Praxis’ BS- he pretty much says a great deal that is said in the Big Book.
I am at a turning point in my life. I had a wonderful 6 yrs sober, and 8 years without my drug of choice- pain killing meds (opiates). Part of this wonderful 6 yrs was due to AA. Part of it was due to my own spiritual experience. Neither of which I followed through with. I did not get past step 4. As far as my own spiritual experience- it remained an experience- I grew in it for a while and stopped my own discipline. That was simply walking and praying and reflecting in the morning about things that Saints said, or other wise people or the beauty of nature, or wonders of science- but all of it was worshiping or being in awe of something besides me and my problems. As soon as I drifted away from both of these- little by little (not because my disease was doing push ups in the parking lot- something that annoys me to no end- these over and over phrases)- yes little by little I drifted away out of ……a lack of discipline, laziness, putting other things first, then this leading to very poor decision making- getting remarried… And 4 yrs ago I “slipped”. I had to move back to Miami- after living in Maine for 5 of those years- to care for my mother (2nd not so great decision-although definitely not selfish). I picked up pain-killers lying around in no time. I ended making another-that could cost me my life- very poor decision- and that was to try this relatively new medicine called “Suboxone” that is an opiate “maintenance” or “detox” medication- touted as not having bad side effects and being relatively easy to stop. 4 yrs ago…. The result has been catastrophic.
So, just to be clear- I made the decision to not put my sobriety first. And I think no matter what path you take- if alcohol or drugs are your problem- or a manifestation of- that addressing this has to be the most important thing in your life. How ever you choose to do it- AA, Zen, Mass, Cognitive Therapy- whatever works for you- keep doing it- put that first. I have had drug/alc problems all my life- and as long as I put my sobriety first and was disciplined in this- I stayed sober, and loved life.
Now, I seem unable to stop. I have used other meds now as well. I have gotten myself into quite the hole. One person mentioned relationships. For me, I discovered that I have to really be in total sober discipline to handle this. I am divorced (my own decision) now.
Things are much more stable at home. BUT- I cannot stop. I am terrified of going through w/d once more.
AA has not worked so well for me since. I have tried to go back. The Steps I believe are a God send. But I feel condemned. Another nice little AA phrase I once heard- “be careful not to use up all your recovery cards”- ie- if you slip one too many times, it may be the end. And I am not so sure it is a good thing to say. Because people like me listen to stuff like that. I feel condemned. I really do feel like I screwed up one too many times.
That after 20 years of being in and out and around AA that it is over for me. I hate using. I have gone from (4ys ago) scuba diving even in the winter in Maine, Surfing, Solo camping in wilderness areas, all sorts of outdoor stuff- to having had a heart attack, not wanting to go out of my room let alone my house.
All this to say- I really appreciate what everyone wrote because I do not feel so hopeless now. That there are others that have found that AA works for some, and others not so much, that there are miracles in AA, but maybe it is not where it will happen for me. All in all- that most people that seem ok on their posts- seem to have made a “program” that has ended up being tailored to them. I just have to keep trying.
I will end with this- however you want to describe disease- it does not matter that much. I along with others am of the type that lost my ability to “choose” to drink or use casually. Something changed in me when I was in my late 20s. Addiction took over. I could never drink or use something without it triggering wanting more and more.
If you are reading this blog- chances are you or someone you know is dealing with this- and it is serious- no matter how you choose to deal with it. It leads to a life of misery.
It has for me. When I have been sober- I have enjoyed life to its fullest. Now….things do not look good. So this is no light subject to be toyed with by cure all sociopaths Mr.Praxis.

Comment on The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure? by StillTammy

StillTammy — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:46:07 +0000

Though I’m just starting with the book and trying to keep an open mind, I’m already finding it difficult after seeing the website from Passages, researching the cost and seeing the posts here. I firmly believe that tho there are some that can do recovery without a 12 step program, they are the exception and not the rule and if one puts as much effort into AA as they put into their addiction, recovery can be achieved and maintained.

Comment on The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure? by Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:18:22 +0000

It’s really sad for people to trash the Alcohol and Addiction Cure book, especially if they have not read it. I bought the CD’s and listened to it intently. I thought the approach was one in which I wish I had written the book myself! For, I had a hard time labeling myself as an ‘alcholic’ and really did not appreciate AA and other entities drilling it into my brain that I am screwed due to hereditary reasons or simply that I am just an incurable drunk. This book confirmed for me what I thought years and years ago: That some of us drink to self medicate and put a big quilt over things that trouble us in our lives. i.e., not feeling wanted, loved, or even worthy of sobriety. In listening to Chris and Pax Prentiss’ book, I don’t feel at all that they are ego craving maniacs that simply want more money. I do believe that they sincerely want to help people and by writing the book and selling the books, they are doing just that. Yes, I wish I could have afforded to stay at Passages, but I respect the people that are lucky enough to do so. I have turned my home environment into my own ‘passages’ by creating an atmosphere of serenity and reason to appreciate life and stay sober. I tried AA and it sucked. It depressed the hell out of me, and I will never go back. AA never challenged me to go into the depths of my mind and heart and really dig into why I was drinking. Each time I was sober, the pain was too much and so I would relapse — simply because I didn’t have the tools to take my past head on as I do now. Please, if you have not read the book by Chris Prentiss, please do so prior to crushing the hopes of people that this book might just work for. For everyone, there is a source of hope. And, I do believe in a ‘cure’. We have to treat our pain from before, for those of us whom have self medicated, and from that treatment, an entire host of good things follow. This book is not overly religious either, something that I really appreciated because I don’t like the AA message crammed down my throat. To all readers, enjoy the day, be safe, and best luck in finding what works best for YOU! Pat yourself on the back for at least trying to better yourself and your health.

Comment on The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure? by Heather

Heather — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:49:41 +0000

To me it sounded like a good way to fatten his pocket from the infomercial. I don’t want to purchase the book and fatten the pocket of a man with an ego that size. I wonder if this man knows the harm he’s doing to the recovering community? I thought to myself of the infomercial he was out to fatten his pocket. It’s a sad day when someone sicker than an alcoholic/addict thinks he has the cure. E-G-O!

Comment on The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure? by Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:15:23 +0000

I have read Prentiss’ book after spending 8 years in AA. I had 3 years sober, relapsed, 4 years, relapsed, 6 months, relapsed and now have almost 4 months back. I never stopped going to meetings during all my relapses and each time I relapsed I ‘tried to do AA a different way’. Now I don’t know what else to do because all the ways have not worked. I had sponsees, did the steps, came in very willing and took every suggestion given to me. But now, after this last relapse I’m thinking something is not right. There is something gnawing at me about this whole thing and a series of events have occurred (spiritually, like I’ve been guided) to make me realized that each relapse followed a break up. Why? in AA they would say ‘there’s no reason you drank, you just are an alcoholic’ but after seeing this pattern of broken hearted pain, then relapse, I’ve come to believe that the root to my self destruction lays in some ancient injury and that it is not just because ‘that’s what alchie’s do’. I have no resentment towards AA I have seen it change lives. But I know there are reasons why we do what we do. There are reasons in every other area of life, psychological explanations - why not here too? I do think that there is alot of fear of relapse, people do die from this and it’s serious stuff, but I also know many, about six friends of mine who were hard core addicts, went to AA for several years, then matured out of it and now live normal lives, married, with the occasional beer. Were they never alcoholics? One was on heroin and went to 10 rehabs. Now he’s married and drinks normally, a nice grown up man. I think AA is a great place for people who don’t have friends, it’s really a social club with the focus on drinking, but like most social clubs, people are people and there is alot of high school like behavior. The other thing about AA is that many of my friends who have stayed sober for years yet they are not self aware and seem to have an amorality whereas my ‘normie’ friends are well rounded, and kind. They haven’t had a drink, true, but there are larger issue that are not being addressed, like, how to be a nice person or not betray others. With all the talk of God, I have found a few angels there, but mostly alot of unhappy people who are not getting what they want in life both professionally and romantically….myself included, I think they are missing a kind of joy for living…..just my two cents….and experience, sometimes strength but lots of hope for myself and everyone.

Comment on May 16, 2009 - Families in Recovery by Mike

Mike — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:10:13 +0000

Nice talk show/blog post!
Thanks Dr. Dutton knows her information. If I were a family member of active addict I’d surely want her in my corner.
I think a lot of people forget about the lives of the people addicts affect and that is why it’s important to offer help on that level as well!

Comment on The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure? by Nick Pitera

Nick Pitera — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:13:43 +0000

This is a tough subject. First off I would like to say that it seems like everyone has made nice after some strong words. It’s all good, sometimes you have to let out your frustrations. I think Thomas Jefferson said all ideas must be laid out on the field and picked apart until only the best stuff remains…Actually I don’t think it was Jefferson.. I digress. I have been sober for a little over six years now. I was looking at this new cure because I want to hang out and drink a few beers like normal people.(Disease talking) We only live once and I hate the thought of getting married and not having a few drinks because “oh he had a problem shhh”. I went to rehab and had a wonderful AA experience. I feel like the program does several things that cause people to reject it. Sponsors should be temporary, meetings optional, stepwork mandatory(for a time). The idea that you never graduate AA is a grim way to look at your life. That’s not to say I didn’t meet the best people in the world in AA but I also met some depressing cases that made me realize I didn’t want to be around early recovery on a regular basis. I choose to be mindful of peoples problems in general and make myself available for anyone who may be having a problem of anykind, is that not carrying the message? Honestly I don’t think it’s a disease. If it is then AA isn’t the holy grail. I hate to say it but I can’t name one person out of my rehab who has stayed clean. I’m the only one. Is that really everyone elses fault but the program of AA?(What about cleaning your own side of the street AA, What part did you play in the person not liking you as a program of recovery)? The more I think about it the more I think I could drink again. If anything to prove that AA is flawed. I really believe that my problems led me to drink. Ihave fixed both problems now why would I have anything to worry about? As for the message of AA being watered down, I disagree. I must have read that book 15 times and I did the steps 3 times. AA is alive and well an will continue to be taught by human beings not robots. The bottom line for me is simply this; I believe surrounding yourself for the rest of your life with addicts who have varying degrees of sobriety and sanity is in fact a big allbeit sometimes gloriously fun mistake.

Comment on Grief in Addiction Recovery by Mike

Mike — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:40:57 +0000

Thanks for the informative blog.
What immediately came to mind was: What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I think in a lot of cases alcoholics once had a good time with booze…but then it turns and they constantly search to have the good time again. But booze is like a friend with a split personality–the bad side usually wins out.

Comment on The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure? by Jourdan Braman

Jourdan Braman — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:06:11 +0000

I am just concluding my 8th year of sobriety, one day at a time. I heard it best said, “If you are ready to quit using, I can’t say the wrong thing, and if you are not ready to quit using, I can’t say the right thing”. I was court ordered to AA many times and it did nothing because i had NO desire to quit. I was still living in my denial lie. I just sat there with contempt for all the drunks I was sure I was way cooler than. I was convinced that I absorbed nothing. Then, when I hit my “bottom’ I instinctively knew where i had to be and was at a meeting within 1 hour of being bailed out of jail. I’ve not used an intoxicating substance since. Everyone’s bottom is different and this past january we buried my best friend who never found his. The woman I love most in the world is heading down the addiction/depression road due in part to childhood trauma and i am helpless to do anything. Denial is a mean bitch! The point is, AA and the fellowship saved my life but i also utilized other things. With the help of a sponser, I identified some major childhood trauma that had alot to do with my self-medicating. My sponser freely indicated to me that neither he nor AA could address these issues and I entered therapy. The Big book speaks of utilizing any means necessary and doesn’t believe AA is the end-all. What people outside the program don’t understand is that you don’t do the steps to quit using, you quit using to do the steps. The steps are a way of living in truth, peace, and reletive serenity without the use of drugs or alcohol. Therapy was also life-saving and to this day I think of my therapist as my guardian angel. AA is self-supporting, refusing outside funding and, “our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics(addicts) to achieve sobriety”. We give to newcomers that which was so freely given to us, but like anything else, ya gotta want it. I would feel suspect of any salesman that told me he could have cured complex spiritual, emotional, and physical damage in me for $19.95 plus shipping and handling. No easy answers kids. For those of you still “out there’, my prayers are with you.

Comment on The Gateway Drug Theory in Substance Abuse Relapse by Mike

Mike — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:11:33 +0000

Thanks for your post.
A gateway drug is just that…a gateway to lower the inhibitions to try other types of drugs. However, just because someone tries a pot, alcohol or another type of drug doesn’t mean they will automatically become addicted. There are many avenues that lead to addiction, some say addiction is even genetic.
Drink Non-alcoholic Beer, can lead to a relapse but there is no direct line that I’ve come across. It would all depend on the reasoning behind drinking N/A beer to begin with. Some just actually like the taste of beer.