1. THIS WEEK'S SHOW:     ADDICTION IS A FAMILY     DISEASE- SPECIAL INTERVIEW     WITH WILLIAM BORCHERT     "THE LOIS WILSON STORY:     WHEN LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH" 2. STRAIGHT TALK FROM THE     DOC: UNDERSTANDING     ADDICTION'S THREE     COMPONENTS 3. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY-     "GRATITUDE" -BY BOB MUNCK  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. Part 4 in the "Recovery Radio Declares War on Addiction" Series: "ADDICTION: In our Homes and Within our Families"
THIS WEEK'S SHOW SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26th

This week we'll be doing an on-air interview with William Borchert, author of the recently-released book "The Lois Wilson Story: When Love is Not Enough".  Mr. Borchert was the scriptwriter of the classic movie that most all AA's have seen and revered: "My Name is Bill W", the story of the origin of Alcoholics Anonymous staring James Garner and others. You will NOT want to miss this special opportunity to dialogue with Mr. Borchert, and to hear first-hand some fascinating stories about the founder of the Al-Anon movement, and wife of AA co-founder, Bill Wilson.

Alcoholism and addiction is a FAMILY DISEASE. We will focus our attention on this important reality, and discuss ways that loved ones can deal not only with the addict they love, but with themselves. They, too, become sick. And need healing.

Addiction, as a family disease, starts of course with the individual active addict, who creates chaos. Loved ones are at first disbelieving; wishing to think that there must be SOME other reason for his or her loved one's increasingly bizarre and unacceptable behavior. Soon, they find themselves making excuses to others for their addict's actions. Or, they help cover it up. As time passes, we find that they unwittingly enable the addict's continuing behavior while simultaneously becoming increasingly depressed and angry, and withdrawing from their own normal activities.

Eventually the entire family becomes completely dysfunctional. Although they may not be using drugs or alcohol, family members nonetheless exhibit many of the same emotional and spiritual maladies possessed by the addict himself. “Co-dependency” is the term used to describe the foregoing dynamics - where family members and loved ones adapt to the addict by unconsciously enabling the addict’s behavior and actions, while at the same time compromising their own emotional and spiritual health.

Healing from addiction must involve the entire family. AA, NA, and many other 12-Step groups exist for the addict/alcoholic. Al-Anon is also a 12-Step Support group which is for family members of addicts and alcoholics. It was founded by AA co-founder Bill Wilson’s wife, Lois. Lois Wilson was once quoted as saying something like, “My dear Bill’s addiction was alcohol….mine….was Bill”. This short phrase best describes the pathology of co-dependency, and the family disease concept here.

This week we will discuss WHY ADDICTION IS A FAMILY DISEASE. We will explore deeper the concept of co-dependency, and define the term “enabling”. Resources will be described and offered.

And our very special treat will be the on-air live interview with Bill Borchert, author of the recently-released “The Lois Wilson Story: When Love is not Enough”. Mr. Borchert, who has 40 years of personal sobriety, had the unique and wonderful opportunity to know Lois Wilson intimately. Before her death at age 97, he had interviewed her extensively in preparation for writing his screenplay for the Oscar-winning movie, “My Name is Bill W.”, the story of the origins of Alcoholics Anonymous.

While packing his New York home a couple of years ago in preparation for his wife Bernadette's and his move to South Carolina, he came across an old box filled with tapes of his conversations with Lois Wilson. Listening to those tapes, he realized immediately that Lois Wilson’s story had not yet been recorded for the benefit of the public. So, he decided to write this fascinating book, which is quickly becoming a best-seller. You will not want to miss this great interview, and you will have the opportunity to call in and ask YOUR QUESTIONS of Mr. Borchert!! This is as close to knowing Lois and Bill Wilson that most of us will ever have!!! Don’t miss it.

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.  Addiction: A Medical, Emotional, and Spiritual Disease
     Straight Talk from the Doc - by Dr. Steve

Addiction is different from many medical diseases in that it has three distinct and complementary components: Medical, Emotional, and Spiritual.

No question it is a genetic and inherited disorder of the brain, where “pleasure” and “satisfaction” are processed by the brain in a manner different in addicts than in so-called “normies”. Once an addict experiences a notable pleasure-producing event, he/she wishes to repeat it over and over….and over. This is the compulsive behavior that characterizes addiction. A normie will take a drink and say “Ho-Hum”. The addict will already be grabbing YOUR drink and making sure that his his supply will never end.

You can now see that addiction has a medical/genetic basis in being what can be thought of as a dysfunctional pleasure-processing mechanism of the brain. Often the inciting event we are talking about is a drug or alcohol…but it can be ANYTHING…such as sex, gambling, eating, anger…or any other compulsive behavior which has its roots in basic sensations of pleasure or good feelings.

What about the emotional and spiritual components? All basic feelings and sensations processed by the brain are in turn packaged into emotions…this is where the psychological, emotional, and ultimately the spiritual aspects come in. For instance…a kiss is pleasurable…and leads to emotions of love and attachment to that person we have kissed…and perhaps…to an enduring and life-long spiritual connection with that person. In the addict, the effects of dysfunctional pleasure-processing lead to sick and deranged emotions and spiritual connections… and this is the basis for the emotional and spiritual-disorder aspects of addiction.

Spirituality refers to the highest level of brain function and human consciousness. Since the inception of mankind, humans have felt the presence of a “higher power”, whom many call God, Allah, or the like. It is at this level that the basic personal conception of what is “right and wrong” is developed. If one’s emotions are sick and crippled by faulty addictive behavior, it only follows that one’s spiritual connection, and sense of what is “right and wrong” in life- will also be severely compromised. Such is the case with addicts. They are sick medically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Recovery must address all three components. The first order is to stop the compulsive behavior. This would be to stop the compulsive behavior in the case of “behavioral addictions”, or to stop taking the drug or alcohol in the case of drugs. DETOX, is a medical issue and is the first step toward allowing the brain to heal. Certain drugs, medications, and nutritional considerations may help the brain to heal, too. Next order is to address the emotional and spiritual maladies that have followed the drug or alcohol use. For many, this includes rehab treatment, along with ongoing 12-Step support groups. Spiritual healing may come quickly, but for many comes slowly, and requires a conscious effort to develop a meaningful connection with one’s higher power.

The ideal Recovery prescription will address all three components of the disease of Addiction: Medical, Emotional, and Spiritual. Be Honest with your Doctor, Be Diligent with your rehab and 12Step support group, and build an enduring spiritual connection with YOUR higher power.

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.

Gratitude
by Bob Munck

This Thursday all across America, families will gather on Thanksgiving Day to celebrate the divine goodness in their lives experienced during the last year. To acknowledge that goodness, there must be Gratitude in your life! To have Gratitude means that you personally have received something good in your life or the life of someone you Love. Question: ,On this Thanksgiving Day did you have something to be grateful for in your life?

In my Recovery from Addictions that started 15 years ago, I was asked to write a gratitude list of things that I felt thankful for; a practice that I continue Today.

I am grateful for:

Having a loving & forgiving GOD in my life; Being a FREE MAN; FOR HAVING MY HEALTH RESTORED; Being Free from the obsession of Alcohol & Drugs; Having a clean roof over my head; Having my wife, 3 sons & their wives and 10 grandchildren in my life today; and Having the opportunity to serve God and his kingdom today.

When we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired ("H.A.L.T."), we become ungrateful for the Good things that are in our Life Today! And may argue and focus on the Wrong in our lives.

Let me ask you this: On this past Thanksgiving Day, with your family or friends sitting around the table with the Turkey and all of the Trimmings---- Did you truly feel any thanks in your heart for your life, your family, your loved ones, your friends, your job- or just anything??? Please find that something in your life for which to be grateful and thankful, because that spark of hope will burn and brighten the pathway to all your dreams and visions.

If not, I pray that God will Bless, Grace and have Mercy on you, your family, your business, and your walk with Jesus, now and forever!

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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