We are no longer fighting fear, anger, guilt, self-pity, or depression.
Basic Text, p. 27
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As addicts, many of us experience depression from time to time. When we feel depressed, we may be tempted to isolate ourselves. However, if we do this, our depression may turn to despair. We cant afford to let depression lead us back to using.
Instead, we try to go about the routine of our lives. We make meeting attendance and contact with our sponsor top priorities. Sharing with others about our feelings may let us know we arent the only ones who have been depressed in recovery. Working with a newcomer can work wonders for our own state of mind. And, most importantly, prayer and meditation can help us tap the power we need to survive depression.
We practice acceptance and remember that feelings like depression will unquestionably pass in time. Rather than struggle with our feelings, we accept them and ask for the strength to walk through them.
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Just for today: I accept that my feelings of depression wont last forever. I will talk openly about my feelings with my sponsor or another person who understands.
When I get sad, depressed or down it is important for me to share what I'm feeling with others. This helps me to cope. I may feel like isolating when I'm depressed, but that's exactly what I need to not do.
Amen... I asked my sponsor if sometimes she felt like a therapist with all my ranting about my mood changes... I feel like, talking about my feelings is a way to recycle that energy - out with the negative, in with the positive... and it feels good. Sharing feelings is much like smiling at a stranger - you never know who needs to hear it (see your smile) and who can give it back to you.
Amen to the umpteenth degree! A couple months ago the pressures of trying to juggle past due bills to keep my three business locations open had led to despression verging on despair. Forget about our house, already accepted being in default since June and possibility of foreclosure.
30 years clean and I'd gotten out of the habit of regularly attending meetings, I'd gotten out of the habit of regular contact with other recovering addicts in any form, hadn't had a sponsor for years so of course didn't call the sponsor I didn't have, I'd gotten out of the habit of talking with my Higher Power on a regular basis. Using wasn't an option and never came even close to picking up, but numbing paralyzing desperation was becoming very real.
I was deep in the problem, I'd become complacent and drifted away from my spiritual power source. I knew the solution finally took action. I started humbly praying again. I started going back to meetings. I found this forum and got involved. (thank-you all for being here!) I started reading NA lit' again. I haven't found a new sponsor yet but will. My new Home Group is tonight and I will be there, no matter what no excuses.
Most of the problems which had brought me to the brink of total desperation are still there, yet no longer causing numbing paralysis. Today again not just intellectually think but have faith my Higher Power won't give me more than I can handle. Peace and serenity return in the midst of the ongoing challenges of the long recession.
NA Works IF I Work IT, in all areas of my life. Thank God for the NA!
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Work the Steps or Die MF. (My Friend :) Clean One Day At a Time by The Grace of God through The Power of NA
Thanks for share'n that Mike..... For me acceptance is one of the most freeing gifts I have recieved in this recovery. Having faith in my higher power gives me the comfort that I need to keep going. Today I know that the negative feelings that I experiance won't last for ever and I'm no longer afraid to feel what I'm feeling. Today I don't need to use to change the way I feel I just need to accept the feelings and move on from there. Just sharing with other addicts what's going on for me makes it real and then I can take the action needed to help resolve my issues.
