How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Sobriety in the New Year

How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Sobriety in the New YearEvery new year brings a fresh start. But if problems and patterns from the past keep repeating, if addiction is a constant battle, if it’s hard to maintain sobriety, then self-sabotage may be the sneaky culprit.

What is self-sabotage?
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines “sabotage” as: “destruction of property or the hindering of manufacturing by discontented workers; destructive or obstructive action; an act or process tending to hamper or hurt; deliberate subversion.” Addiction itself is a form of self-sabotage. Rather than dealing with painful emotions and events in healthy ways, it is often easier to turn to (more…)

Life Recovery Step Twelve: Carry the Message to Others

Carry the Message to OthersAfter embarking on the journey of Life Recovery and completing Steps One through Eleven, the last step is Step Twelve. Step Twelve of Life Recovery says, “Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we have tried to carry this message to others, and to follow these principles in everything we do.”

To “carry this message to others” and to help them get off the wrong path and onto the right one, there are four important qualities one must have.

First, it takes courage. Whether at a meeting or in everyday life, God will provide many opportunities to share the message of Life Recovery. Find a Life Recovery Group, participate in the weekly meetings, invite others to attend, mentor someone, or even lead a Life Recovery Group. Learn how to start a Life Recovery Group.

Secondly, it takes gentleness. (more…)

9 Tips for Staying Sober During the Holiday Season

9 Tips for Staying Sober During the Holiday SeasonBetween parties and family get-togethers, staying sober during the holidays can be a challenge. Interacting with old friends and family members may stir up hard feelings, bad memories, difficult conversations, and tempting situations. But by following these tips, it’s possible to thrive—not just survive—this holiday season.

1. Have a plan in place.
Before going to a party or spending time with family, think about what will happen. Have a team of friends and accountability partners to provide support. Here are some questions to ask:

  • “Who is going to be there?”
  • “What feelings will this bring up?”
  • “Am I even ready to go?”

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12 Steps to Growing Your Faith

12 Steps to Growing Your Faith

  1. Confess any shortcomings.
    Confession means “to agree with” God what is true about one’s condition. One must stop blaming others and excusing themselves. When an individual asks God for forgiveness, “He is faithful and just to forgive” them (1 John 1:9, NLT). Only when someone confesses that they are stuck will they begin to get unstuck and start to grow in their faith.
  2. Admit any failures.
    No one can save themselves. One must come to the end of themselves, admit their failures, and say, “God, I’ve failed in my attempts to change and to get better.” But if someone tries to overcome their problems by willpower alone, they will fail. Instead of trying harder, they must admit they are weak, and then they’ll find strength in the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says Christ’s “power works best in weakness.”
  3. Get help from God. (more…)

Life Recovery Step Eleven: Prayer and Meditation

Life Recovery Step Eleven: Prayer and MeditationEver been in a conversation where the other person does all the talking? Having to deal with this is frustrating, right? It’s easy to feel unloved, unheard, and unseen when this happens.

How does this relate to recovery? It’s hard for someone in recovery to hear what God is saying to them if they do not take the time to listen to Him. As a result, they won’t experience a deep relationship with the Lord. By closing their ears, they are losing an opportunity for God to speak truth, hope, and peace into their lives.

This is why taking the time to go through Life Recovery Step Eleven is so important. (more…)