Anyone recommend an AA meeting tonight in Birmingham, AL?
#12step
PSA: If you, a non addict, end up with a group of addicts/alcoholics in recovery, in a social setting or ESPECIALLY in a recovery meeting, please do not take that opportunity to tell everyone how proud of them you are, or how brave everyone is, etc.
It's so cringey. Everyone is not going to be mad at you but some are certainly going to be rolling their eyes, and some are going to be say "Oh bless their heart".
It's weird that after decades of sobriety, years of which I wasn't involved with a group at all, I'm more into the program than I ever was.
It really is the easier softer way.
Anyone ever have an 12 step meeting on Signal? Not knowledgeable to know if that would work, if you can invite random people.
On the list of things I haven't really done that I'm now trying to do, been doing meditation for the last few months.
Didn't get a lot out of it at first, maybe I am now, but it's certainly not hurting.
When I'm down and going through dark periods I remember that even that isn't anything like what it was before I got sober.
Truth is I've been somewhat depressed most of my life, and that's probably not going away. But it is much more manageable and I have a way to live with it now.
Celebrated a sober anniversary recently.
After so many years of not being involved I'm more involved now that ever before. Because it works for me, it's better than not being involved. It's really that simple.
Helping other people is more rewarding to me than I imagined.
"Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly"
Oh yeah, I am usually in the slowly category.
But I get there when I'm honest and open minded. My spiritual quest and interest is now moving into areas I didn't expect, but I should have known all along if I was being honest with myself. If I wasn't afraid.
I saw a headline about a drug to cure addiction, made me start thinking.
This journey has been long and hard, and I'm a completely different person now. If I could go back in time and have the choice to take a pill that would have cured my addiction?
At the time I would have jumped at it. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't. I like the person I became. With that pill I'd just be a fucked up asshole without addiction. I didn't want to live that life.
Doing a lot of work with new people now, it's tiring but rewarding. Keeps me sober.
It's hard when they go out though, and watching people suffer.
After many years of being somewhat agnostic I'm moving into more spiritual areas, and frankly it's not the area I expected.
Life is full of surprises.
Since I have come back and gotten involved my wife teases me about my active social life.
It's fun, but also helping people.
Blew off work most of the day helping out other people I know from the program. Things just kept coming up.
Glad to.
June 27th, 2025 Webinar - "Global Forgiveness" with David Thornton
David Thornton, a Licensed #Clinical #Pastoral #Therapist, invites you to an in-depth #webinar exploring the complexities of #forgiveness for those affected by complex #PTSD and #spiritual abuse.
Drawing from diverse sources -- including #Christian, #12Step, # Jewish, #mystical, #Buddhist, #meditative, and #shamanic traditions--David will present an integrated approach to understanding forgiveness. This work is not about simple answers. Instead, it provides a framework to recognize where a client is in their process and how different traditions may offer unique, healing insights.
Participants will explore the developmental stages of forgiveness work, learn how to assess when someone may not be ready for change, and engage ethical questions about how we show up as helpers. This session also encourages attendees to reflect on their own spiritual paths to better understand and support those they serve.
Learning objectives include:
*
Understanding how different faith traditions support healing and forgiveness.
*
Recognizing moments of crisis as possible gateways to transformation.
*
Gaining strategic awareness about readiness for change--both in self and others.
Event details:
* June 27, 2025
* 3:00 PM -- 4:30 PM EDT
* Online
* ACPE Members: Free | Non-members: $35
* CE Credit: 1.5 hours available
More at http://bit.ly/3HQpa2U
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The #ACPE #Psychotherapy Commission is a community invested in the practice of integrating #spirituality into our work. This work may be done by a volunteer helper, a #spiritual #healer, or a licensed mental health practitioner. We offer training.
Learn more at https://sip-com.wildapricot.org . Blog at https://sip-com.wildapricot.org/news .
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry @spirituality
@religion #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #faith #spirituality
#Forgiveness isn’t always about letting go -- it can also be about learning to carry our burdens differently. In the June 27 webinar “Global Forgiveness,” David Thornton presents a multi-traditional approach to #healing #trauma and #spiritual wounds.
When clients are dealing with the aftermath of spiritual #abuse or chronic #trauma, a one-size-fits-all solution rarely works. David offers insight into how various spiritual systems -- #Christian, #12Step, #Buddhist, #mystical, and more -- can help practitioners and clients access deeper healing. He will also help attendees understand when an alternative path might be more appropriate and liberating for someone struggling with forgiveness.
This webinar includes discussion of:
• The emotional and spiritual dynamics that block forgiveness.
• The therapeutic potential found in spiritual crises.
• Ethical practices for supporting clients across diverse traditions.
It’s also a personal invitation for clinicians to reflect on their own spiritual fluency and how it informs their therapeutic relationships.
1.5 CE credits available for eligible participants in social work and mental health fields. Join us for a thoughtful conversation on the role of spirituality in trauma recovery.
More at http://bit.ly/3HQpa2U
The #ACPE #Psychotherapy Commission is a community invested in the practice of integrating #spirituality into our work. This work may be done by a volunteer helper, a #spiritual #healer, or a licensed mental health practitioner. We offer training. Learn more at https://sip-com.wildapricot.org . Blog at https://sip-com.wildapricot.org/news .
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist
Sponsoring has really been rewarding so far.
Those people were right again!
Heard a great speaker tonight, very real, so much I could relate to and so much I needed to hear and could use going forward.
Speakers are great so you can hear the whole story, not just get random bits and pieces of the program out of order.
Really important for newcomers, and longtimers.
It's not against the rules, but it's frowned upon to talk about that in most meetings, and that includes Christians. And by that I mean in most meetings if someone starts talking about their church or lord and savior there's going to be a lot of eye rolling. Respectful eye rolling, but still.
The God word is such a big deal, and it was for me, that there is a pamphlet called "The God Word" that deals with it.
Being Atheist, agnostic, Pagan, whatever is in no way a barrier to the major 12 step programs, and anyone who says different has an agenda and is wrong. No one is going to care, or even know unless you tell them, and no one wants you to tell them.
I often hear and read people say they can't do AA, NA, etc. because it's a Christian religious program. It very clearly is not, and states that. Christians are very much a minority in my experience.
Most of the early members who wrote the book were Christian and wrote from their perspective and experience, but make it clear it is not the only way.
"But I'm Pagan and I can't listen to that language, regardless".
Now who's being closed minded?
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