The Recovery Show » Finding serenity through 12 step recovery in Al-Anon – a podcast

Who do you remember, and how do you remember them? As I sit in my brother’s apartment near Rochester, New York, these questions are at the forefront of my mind. This week, my brother Murray passed away. I’ve spent the past week with him, visiting the hospice home where he spent his final days. I’m...

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Carolyn shares her journey through Al-Anon and into Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Her experience may be helpful for individuals navigating their own recovery journey, as she highlights the contrasts and complements between these two recovery programs. Abstinence and Self-Awareness Carolyn begins by defining abstinence in her life as including both physical and emotional sobriety. A reading...

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In this exploration of Al-Anon’s Tradition Seven, Spencer and Patrick dive into the nuances of being “fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” This tradition’s message is deceptively simple, but its implications are deep, weaving through personal growth and the structural integrity of Al-Anon groups. Tradition Seven: An Overview The tradition reads, “Every group ought to be...

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Tradition Six of Al-Anon Family Groups states “Our Family Groups ought never endorse, finance or lend our name to any outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary spiritual aim. Although a separate entity, we should always co-operate with Alcoholics Anonymous.” Exploring Tradition Six Spencer and Stephanie alternated reading...

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The National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA) has been a beacon of hope for over four decades, with a mission to eliminate the adverse impacts of alcohol and drug use on children and families. This organization unites experts, advocates, volunteers, and individuals with lived experiences to enhance the systems available to help children and...

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Michele’s story is a testament to resilience, transformation, and finding hope in the midst of chaos. Recovering in Al-Anon, Michele has navigated a tumultuous past and emerged empowered with wisdom and a renewed sense of self. Discovering Al-Anon Michele’s journey began 41 years ago when, at a critical juncture in her life, she stepped into...

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Spencer and Julie explore the impacts of Al-Anon’s Tradition Five, highlighting its central purpose: to help the families of alcoholics by practicing the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) themselves. We share our experiences of the transformative power of love within the Al-Anon program, and explore personal growth, self-love, and compassion towards alcoholic relatives. Understanding...

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In Al-Anon, Tradition Four underscores the importance of autonomy while acknowledging the necessity of considering the community’s welfare. Spencer and Marylou explore some of the intricacies of this tradition, sharing their personal experiences and insights. The Autonomy of Meetings The essence of Tradition Four is in allowing each group the freedom to conduct its meetings...

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Tradition Three is a foundational tenet that emphasizes inclusivity and self-identification as pathways to recovery. Spencer and Ester reflect on the meanings and implications of Tradition Three, highlighting its role in fostering a supportive environment for those affected by the family disease of alcoholism. The Essence of Tradition Three Tradition Three states: “The relatives of...

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In this comprehensive discussion, Spencer and Mary look at crosstalk in the context of recovery meetings. Drawing from both personal experiences and a variety of listener contributions, they explore how crosstalk is interpreted, its impact, and how it is managed in different recovery communities. Defining Crosstalk The conversation begins with Spencer sharing the definition of...

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In an exploration of Al-Anon’s second tradition, Spencer and Michele engage in a thoughtful discussion about the principles and personal growth experienced through this tradition. Tradition Two states, “For our group purpose, there is but one authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they...

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Sponsorship is a fundamental aspect of many recovery programs, providing growth and support for both sponsors and sponsees. This episode explores our experiences of sponsorship, drawing from the personal journeys of Spencer, Patrick, and other contributors who share their experiences within the Al-Anon community. Sponsorship in recovery programs, particularly Al-Anon, is a deeply personal yet...

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Emotional sobriety is a state of emotional balance and self-awareness. According to Samantha Jo and Spencer, emotional sobriety involves intentional living, gratitude, self-love, and setting healthy boundaries. Their conversation explores the nuances of this journey, drawing connections from literature and personal experiences, both in Al-Anon and ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families). Our...

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This episode is a continuation of episode 450, Estrangement: Strength and Hope. We hear more experience, strength, and hope from Patrick, Marylou, Marcy, Raquel, Kelly, David, Susan, Anne, and Heather. Insight Timer meditations Eric has created an Insight Timer group titled Al-Anon 11th Step. It includes estrangement meditations as well as many others like letting...

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What’s in a (Al-Anon group) name? Spencer and Mary discuss how societal shifts and policy updates affect group naming, drawing insights from their personal experiences and Al-Anon’s rich history. Al-Anon has grappled with group naming policies since the 1970s, striving to balance the need for an inviting atmosphere with the principles of the organization. The...

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Estrangement is a challenging experience, affecting countless families across the globe. Eric and Spencer’s conversation takes us through personal experiences, shared wisdom, and practical advice gathered from both program literature and external resources like AI. Estrangement affects nearly 27% of adults, highlighting its prevalence and the silent suffering it brings. We will look at its...

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Spencer and Kathy delve into a concept derived from the book “Drop the Rock.” The metaphor suggests that our shortcomings or character defects are like rocks weighing us down. We explore how dropping these rocks can lead to a freer, lighter life. Learning from Stories An impactful story from the book highlights how defects may...

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Barb and Spencer explore the vital topic of boundaries in depth, offering insights into how establishing and maintaining boundaries can significantly impact one’s emotional well-being. Barb, a boundaries coach, shared personal experiences and wisdom gained from her own recovery journey, shedding light on how boundaries play a critical role in understanding oneself and improving relationships...

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Spencer and Kathy delve into the essential themes of patience and acceptance, exploring how these virtues can empower us to navigate life’s most challenging periods. Our conversation highlights personal experiences and insights as we are actively working through trials with the assistance of our recovery programs. We start with a reading from Melody Beattie’s “The...

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Grieving is a profoundly personal journey, and when intertwined with recovery from addiction, the process can be both complex and enlightening. Spencer talks with Cliff, whose journey through grief and recovery offers insights into the healing process. Spencer and Cliff explored how the tools and principles of recovery can aid in navigating grief. Opening with...

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