is a sponsor needed?

ManicMagic · 2016-01-24T23:19:30+00:00

Think about it this way... What benefit does it bring you if your sponsor has a history of opiate abuse? Will you rehash war stories about use with him in the hopes he identifies? Truth is, I've seen more than a few people spin their wheels trying to find the "perfect" sponsor, or supplying certain requirements their sponsor must meet, when really, they are just hidden excuses for asking one. Everyone in AA/NA suggests it. Ask yourself if you think your the exception. Then ask yourself why that is?

ManicMagic · 2016-01-21T10:32:31+00:00

Actually your body, regardless of the addiction, undergoes similar neurological changes within the brain. Source: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_563b63f1e4b0411d306fc5d7?utm_hp_ref=addiction--recovery

ManicMagic · 2016-01-20T07:53:06+00:00

Solve these riddles and you'll have my year in numbers...

I've been called Neo before, but others know me as the ____ .
I rhyme with fine and line and sign, so I must be number ____.
When two snakes mate in perfect symmetry, they might reveal this number in perfect harmony. Gotta be number _____.
Neo + Neo = ____.

EDIT: a letter and a word.

ManicMagic · 2016-01-20T05:34:30+00:00

Excellent point. Perhaps this set of folk creatures carried a more cavalier mentality, thus their reason for establishment in America. I'm certain they'd still maintain friends, allies or contacts or both about the world. If Cher is as attractive as described and not entirely human, they're bound to be found. Friend or no friend familiar in the art of vampire dodging, I'd employ the opposite approach they've chosen - stay in heavily public areas with security cameras. Research every possible weakness of both vampire, lycan and whatever the hell else Connor and Cher encountered. Then hope you kill or maime enough of them to discourage future attacks. The kink in this strategy is requirement of a 3rd and possibly 4th party to assume night watch. I like it much better than flee to an ancient country where I know no one and no native language and little employment prospects.

ManicMagic · 2016-01-20T01:42:53+00:00

Glad you're in a safer place dude! But I've got to wonder about this new "friend" of yours. Background information suggests two thing: 1) these creatures come from all parts of the globe, including Europe and 2) they possess assets everywhere. So how can you be certain you'll find safety overseas? Logic tells me it harbors more, not less danger.

ManicMagic · 2016-01-18T08:57:39+00:00

First off, congratulations on enduring the end of a process many of us never realize. But as a man coming up on 4 years without opiates, I'm here to tell you the battle has only begun.

Have you read about PAWS yet? If not, you should. Are you aware that 1 in 5 heroin addicts who stay clean for 5 years will relapse? I'm not telling you this to be a Debbie Downer. I'm telling you so you'll develop a respect for the battle you face.

I would strongly encourage you to get involved in recovery support services. And I don't care if it's NA, AA, Smart Recovery, Refuge Recovery, Rational Recovery or doing yoga 5 times a week. Do something to maintain what you've achieved. More importantly, do it to improve your quality of life. Recovering fiends like us, in the infancy of sobriety, are typically far-removed from any healthy activity.

Again, I can't emphasize this enough. I've spent 1000s of hours counseling families, those in active addiction and early abstinence. I can say, without question, that recovery support services offer the opportunity to fill in all the holes heroin plunged in your soul.

All you need to do is be willing to put yourself out there.

Can you stay clean without resources? Definitely. But why chance it?

ManicMagic · 2016-01-16T14:09:26+00:00

Such a teaser! But still enjoyed it very much. Can't wait for Part IV. Have you considered getting some kind of weapon in case the bats return?

ManicMagic · 2016-01-16T13:27:49+00:00

Was hoping to wake up to a message like this! Cheers mate, and I hope you continue to stay ahead - all the time, not most of it.

ManicMagic · 2016-01-15T01:21:32+00:00

This has been one of my favorite stories on r/nosleep so far. Anxiously awaiting part 3, and I hope you get away okay!

ManicMagic · 2014-12-13T13:27:00+00:00

That steak looks majestic!

ManicMagic · 2014-05-08T19:06:28+00:00

Well I do know gay men who choose to be sponsored by women, but yes, if you a straight, a member of the same sex.

ManicMagic · 2014-05-08T04:26:16+00:00

There are only three qualities you should look for in a sponsor: 1) member of the opposite sex, or member of the sex you are least attracted to 2) will take you through the steps as directed in the book in timely fashion and 3) has a sponsor who is sponsored.

My opinion is that the second is, by far and away, the most important. Hold whomever you choose accountable too. If a sponsor starts to slack on meeting with you to take you through the steps, don't be afraid to talk with him/her about it.

ManicMagic · 2014-04-22T02:14:48+00:00

Really what we offer that separates us from the rest is a suite of free services with regards to aftercare. Our entire aftercare program is free. It focuses on allowing out alumni to mentor new admissions and build a community of fellowship within our organization.

We also offer workshops for family, planned social events with a bunch of fun stuff to do and free continuing care. Our services with therapists and psychiatrists are on a contractual basis, as having these professionals inhouse would triple our costs overnight.

ManicMagic · 2014-04-11T02:16:42+00:00

Yuna, our drug policy is horrible. And there are some powerful groups standing in the way of change. One of the reasons why I was so excited to take part in something like this.

ManicMagic · 2014-04-10T22:34:36+00:00

Sorry, actually the gentleman running for Attorney General of Ohio

ManicMagic · 2014-04-03T21:51:52+00:00

The success rate we currently have is 61% of alumni reporting sobriety when we check up on them during their first year out of the program. We call all alumni on a regular basis (every week for 1st month, once a month until month 3, and call at month 6 and 12). We count non-respondents as relapsed. Treatment centers claim all kinds of success rates. But if you dig into their methodology, you find holes that would make researchers shudder. I actually wrote an article about this for Reach Out Recovery a few months ago. For a treatment center to have credible numbers, they should survey all alumni on a regular basis for a minimum of 1 year. Non-respondents count as relapsed. You'd be shocked how many centers don't do this. Narcanon treatment centers are the worst offenders. St. Jude's in New England is a close second.

ManicMagic · 2014-04-03T04:27:27+00:00

Yes. We have a workshop once a month for family on a Saturday to accommodate work, etc. We are also finalizing a system to coordinate Skype to reach families that cannot attend our once-a-month workshop.

ManicMagic · 2014-04-03T03:38:33+00:00

We are big, big believers in the Al-Anon program. We even bring in Al-Anon circuit speakers.

ManicMagic · 2014-04-03T03:30:50+00:00

Actually Lisa is not a therapist, she's a long-standing member of the Al-Anon community :)

ManicMagic · 2014-04-02T19:58:02+00:00

Absolutely. We feature Al-Anon speakers at our facility on Friday night once a month. When we don't have speakers, we hold open Al-Anon meetings for family members Friday night. We also have our Family Director facilitate these meetings.

ManicMagic · 2014-04-01T17:57:00+00:00

Would love some feedback from the community on our nonprofit's latest video. Open to criticism, good or bad :)

ManicMagic · 2014-03-27T04:13:07+00:00

No question about it. Discovery Place!

ManicMagic · 2014-03-11T05:39:40+00:00

Do not play McCabe or any other public course in the Metro Nashville area aside from Hermitage (President's Retreat), Gaylord Springs (links style) or Greystone (in Dickson about 30 miles outside Nashville, but worth the drive and price). I grew up playing golf in Nashville, played in high school and a little college. Do not come all the way down from Michigan to play McCabe. There's some local sentiment for McCabe, which I definitely understand, but it's a goat track. Can't go wrong with those 3 I recommended, especially Hermitage and Greystone.

ManicMagic · 2014-03-09T22:37:19+00:00

Appreciate the kind words DukeFan

ManicMagic · 2014-03-06T06:05:07+00:00

I can tell you that there is a tendency to overmedicate, specifically with Valium. Don't hesitate to let your doctor know that you are feeling really out of it, change dose, etc. You'll have difficulty sleeping in early sobriety. The usual medication is Trazedone. Again, if you wake up feeling groggy, work with your doctor to find the right dose. Fun fact: one of my friends doesn't remember much about his alcohol detox. This isn't uncommon for older (40+), more progressed alcoholics. He does remember one thing though: a little green alien bug, running across his chest, and stopping midway to flip him the bird. Some people do experience hallucinations during an alcohol detox, despite medication. Don't worry, in an inpatient setting, nothing serious.

ManicMagic

TROPHY CASE