Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - (Page 53) Twelve Step Program is also of value to many. A.A. offers a safe haven for individuals who are afflicted with alcoholism and drug addiction. Those who join and remain in the Twelve Step Program find the support to reclaim their “self” and rebuild their lives. The program “works if you work it,” according to an old A.A. adage. I attended an A.A. “open meeting” (in which someone who is not alcoholic but would like to learn more is welcome to attend; “closed meetings” are only for those who are working on recovering from alcoholism) in an effort to learn more about the program. It was an incredible experience. From the start of the open discussion, the members introduced themselves and then spoke about their efforts to do the right thing. One by one, they volunteered their stories of struggle and strength acquired from their participation in the A.A. group. Many echoed the sentiment that they felt most at home at their A.A. meetings and that they knew they were always one arms length away from a drink. A.A. gave them the support not to reach for it. Alcoholics and drug abusers come to A.A. when their lives have “become unmanageable,” a phrase found in Step One of the Twelve Steps. At the root of Step One is acceptance of ones’ powerlessness over alcohol and drugs. In A.A., the members share their trials and tribulations, which stem from their addiction, within a safe forum. The alcoholic or addict has to get in touch with himself or herself and discover the “personality defects” and “shortcomings” which helped contribute to the addiction in the first place. Some of these defects are self-centeredness and immaturity. Immaturity causes people to respond to life in a self-defeating way. As the alcoholic comes to accept that drinking is out of his or her control, regular attendance at A.A. meetings will help support their recovery. According to Robert Cancro, MD, “In the early 1960’s, the first rehabilitation ward in NYC was established at King’s County Hospital under my direction. Very quickly I brought A.A. onto the unit as part of our treatment program. Interestingly, I was not permitted to attend the meetings because I was not an alcoholic but nevertheless I was able to realize the enormous value of their program. While some patients were not interested, or at least were not interested at the time, those that got involved benefited enormously. My experience with A.A. in the years since then has only reinforced my positive impression.” Veterans who have survived traumatic events and are indulging in excessive alcohol or drugs to “deal” with their lives, problems, and feelings should strongly consider joining A.A. What A.A. gives to those who are chemically dependent is a safe environment to learn more healthy ways of coping with life’s stressors. Drinking and using drugs is maladaptive and has to be replaced with better coping skills. In A.A. members find refuge with others who have been down the same road. A.A. offers a sense of community to those making a real effort to improve themselves and reach a level of sobriety. Groups are very successful because the members identify with almost all others in the room. Through identifying with other members, one’s poor sense of self begins to improve. A foundation for recovery in A.A. is the ability for the alcoholic to believe in a power greater than self. It is described in the Twelve Steps and A.A. language as God or a “higher power.” Members are encouraged to turn their will and lives over to this “higher power.” The idea behind this is that the addiction is beyond alcoholics’ own capability to master it, and that this power can help them, and aid them in rebuilding their lives. The thought is that if an alcoholic or addict has given a “lower power”—for example, alcohol or drugs—the power to “help” deal with his or her life, then why not give a Higher Power a chance? While many members experience “spiritual awakenings” during their recovery, A.A. does not dictate what its members’ spiritual beliefs should be. The Twelve Steps give members a sense of spirituality, not religiosity. The members stress that there is a very large difference between the two. Cravings are a natural part of the recovery process. Relapse is something that is expected. The point is to get back “on the wagon” and continue working the Twelve Steps. There is no race to complete the Twelve Steps. One could remain on Step One or any other step for years. It is the journey not the destination that is important to reclaim your mental, emotional and physical health. Given that a stigma is attached to being labeled an alcoholic and or drug abuser, many who suffer are deterred from getting treatment and joining the program. Those who are critical of the afflicted should remember that alcoholism or drug addiction is a disease. It affects all socioeconomic levels of society. It does not discriminate. When someone who is pursuing help is judged, a great disservice is done to them. Being an alcoholic or drug user has nothing to do with your character, strength, or will. It is a progressive disease. Many alcoholics/addicts suffer from low self-esteem. At the meeting, certain members spoke of themselves in a deprecating manner. One man said that he did not like himself. One of the members told me that: “A.A. takes a negative personality and transforms it into a positive personality.” Alcoholics/addicts have depended on alcohol and drugs to feel better about themselves, but the relief is illusory and fleeting and the cost high - not only in money but self-esteem and physical health. With A.A. the alcoholic is given a chance to slowly, day by day, learn new ways to lead a more fulfilling life. They now use the program and a Higher Power to lead them to a life filled with self-awareness and fulfillment. They see others changing through the program and that gives them role models to follow as they rebuild their lives. Still, with all of this support, the road to recovery is not an easy one. All of the members are aware that the process of recovery will never be finished. This is a lifetime commitment. One of the www.eparent.com/EP MAGAZINE • August 2009 53 http://www.eparent.com Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Exceptional Parent - August 2009 Exceptional Parent - August 2009 Contents Ancora Imparo What's Happening Further Reading New Products 2009 Disability Awareness Night Schedule 2009 Models of Excellence in the Healthcare Profession Preterm Birth: How It Affected My Family Treatment of Neurosensory Disorders Improves Psychological Well-Being in Children Federal Program Encourages Health Service Innovations on Developmental Disabilities Close Encounters of the Medical Kind Sitting on top of the World: One Physician's Journey to Success Raising a Noonan Syndrome Child When We Found Out Our Daughter Had CMT August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month! Newborn Screening Saves Babies, One Foot at a Time Another Day in the Life of the National Children's Study Evidence Based Humanity Must Be Part of the Equation Incontinence Education Series Part 7 Emergency Preparedness Series Part 4 On the Road to Recovery - Self-Deiscovery: The Crown Jewel of Psychotherapy Asperger Syndrome and the Difficulties of Diagnosing and Treating Related Conditions EP Bookstore Special Needs Alliance Specialcare AADMD - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry Organizational Spotlight Living with a Disability Exceptional Parent - August 2009 Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Exceptional Parent - August 2009 (Page Cover1) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Exceptional Parent - August 2009 (Page Cover2) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Exceptional Parent - August 2009 (Page 1) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Contents (Page 2) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Contents (Page 3) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Contents (Page 4) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Contents (Page 5) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Ancora Imparo (Page 6) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Ancora Imparo (Page 7) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Ancora Imparo (Page 8) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Ancora Imparo (Page 9) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - What's Happening (Page 10) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - What's Happening (Page 11) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Further Reading (Page 12) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Further Reading (Page 13) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - New Products (Page 14) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - New Products (Page 15) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - New Products (Page 16) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - 2009 Disability Awareness Night Schedule (Page 17) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - 2009 Models of Excellence in the Healthcare Profession (Page 18) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - 2009 Models of Excellence in the Healthcare Profession (Page 19) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Preterm Birth: How It Affected My Family (Page 20) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Preterm Birth: How It Affected My Family (Page 21) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Treatment of Neurosensory Disorders Improves Psychological Well-Being in Children (Page 22) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Treatment of Neurosensory Disorders Improves Psychological Well-Being in Children (Page 23) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Treatment of Neurosensory Disorders Improves Psychological Well-Being in Children (Page 24) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Treatment of Neurosensory Disorders Improves Psychological Well-Being in Children (Page 25) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Federal Program Encourages Health Service Innovations on Developmental Disabilities (Page 26) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Federal Program Encourages Health Service Innovations on Developmental Disabilities (Page 27) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Close Encounters of the Medical Kind (Page 28) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Close Encounters of the Medical Kind (Page 29) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Close Encounters of the Medical Kind (Page 30) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Close Encounters of the Medical Kind (Page 31) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Sitting on top of the World: One Physician's Journey to Success (Page 32) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Sitting on top of the World: One Physician's Journey to Success (Page 33) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Raising a Noonan Syndrome Child (Page 34) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Raising a Noonan Syndrome Child (Page 35) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - When We Found Out Our Daughter Had CMT (Page 36) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - When We Found Out Our Daughter Had CMT (Page 37) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month! (Page 38) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Newborn Screening Saves Babies, One Foot at a Time (Page 39) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Another Day in the Life of the National Children's Study (Page 40) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Another Day in the Life of the National Children's Study (Page 41) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Another Day in the Life of the National Children's Study (Page 42) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Another Day in the Life of the National Children's Study (Page 43) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Evidence Based Humanity Must Be Part of the Equation (Page 44) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Evidence Based Humanity Must Be Part of the Equation (Page 45) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Incontinence Education Series Part 7 (Page 46) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Incontinence Education Series Part 7 (Page 47) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Incontinence Education Series Part 7 (Page 48) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Emergency Preparedness Series Part 4 (Page 49) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Emergency Preparedness Series Part 4 (Page 50) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Emergency Preparedness Series Part 4 (Page 51) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - On the Road to Recovery - Self-Deiscovery: The Crown Jewel of Psychotherapy (Page 52) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - On the Road to Recovery - Self-Deiscovery: The Crown Jewel of Psychotherapy (Page 53) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - On the Road to Recovery - Self-Deiscovery: The Crown Jewel of Psychotherapy (Page 54) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - On the Road to Recovery - Self-Deiscovery: The Crown Jewel of Psychotherapy (Page 55) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Asperger Syndrome and the Difficulties of Diagnosing and Treating Related Conditions (Page 56) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Asperger Syndrome and the Difficulties of Diagnosing and Treating Related Conditions (Page 57) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Asperger Syndrome and the Difficulties of Diagnosing and Treating Related Conditions (Page 58) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Asperger Syndrome and the Difficulties of Diagnosing and Treating Related Conditions (Page 59) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - EP Bookstore (Page 60) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - EP Bookstore (Page 61) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Special Needs Alliance (Page 62) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Special Needs Alliance (Page 63) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Specialcare (Page 64) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Specialcare (Page 65) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Specialcare (Page 66) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Specialcare (Page 67) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - AADMD - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (Page 68) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - AADMD - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (Page 69) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - AADMD - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (Page 70) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Organizational Spotlight (Page 71) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Organizational Spotlight (Page 72) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Organizational Spotlight (Page 73) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Living with a Disability (Page 74) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Living with a Disability (Page Cover3) Exceptional Parent - August 2009 - Living with a Disability (Page Cover4) http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201009 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201008 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201007 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201006 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201005 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201004 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201003 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201002 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/2010rg http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200912 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200911 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200910 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200909 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200908 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200907 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200906 http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com
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