3D Universe's topics - tribe.net

anyone still out there checkin?

2007-06-02T09:04:46Z

it's been awhile. and we are a small tribe. but, recently i started thinking, heading into three years clean and sober, w/ my bipolar/add cocktails holding steady i was just wondering how others are doing?
some of these things i added into my holistic approach to manage my duallie condition are yoga, exercise and diet. they keep me balanced. my hi's and low's aren't so hi or low i can't bounce back. i've learned it's ok to take a few days and regroup.
i still pay homage to the therapy and shrink gods..
and my meds are still working without a whole lot of changes
i stuck to AA, completed the steps and sponsor others. i also keep giving it away. but, i still keep my dual disorder private. it's hard at times listening to AAer share there relapses w/ meds i have to be on, but hey, not my problem.
anyone else still tribing got some ceckin stories?

and sister fug, our fearless moderator, hope all is well.

posted in 3D Universe - 0 replies

sponsorsand dual recovery

2006-01-01T14:58:02Z

have any of you found it difficult to find and keep sponsors because of your medication and psych issues?
we dont have many DRA programs in our area and so i find it necessary to have more than one type of sponsor. i use my AA sppnsor to work the AA protocol and technical difficulties and i use my therapist to work the steps.
any others want to share how you work your steps?

posted in 3D Universe - 4 replies

Buddhist 12 step variations that have helped me...

2005-12-30T00:07:19Z

People have been asking me to give whatever guidance I can about being joyfully sober...This is simply to support (not supplant) AA/NA. Whatever worx! These suggestions can be applied to any addiction; love, drugs, worry. I am sharing them because I wish someone could have told me then~ What I know now. :)

This is active meditation, not medication with endless meetings for life that are depressing and disempowering. Without knowing these particular techniques, I started to do something similar. Then, when I went to AA just for fun, I was so sad to see that people had to admit to being powerless to get to the first step. I never took that 1st step, I ran! I dosed myself with nutrition, love, silence, self sourcing. I quit sugar, caffeine, smoking all with ease. Not to mention my, uh, unmentionable ellicit illegal drug taking for like 16 years! Oh, And alcohol. I later found this, which is a more empowering 12 step for Buddhists.

Here are some fundamental characteristics of human development that lead to resilience, vitality, inner stability, and peace of mind:

We move from reliance on external authority to an internal center of resonance & wisdom based on observation, experimentation, and experience.
We bring fascination, curiosity, and interest to all aspects of our lives & to relationships. We are comfortable with differences, and are able to reflect on our own feelings, thoughts, and emotional reactions.
We take personal responsibility for our internal experience - we realize we create our own feelings of anger, contempt, and judgments with our demands that situations & people be different than they are. We cease blaming or making up excuses & reasons for our problems.
We see situations & people as they truly are & make our decisions based on current reality, not our hopes that people will change.
We become increasingly able to attune & resonate with our internal world - including our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This ability to go deeply within ourselves decreases our need for either disassociation or external stimulation to relieve emptiness & boredom.
We realize that we are not our "minds," we are not all the teachings that have been put there. We exist beyond these teaching as essence.
We develop the will to do the things we know will help us feel stronger, healthier, more alive, and connected to others.
We develop the ability to self-soothe & calm ourselves when we are alone or with other people.
Our living becomes more congruent with our beliefs.
Our relationships become more authentic, trusting, open, and valued.
We are able to give & receive care, friendship, and support.
We accept the ever-changing nature of all life. The challenge of empowerment.
We affirm we have the power to take charge of our lives & stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem & security.
Alternative: We admit we were out of control with/powerless over _________ yet have the power to take charge of our lives & stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem & security.
We come to believe that we have the ability to develop our inner resources through a process of learning, exploration, daily practice, diligence, self reflection, and supportive relationships with others. (This is a new version of this step)
We make a decision to become our authentic selves & trust in the healing power of the truth.
We examine our beliefs, addictions, and dependent behavior in the context of living in a hierarchal, patriarchal culture.
We share with another person all the things inside of us for which we feel shame & guilt.
We affirm & enjoy our strengths, talents, and creativity.
We become willing to let go of guilt, shame, and any behavior that keeps us from accepting ourselves & others.
We make a list of people we have harmed & people who have harmed us, and take steps to clear out negative feelings by making amends & sharing our grievances in a respectful way.
We express love & gratitude to others, and increasingly appreciate the wonder of life & the blessings we do have.
We continue to trust our reality & daily affirm that we see what we see, we know what we know & we feel what we feel.
We promptly acknowledge mistakes & make amends when appropriate, but we do not say we are sorry for things we have not done & we do not cover up, analyze, or take responsibility for the shortcomings of others.
We seek out situations, jobs, and people who affirm our intelligence, perceptions, and self-worth & avoid situations or people who are hurtful, harmful, or demeaning to us.
We take steps to heal our physical bodies, organize our lives, reduce stress, and have fun.
We seek to find our inward calling, and develop the will & wisdom to follow it.
We accept that change, loss, death, and re-birth are part of the natural flow of life.
We grow in awareness that we are interrelated with all living things, and we contribute to restoring peace & balance on the planet.

BODHI'S BUDDHIST NON-THEISTIC 12 STEPS:

1. We admitted our addictive craving over alcohol, and recognised its consequences in our lives.
2. Came to believe that a power other than self could restore us to wholeness.
3. Made a decision to go for refuge to this other power as we understood it.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to ourselves and another human being the exact moral nature of our past.
6. Became entirely ready to work at transforming ourselves.
7. With the assistance of others and our own firm resolve, we transformed unskilful aspects of ourselves and cultivated positive ones.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed.
9. Made direct amends to such people where possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. In addition, made a conscientious effort to forgive all those who harmed us.
10. Continue to maintain awareness of our actions and motives, and when we acted unskilfuly promptly admitted it.
11. Engaged through the practise of meditation to improve our conscious contact with our true selves, and seeking that beyond self. Also used prayer as a means to cultivate postive attitudes and states of mind.
12. Having gained spiritual insight as a result of these steps, we practise these principles in all areas of our lives, and make this message available to others in need of recovery\

The 12 Steps of Liberation
>>>>>Said another way:

1. The truth of suffering. We experienced the truth of our addictions – our lives
were unmanageable suffering.

2. The truth of the origin of suffering. We admit that we craved for and grasped
onto addictions as our refuge.

3. The truth of the end of suffering. We came to see that complete cessation of
craving and clinging at addictions is necessary.

4. The truth of the path. We made a decision to follow the way of liberation and
to take refuge in our wakefulness, our truth, and our fellowship.

5. Right view. We made a searching and fearless review of our life. We are
willing to acknowledge and proclaim our truth to ourselves, another human
being and the community.

6. Right thought. We are mindful that we create the causes for suffering and
liberation. Our goodness is indestructible.

7. Right speech. We purify, confess and ask for forgiveness straightforwardly
and without judgment. We are willing to forgive others.

8. Right action. We make a list of all persons we harm and are willing and able
to actively make amends to them all, unless to do so would be harmful.

9. Right livelihood. We simplify our lives, realizing we are all interconnected.
We select a vocation that supports our recovery.

10. Right effort. We realize that continuing to follow this path, no matter what, is
joyful effort.

11. Right mindfulness. Through prayer, meditation and action we will follow the
path of kindness, being mindful moment by moment.

12. Right concentration. Open to the spirit of awakening as a result of these steps,
we will carry this message to all people suffering with addictions.

We move from reliance on external authority to an internal center of resonance & wisdom based on observation, experimentation, and experience.
We bring fascination, curiosity, and interest to all aspects of our lives & to relationships. We are comfortable with differences, and are able to reflect on our own feelings, thoughts, and emotional reactions.
We take personal responsibility for our internal experience - we realize we create our own feelings of anger, contempt, and judgments with our demands that situations & people be different than they are. We cease blaming or making up excuses & reasons for our problems.
We see situations & people as they truly are & make our decisions based on current reality, not our hopes that people will change.
We become increasingly able to attune & resonate with our internal world - including our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This ability to go deeply within ourselves decreases our need for either disassociation or external stimulation to relieve emptiness & boredom.
We realize that we are not our "minds," we are not all the teachings that have been put there. We exist beyond these teaching as essence.
We develop the will to do the things we know will help us feel stronger, healthier, more alive, and connected to others.
We develop the ability to self-soothe & calm ourselves when we are alone or with other people.
Our living becomes more congruent with our beliefs.
Our relationships become more authentic, trusting, open, and valued.
We are able to give & receive care, friendship, and support.
We accept the ever-changing nature of all life. The challenge of empowerment.

And I also like the Native medicine wheel way. That really puts it into perspective! I think that having these substance abuse problems actually enhanced my life.

posted in 3D Universe - 1 reply

Hi There

2005-11-26T22:23:36Z

Hi there all,

I thought to introduce myself after reading some of the other posts. I'm so grateful and glad to have found a place where I can share freely and honestly.

I have a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, and I am an addict/alcoholic and part of the Sydney, Australia Fellowships.

Here, for the most part at the meetings I attend, AA and NA are pretty cluey about dual diagnosis because so many of us have one (two?). I am pretty grateful for this because some members can be pretty harsh about the need for medication as part of the recovery process.

I have been clean and sober since 11 September 2002 but I had a pretty rocky road to begin with as the mental health system in NSW (and indeed Australia) is pretty appalling. I was initially prescribed Respirdal (for drug-induced psychosis)which was terrible for me, and then taken off medication and told to look for work. I did this, found a job, stayed clean, but had a relapse of symptoms. I was then seeing a private shrink who tried me on Seroquel which worked well, but was again taken off it and again had a relapse of symptoms. I am finally linked in with a community health centre that is okay and on a low dose of Seroquel that keeps most of my symptoms in check. I am almost accepting that I may have to take the medication for a long time, because it works so well for me and allows me to actually live a life of my choosing (and my Higher Powers).

The Twelve Steps does the rest for me.

And, I had a revelation today about that rocky treatment road - I don't instinctively trust psychs (who does?) and part of the problem with my treatment until recently was my incapacity to be completely honest with them. I have been doing some work with a skillful psychologist and finally am becoming more honest about what goes on in my head.

Anyway, I am SO glad you are all here,

Atalanta

posted in 3D Universe - 4 replies

hey there

2005-11-23T20:47:13Z

Just wanted to say hi to anyone struggling with PTSD and Alcoholism. Well...and everyone else, too!
I have been sober since 1/8/03 after years of going out when I was triggered and having no clue what was up. I know there are a lot of us in 12 step rooms but we tend to be so darn timid because the world can seem to be turned up so agonizingly loud at times...and the emotional stakes of participating are just HUGE...you know? Anyway, I have a quiet longing to share with people going through similarly jagged recovery paths because sometimes its just so hard to identify with the Bill W.-style big shots and the depressive folk, neither of whom seem to understand anything remotely like the ptsd state of hyper-agitation coupled with deep, dark introversion. Does this sound familiar to anybody?
I am profoundly grateful to be alive and sober and the kind of goofy, empathic fellow that my alcoholism, ptsd and AA have made me. But boy its tough sometimes...

Cheers all!
:)
Mike

posted in 3D Universe - 4 replies

Hi I'm new and need help!!

2005-11-22T23:09:43Z

Hi my name is Kim and I am, so far that I know of, a recovering alkie/codep/with GAD and the occassional panic attack. I'm trying to go back on meds for my anxiety but Effexor messed me up pretty bad after one dose, Paxil scares me even worse and now I'm scared to try anything for fear that I'll keal over and die. I have samples of Lexapro but as I said I am scared to try them. Any experiences with those? If all else fails I know Prozac works. I used to take the generic, Fluoxetine, a few years ago when I was dignosed with PMDD. Oh yeah I have that too.

I'm on a journey to understand what I have and see if there is any other nueroses lurking in this head of mine so I can get well. Maybe that will help me find the right med. I don't feel depressed but I feel anxious all the time and then when that gets out of control I start to feel depressed because I feel like the world is closing in on me and then sometimes I get the panic attack then if I don't calm myself down.

Any thoughts are welcome. Thanx.

K~

posted in 3D Universe - 9 replies

Meds-less

2005-10-10T17:58:10Z

Hey, family. Winding down day #2 sans meds. Why? Not confirmed yet, but it's looking like I may be carrying my next son or daughter. More will be revealed, that's for sure. Don't worry- the only thing I had to discontinue was my daily 10mg Lexapro. I haven't been able to take even so much as 25mg Seroquel for sleep in months. Can't afford morning head fog with two young ADHD goofies, ya know? Besides, I'm usually good with the mania. I get stuff DONE. It's the depression that kicks my ass. Anyway, just wanted to let you folks know the latest. Please understand if I need an occasional lovingly administered clue-by-four until the hCG kicks in, thanks.

{{{hugs}}},

Chris a/k/a fugi

posted in 3D Universe - 5 replies

DRA in San Francisco

2005-08-17T02:43:37Z

Hi I am new to this tribe thing but am already digging it for those of you who are interested in DRA I run 3 open meetings a week they are a lot like AA in that we read the steps and such but we have no stigma as to our shares I have been doing them for a bout 10 mths now and find that with my AA and therapist they make a very good recovery trifecta. My meetings are Mon night at 7 at st mary's hospital 3rd floor conf room. Tues at 2:00 at st john of god at 5th and irving and thurs at 1:30 at mission act. Any other questions feel free to ask

posted in 3D Universe - 1 reply

Head Check!!!

2005-07-09T15:06:16Z

This Tribe has been rather quiet lately. Hope everyone is doing well. Anybody got anything interesting to relate? I've got a couple of things floating in my brain pan, but I need to get some sleep. It's 4:00 am and my goofies are going to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in less than 3 hours. Thank goodness for coffee!

posted in 3D Universe - 2 replies

working the program

2005-05-27T16:08:00Z

out here in socal we have dual diagnosis recovery groups that use the 12 step model. there aren't many mtgs. available. i have tried to get one started in our little sleepy mountain town, but doing the feasibility assessment showed that in our area AA seems to meet the needs of many of the dually's, excluding the newcomer. thus the nearby jitterjoint, where i got stable and has a great DD group needs the newbie support is important. but, what is sad, and my question is that is difficult lies in that difficult 4th step. for me it was ez. i've been in therapy for so long, steps 4 and 5 are cakewalks. but for folks who are facing mental illnesses for the first time and maybe traumatized by some pretty crazy shit that have brought them into the mental health arena w/ substance abuse issues making a searching fearless "moral" inventory scares a dually right back to the depths of insanity. thus in dual recovery it is reworded to exclude the word moral. in a 12x12 AA last night, i happened to disagree w/ much of how the 4th step was presented preferring the BB presentation. we as dually's spend so much time beating ourselves up over our no fault illnesses and substance abuse masks we dont need to rewrite our masterpiece which many of us have written in manic moments and psychotic states anyway. we need the help of sponsors who understand our condition and therapists who understand the model to help walk us through e process. and we need to keep the newbie engaged so they dont slip thru the cracks. the books are available, as are the workbooks. and really , even if the mtgs, arent you can sit in the AA and NA and do your own thing w/ the dual books as long as you have the right sponsor. any thoughts out there???

posted in 3D Universe - 2 replies

court orderderd drug programs and dual diagnosis

2005-05-15T02:34:33Z

hi friends-here's a topic! if it takes . if it doesn't it's on bipolar, under gypysdaze court ordered programs. i can use some fellowship, advise, backup or feedback. how ya all doing anyway?

http://losangeles.tribe.net/thread/07eb50fb-18b5-4e84-bca1-81fb15a1e8d1?tribeid=7da83cd7-b5ff-4ffd-a121-c893a847d8b4&r=10025

posted in 3D Universe - 2 replies

Invitation

2005-04-22T20:13:36Z

I would like to extend an invitation to everyone here for the MSN site that I manage, The Double Bubble Group of Dual Recovery Anonymous. I am in the process of scheduling regular chat sessions where we can meet for Support, Fun, and Fellowship.
http://groups.msn.com/DoubleBubbleDualRecoveryAnonymous/_whatsnew.msnw

posted in 3D Universe - 2 replies

Back on "track" again....

2005-04-17T17:34:30Z

Just posted this message to our "Double Bubble Recovery" Dual Recovery Anonymous Usergroup on MSN:

My Father "changed" when I was 8 years old, later I learned it was chronic depression, my Dad medicated himself every night with Alcohol and instantly changed personality, when sober he was stern and withdrawn, my Dad was a very honest person and I respect his memory, his Grandmother, my Great Grandmother was a flaming religious fanatic and probably bi polar (I remember her she died when I was 10..we were scared of her). No one to "blame", probably thousands have grown up in more dysfunctional situations. I came to realize my parents taught me basic moral values and tried to raise me as best they could. I wasted years "blaming others" for my failures and finally had to hit bottom, both in Alcohol and Chemical Dependency and Emotionally (was hospitalized 5 times due to my denial of being a "manic depressive"). Stick with the "winners" in the 12 Step Groups, those who cope, hope and have a psitive outlook on recovery and remember is but One Day at a Time. Medication, I believe is a personal issue between a person and their pdoc and one can always find another Doctor for a second opinion on medication issues if things don't be seem to be working out. AA and NA'ers have "been down" and can teach you how to "stay up" Sobriety works and chemical sobriety leads to emotional sobriety. I just went through a "downslide" and am grateful for all of you out there to listen to my ramblings, since you understand.

posted in 3D Universe - 2 replies

Meet 'N Greet

2005-04-11T03:53:07Z

Hi, family. I'm a grateful recovering alkie/junkie w/ bipolar & PTSD. Been in the mental health hamster wheel since 1973, but wasn't correctly dx until '95. It should come as no surprise that this was when I came back to the 12-Step fellowships and quit my decades of unsuccessful self-medication. By the Grace of my HPs, competent professional care, and tons of love & support, I've been granted continuous daily reprives since June 11, 1995.

This Tribe is not program or dx specific. All are welcome here, provided s/he is indeed dually diagnosed. Please feel free to share about "problems other than [insert fellowship focus here]" Mental health, or the lack thereof, is hardly an "outside issue." We know all too well the terrifying cycle of insanity that churns when addictions, mental illness, or both are left untreated. We don't need to hide in the closet any more.

posted in 3D Universe - 3 replies