1. THIS WEEK'S SHOW: IN THE     WAR ROOMS OF      WASHINGTON, DC 2. STRAIGHT TALK FROM THE     DOC: DRUG POLICY IS     FALLACY 3. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY-     REFLECTIONS OF A RECOVERY     LEADER      4. RECOVERY RADIO A NOT-FOR-     PROFIT ORGANIZATION 5. HYTHIAM IS OUR NEW     CORPORATE SPONSOR 6. CONTACT US ANYTIME- 24/7 7. SIGN UP FOR THE FLASH!

1. THE WAR ON ADDICTION: IN THE WAR ROOMS OF WASHINGTON, DC
THIS WEEK'S SHOW SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17th

This week we will take a look at the WAR ON ADDICTION from a national perspective: What is the effect of alcoholism and addiction on our nation?? Who makes drug policy, and why are our nation's drug policies as as unusual as they are (bizarre!)?? Why do our policy makers not see alcoholism and drug addiction as the DISEASE that it is?? Why has this nation been ineffective in dealing with drugs and addiction?? Join us this Saturday as we explore these and other related issues. You will agree with us that in order for our our nation to be victorious in the War on Addiction, major changes MUST BE MADE in the war rooms of Washington, DC.

So please join us LIVE!! this Saturday night...6 - 8P Pacific Time. 99.5 FM KKLA in Los Angeles, or in 10 other cities. Also, streaming LIVE on the Web!! RECOVERY WORKS!!!!
 

2.  NATIONAL DRUG POLICY IS A FALLACY 
     Straight Talk from the Doc - by Dr. Steve

Addiction IS a disease. A BRAIN DISEASE. It is NOT a moral lapse or a lifestyle choice- any more than cancer or heart disease is. More than ample evidence exists to support the disease model unequivocally.

So why do we as a nation treat addiction as a crime rather than the brain disease that it is??? Why do we marginalize and ostracize addicts and alcoholics, rather than provide them the treatment resources they need to find recovery, health, and renewed productivity??

The answer is fairly simple: No one likes what addicts do. We lie, cheat, and steal. Many of us commit crime along the way. We create havoc everywhere we go, leaving others tired, exhausted, exasperated, and frazzled. In fact, the public HATES what addicts do , and their reflex response is to strike back in the most primitive way: PUNISHMENT.

It is UNDERSTANDABLE that the public at large might be repulsed and angered by drug-and–alcohol-related crime and other chaos caused by addicts. It is only natural to react in this non-productive and reactive manner. But...it is just not right, nonetheless.

Oddly, the Recovery Community must accept equal blame here for the continuation of misdirected national drug policy, as it has NOT DONE ENOUGH to lobby congress for sane drug and alcohol policy. Rather, it has chosen to hide its head in its “traditions”, which call for anonymity in press, radio, and film.

So….the result is…Today Addiction is looked at in Washington- as well as in our living rooms- in a way similar to how mental illness was looked at 20 years ago. As a nation we have buried our heads in the sand, and have tried to beat back a disease by punishing those who have it. And those who suffer have not been vocal nor effective in advocating for themselves.

Does this make sense?? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

Our nation would be far better off if we were able to accomplish three simple things:

1) Recognize and accept the fact that ADDICTION IS A DISEASE. This one goal is by far the most important challenge before us.

2) Change our approach to the national drug war from a criminal model to a disease model. RECOVERY WORKS!!

3) The AA and other 12-Step groups must CHANGE their approach towards their "anonymity" traditions, to allow for- and ENCOURAGE- the recovery community to band together politically. Unless we get our heads out from the sand, our nation's ill-conceived drug policy will prevail.

In a nutshell, we must recognize addiction for the disease it is, and treat it accordingly. Recovery Works!!!

This is Dr. Steve…giving it to you straight!!!!

Each week on our show, Bob presents his "Thought for the Day", a unique and powerful personal devotion. This is from a man with 15 years of personal sobriety, and with many years of recovery leadership. He has seen and heard it all. He has sponsored hundreds of men during that time. Addiction is a medical disease that is unique in having emotional and spiritual components, as well. This week in the FLASH! we are reprinting Bob's Thought for the Day for this week...a spiritual reflection which challenges and inspires those of us in recovery.

GRACE ....by Bob Munck

Because you are clean and sober today does NOT mean that you will not experience struggles and emotional upheavals in your daily life with people, places and things. The sooner we learn that we have no control over people, places and things, the quicker we humble ourselves to our Lord and Creator of the Heavens and Universe; because God is the only One who has total control over all of His Creation.

It is in the struggle and conflict of our emotions and thinking that God will always teach you about His Grace. Grace is God’s gift to all of mankind, because you can’t earn it, work it, make it or boast of it. It can only be given to someone by someone who has the grace to give. Think about it: Grace is the spiritual fuel that drives the body, mind, spirit and soul of every human being.

Grace comes to us by surrendering and humbling ourselves to God in each one every one of our struggles and conflicts first, so that only He can teach us and heal us from our own self- destructive natures. Only then do we have the Grace of God inside of us- which in turn allows us to give of ourselves and of our own grace- to others who are struggling with their own conflicts with "people, places, and things".

Dear God , I pray that you will give us the courage to completely surrender all of our struggles and conflicts to you first, so that we can be healed and filled with your Grace. May I always give the Grace from the Grace I receive. Your Grace is the Glue that Holds relationships together in times of Conflict, so please give us more Grace. Amen

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The Recovery Radio Show is organized as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit public benefit corporation under the IRS tax code: Our Mission is to provide education about addiction to our fellow human beings, and to do what we can to allow those still suffering to get into recovery. If you, or your company, would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the RRS, you may do so with our profound thanks and appreciation by clicking on the link above, or by going to the "DONATE" button on our website on the HOME page. Or, you may call our very own Melissa Stewart at 866.334.0471 M-F between the hours of 8A - 5P.

That's it for this week....Join us this Saturday Night, won't you?????.....6-8 Pacific Time...on-air, or on the web.

Yours very truly, and in sobriety,
Dr Steve, Bob, and the Recovery Radio Crew