1. RECOVERY RADIO ANNOUNCES     DECEMBER THEME 2. THIS WEEK'S SHOW: DEFINING     ONE'S HIGHER POWER 3. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY-     TEENAGE DRINKING AND     DRIVING -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. RECOVERY RADIO ANNOUNCES DECEMBER THEME - by Dr Steve 
GOD, "HIGHER POWER", AND SPIRITUALITY IN THE 12-STEP PROGRAMS FOR RECOVERY FROM ADDICTIONS

December is a spiritual time of the year, as Christians throughout the world contemplate and celebrate the most important event in the history of that religion: the birth of Christ. So, it is only fitting that Recovery Radio has chosen December to address a spiritual topic for its theme this month. This month we will examine and discuss the topic of God, Higher Power(s), and Spirituality as they pertain to the various 12-Step programs for recovery from addictions.

Why is this such an important topic? The reason is quite simple: Spirituality is a key concept in the 12-Step programs. Within them, addiction is considered to be a "medical, emotional, and SPIRITUAL malady". For an addict to be successful a 12-Step program, he/she MUST grapple with his own sense of "god", or a "higher power".

For those addicts who are Christian "believers", addressing the "spiritual malady" in a largely Christian context is relatively simple. But for a Jew, a Muslim...or especially an atheist...many hurdles exist for him or her simply because of the fact that 12-Step programs embody (and tacitly embrace) many specifically CHRISTIAN concepts and paradigms. In many ways, this is unfortunate since this reality brings religion into an already-controversial subject.

Twelve-Step Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are generally held to be the most effective programs currently in existence for achieving sobriety, and for maintaining recovery from addictions of all types. The first three steps may be looked upon as being the process whereby the addict finally hits his own personal “bottom”, and realizes that his condition is dire and that he needs help. He then makes the conscious and deliberate decision to ask for that help.

Step One: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol (drugs)-- that our lives had become unmanageable. Step Two: Came to believe that a power higher than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Step Three: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.

Reliance upon a “Higher Power” is a critical concept within the Twelve-Step process for recovery. For many alcoholics and addicts, the biggest stumbling block comes on quickly as they are exposed to the second and third steps. Defining “God” or a “Higher Power” within the 12-Step programs is problematic for many people for reasons espoused above.

Some historical background is very helpful in understanding the genesis of this whole issue of spirituality in the context of recovery from addictions.

AA was developed by co-founders Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith back in the 1930’s as they struggled to put together an EMPIRIC formula or process that would help the alcoholic to overcome a disorder that until their time was felt to be “untreatable” and “hopeless”. There is NO science here. It simply worked...and for many addicts and alcoholics this was indeed tantamount to a miracle!!

Prior to then, absolutely nothing worked to cure addiction. A core belief of the AA founders was that alcoholism (addiction) was a disease with three components: Medical, Emotional, and Spiritual. As regards the latter, they felt that reliance upon God was an essential part of the program. The fact that AA does work has resulted in the widely held belief that reliance upon a Higher Power is essential for AA or any other Twelve-Step program to be successful.

AA as an organization has roots in the “Oxford Movement”, a Christian religious-based group back in the early 1900’s that attracted Bill Wilson’s attention as he struggled to find a solution to his own hopeless alcoholism. AA is not a religious organization, and the early AA founders parted ways from the Oxford Group very early in its development as an organization. But many core concepts and references in the “Big Book” and other AA books and publications retain Christian references and connotations. Although AA uses the term “God as we understood him”, many people and especially active addicts have a difficult time in accepting ANY type of religious dogma.

This month we will examine the Twelve-Step programs as pertains to “Spirituality” and will address the approach to dealing with the “spiritual malady” component of the disease of addiction.. In particular, we will parse the concept, definition, and application of “God” and “Higher Power” within these very successful programs. We will give tips, tools, and resources for dealing with the 2nd and 3rd steps of the 12-Step programs.

Recovery Radio believes that recovery is good no matter how it is achieved. No alcoholic or addict should EVER feel pushed away. Our goal will be to help our listeners to understand the importance of the “Higher Power” concept in the Twelve-Step programs, and to show how even the most jaded “non-believers” may embrace the Twelve Steps as an effective and useful recovery tool, and to be successful in their own struggle to overcome addiction.

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.  THIS WEEK'S SHOW
     Part I of our Special Series “GOD, "HIGHER POWER", AND SPIRITUALITY IN THE 12-STEP PROGRAMS FOR RECOVERY FROM ADDICTIONS"

“DEFINING ONE’S HIGHER POWER”

Twelve-Step programs require that the addict embrace the concept of a “higher power”, and to use one’s higher power to overcome the spiritual-malady aspect of addiction. Many people equate “God” with “Higher Power”. This is not necessarily the case. But regardless, how can a “non-believer” ever become a successful member of a Twelve-Step Fellowship?? It IS POSSIBLE!! We will help you understand why, within the Twelve-Step model of addiction, Addiction is a Spiritual malady in addition to being a medical and emotional disease. We will help you understand how the concept of “higher power” can work for you, and how YOU can use these tools to augment YOUR recovery.

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

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.

"This past week I've been thinking about the upcoming Christmas season, and about all of the parties that young people will be attending, and where underage drinking will be occurring. Too many unnecessary deaths will happen." - Bob Munck

"SO- YOU WANT TO DRINK AND DRIVE???"
adapted by Bob Munck

I went to a party, Mom. I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, so I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, the way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom, even though the others said I should. I know I did the right thing, I know you are always right.

Now the party is finally ending, as everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me, so responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, but as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn't see me, and hit me like a load.

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman say,
The other guy is drunk,
Mom, and now I'm the one who will pay. I'm lying here dying, Mom. I wish you'd get here soon. Oh! How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon.

There is blood all around me and most of it is mine. I hear the medic say, I'll die in a short time. I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom. The others didn't think. He was probably at the same party as I. The only difference is, he drank and I will die.

Why do people drink and Drive Mom? It can ruin your whole life.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, and I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying and all he can do is stare. So Mom Why do they Drink?

Tell my brother not to cry. Tell Daddy to be brave. And Mom, when I go to heaven, put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.
Someone should have told him, Mom, not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom. I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I needed you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom, before I say good-bye.
I didn't drink and drive, so why am I the one to die???!!!
 

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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