blognonymous!

I received an email from a friend of mine in recovery yesterday of a recovery calender. It really affected me. It’s so wonderful to see something like this. It grounds me, makes me smile, and remember that I’m never alone . . . even when I’m by myself.

Here’s the email:

We are going to try to see if we can fill the calendar up with recovery dates for every day of the year.
Add your name — NO LAST NAMES — and the city (where you came into the Program)

next to your date with your recovery year
list below. Then send this list to all of your RECOVERING friends, plus
the person who sent it to you! Let’s see if we can do it!!!
Remember, COPYING and PASTING this to NEW E-mail will keep it clean and
make it easier to read than just forwarding it. If someone has already
put their name in the slot of your birthday, please just ADD your name
beside it. PLEASE DO NOT DELETE THAT PERSON’S NAME!!!

Here we go………………

January 01- Nancy (Castlegar, BC Canada); Janet C. (North Miami Beach, FL 1987); Jennifer C. (Van Nuys, CA 2006)
January 02- Kimberly (Piapot, SK, Canada)
January 03- Marlene G. (Philadelphia, PA)
January 04- Kevin C. (San Francisco, CA), David H. (Miami, FL)
January 05- Dennis G.. (Chino, Ca.) , Mary C.(Kennett Square, PA)
January 06- Lara D.. (North Hollywood, CA), Pepsi (San Pedro 1998)
January 08- Bobby C. (City, state? 1995)
January 09- Lori H. (Miami, FL), Laurie L. (Anchorage, Ak, 1996)
January 10- Terri & Jerry S. (Cottonwood, AL 1996)
January 11- Annie C. (Boca Raton, FL), Kelli H. (Racine, WI)
January 12- Joyce (Palestine, TX) Tammy N. (Whitewater, WI)
January 13-
January 14- Anthony B [Tupelo, MS] 
January 15- Jean (Brooklyn, N.Y. 1989 )
January 16- Dina D. (San Pedro, CA 1997)
January 17- Lauren S. (Anchorage, AK, 2005)
January 18- Ram R. (Sturgeon Bay WI 1996)
January 19- Sydney B. (Arcata, CA 2005), Betty F… (St. Charles, IL
1988) Kelly T. (Hallandale Beach, FL 2003)
January 20- Deborah P. (Jacksonville , FL)
January 21- Ro A. (Bryan, TX)
January 23- Mr. Jimmie C. (Victorville, Califas)
January 28- Cat R. (Mason City, IA)
January 29- 1976 (Chino, CA)
January 30- Kimmie (Baltimore, MD 2007) Jim W. (Chippewa Fal ls, WI 1980)

April 01- Shell H. (Greeley CO 1996)
April 02 - Terri R. (ABQ, NM 2005)
April 15- Gina F. (Moreno Valley, CA 2006) Mary Jo M (Bellingham, WA
1995)
April 17- Ed S. (Chicago, IL 1983)
April 24- Mark W. (Chicago, IL 1984)
April 27 - Tammy F. (Glenolden, PA 1996)
April 28- Tina Mc (Chippewa Falls, WI 1993)
April 30- April B. (San Diego, CA 1989)
May 01- Brickiejohn (Sydney NSW Australia 1967), Paul S.(Batavia,
IL.1991)
May 15- Jeff G. (Delray Beach, FL)
May 18- Andy Mac (Pell City, AL 2003)
May 23 - Marcy M (Belingham, WA 1989); Frank B (Chicago, IL 2000)
May 24- Jonathan Farrar (Birmingham,Al.2006)
May 28 - Shay P. (Levittown, PA, 2001)
June 01- Gregg G. (Chicago, IL201992)
June 02- Carol K. (Philadelphia, Pa.1979)
June 04- Ardy R (Albuquerque, NM 2001)
June 07- Pat F. Ridgefield, CT (1987)
June 13 - Lisa (F.) E. (Ventura, CA 1981) [Died 2008 with 27 years of
sobriety] LIsa M, St. Petersburg FL 2008
June 15 - John E (Lawndale CA) 1993 Sandy B ( Pennsburg,Pa) (2003)
June 16 Randy B (Pennsburg, PA) (2003)
June 17- Katie R (Reseda, CA 1980)
June 18- Reid C. (Gadsden, AL 2005)
June 20- Anthony P. (Forest Park, IL. 1991)
June 23- Michael C. (Chicago, IL 2003)
June 24- Karl W.. ( Greeley, CO 1987) Michelle M (Albuquerque, NM 2002)
June 26- Jenny T. (Maui, HI 1988)
July 07 - Kathryn A. (Anchorage, AK 2006)
July 08 - Janet K. (Pasadena, CA 1986)
July 14 - Rochelle P (Harleysville, PA 1997)
July 15 - Doug D. (Sedro Woolley, WA 2000)
July 16 - Barb R. (Secane, PA, 2007)
July 19- Christie A. (Aurora, IL 1996) Nicole D (Bellevue, WA - 1996)
July 24- Michelle K. (Gadsden, AL 2004)
July 26 - Darlene G. (Riverside, Ca 1999) Rexie H. (Pullman, WA 2005)
Debbie I. (Kent, WA 2006) -
August 01- Liz B. (Ridgefield, CT 1992) Mike P (Philadelphia, PA 1986)
Quita A. (Guilford, CT 2005)
August 05- Julie H (Naperville, IL 2007)
August 09- Marilyn P (Sacramento, CA, 2008)
August 16- Darlene I. (Everett, WA 2000)
August 17- Teresa B.. (Hoover, AL 2005)
August 19- Donna M. (Cicero,IL.1994)
August 20- John Mc (Birmingham, AL 2006)
August 21 Jan N (Anchorage, AK 1998)
August 25 Eric B (St. Louis, MO 2004)
August 30 - Samantha M. (Greeley, CO, 1995)
September 01- Elena C (Toronto, ON, Canada 2006)  

September 05 - Lisa S (Tampa, FL,  USA 1986)
September 08- Craig E (Bellingham, WA 1989)
September 11- Carla G. (Linwood, NJ 1996)
September 15- Howard R. (San Jose CA 1985)
September 16-Christine W. (Myrtle Beach, SC 1996)
September 24- April B (Sterling, CO 2002) Jason B (Sterling, CO 2002)
Lisa C (Denver, CO 2006)
September 27- Darrell M (Thunder Bay Ontario Canada 2005)
September 29- Martin C (Bellingham, WA 1952!!!),Alison S.(Ridgefield, CT
2005)
September 30- Kim R. (Milwaukee, WI 1997)
October 01- Mary HP (Ridgefield, CT 1987)
October 05- LeRoy O. (Ladysmith,WI 1981)
October 07- Rhonda L (Naperville, IL 2002) Bob M (Bellingham, WA 1991)
Margie P. (South Philly Group) (Philadelphia, PA.1975)
October 15 - MaryEllen P (New York, NY 1983)
October 23 - Steve R. (Albuquerque, NM, 2006)
October 27th - Tani G. (Albuquerque, NM, 1996)
October 28 - Susan H. (Anchorage, AK., 2002)
October 30 - Ellen M., Sacramento, CA 1987 Cathy M. Levittown,PA 1983 November 02- Fernando ‘Nando’ M. (San Diego, CA 1995) Bill B. (Mexico,
D.F. 1960)
November 1 - John Drew (St. Louis, MO 1986)

November 9- Ken Powell (Philadelphia, PA. 1976)
November 13 - Jill S., Anchorage, AK 2007
November 14- Scott M. (Mt Vernon WA 2004)
November 15 Jo D. (Secane,Pa. 1992)
November 17 Sharon S (Aliso Viejo, CA)
November 29, Deb C (Boulder, CO 1987)
November 20 Angelique F. (Hartford, CT 1988)
November 25- Bruce P (Chicago, IL)
November 26- Ray H (Victoria Australia March 1982)
December 08- Julie T-V (Chicago, IL 1997)
December 16- Aretha W. (Albuquerque, NM 2005)
December 17- Dee T. (Ridgefield, CT 1990)
December 21- Mickey D (Chicago, IL 1983)
December 23- Sarah Hamilton (St. Petersburg, Fl. 2006)
December 26- Nancy W. (Berwyn, IL 1995)
December 27- Nancy C (Elko, NV)
December 28 - Carlos B (LA, CA 1973)
December 29- Sharon A. (Bellingham, WA 1982)
December 31-Steve S. (Ridgefield, CT 2004)

I just added a cool new 12 step recovery podcast widget on the right. Check it out and support people that bring recovery right to your computer.

Powered by Personal Life Media

I came across an interesting blog - The Center for Internet Addiction Recovery (and the picture to the left which completely cracks me up) - this morning and thought I’d share. I can definitely see the Internet as an addictive substance. In fact, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if one day we were carrying chips for 30 days clean from the Internet, or perhaps Internet porn.

Anyway, it’s a great blog with a lot of information. Think you have an Internet addiction problem? Go check them out.

Attention those in recovery!

UPDATE!

Don’t scroll a little and look to the left. Just look to the right. See that link that says Recovery Events. Click it. It’ll take you to a much better, user-friendly listing of recovery events. Simply click on the day/event to get more information on it. Don’t forget to send us your recovery events!

Scroll down a little and look to the left. You’ll see a lot of upcoming AA, Al-Anon, Alateen, and Narcotics Anonymous conventions. I just added a ton, and I’d like to add more. So, if you have a 12 step recovery convention - and you don’t see it in the list - send me information about it. Be SURE to include the name, date, location (address), fellowship, and any additional information and links that will be helpful for recovering people that want to register. I would really love to get more Al-Anon, Alateen, CoDA, and other 12 step group conventions on the list. So send them my way. I’m going to put a form on here soon so that it will be easier to submit.

I also wanted to take a moment to let you know about a cool site called Fun In Recovery Events. This is a really cool service, and I hope that you all will show them some support. F.I.R.E. is an event company that caters specifically to recovering addicts and alcoholics. It’s ran by someone with 14 years clean and sober, and their mission is to bring laughter and fun to those in recovery. Go check them out and let them know that Recovery Superstore sent you.

All of us at Recovery Superstore are excited to announce our FreedomSelect service designed specifically for Addiction Professionals and Treatment Centers. When we started Recovery Superstore, our primary focus was creating the best shopping experience for individuals in recovery and their family and friends. However, we quickly began receiving orders from Treatment Centers and Addiction Professionals. We started talking to you, and more important listening. What we found was that the ordering process for most was very difficult and disjointed. People were ordering from multiple vendors, having to deal with limited shipping options, and not sure where to go for help.

Our goal with FreedomSelect is to offer Addiction Professionals the experience and service they deserve. We are grateful for the commitment that so many of you have made to helping people in need, and we say that with the utmost sincerity. Recovery Superstore is owned by individuals in recovery, so your work has a special place in our heart.

If you are an Addiction Professional or Treatment Center Purchaser, check out the FreedomSelect service and sign up for FREE. We think you’ll like what you find including: industry leading discounts, free shipping on orders over $50, and custom stocking (i.e., if you need and don’t see it on our website, call us and we’ll order it). There’s more to come, so keep your eyes open, and thanks again for all you do. Finally, if you need any help signing up, please give us a call (1-866-526-1777).

Sincerely,

The Recovery Superstore Gang!

Reading an article this morning, by Maggie Mahar, about societal views on drug addiction, I was encouraged when the author mentioned a bill called the Recognizing Addiction as a Disease Act. This act is sponsored by Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware.

The Recognizing Addiction as a Disease Act would:

Amend the Public Health Service Act and related enactments to redesignate: (1) the National Institute on Drug Abuse as the National Institute on Diseases of Addiction; and (2) the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as the National Institute on Alcohol Disorders and Health.

I, for one, am encouraged. While it’s a small change on the surface, it could have a huge change in the minds of popular culture and, hopefully, lawmakers, law enforcement, and the court systems.

New studies are making huge strides in demonstrating that addiction is, in fact, a disease. Mahar cites a series of essays -  Addiction Treatment: Science and Policy for the Twenty-First Century - that champion public education and a scientific approach to drug addiction. She also states:

As a result of this new information, experts are increasingly incorporating the recognition that addiction is, in part, a “brain disease” into their treatment recommendations.

It seems that the disease of addiction may finally getting its day in court. It’s about time.

In case you didn’t know, or did know but forgot, Thursday, June 26th is the UN’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and illicit Trafficking.

Recovering Cocaine Addict lobbies for the UN’s International Day Against Drug Abuse to be UK recognized