New Support Group

[Michelle in KC]

My church is starting a new support group. It's called Celebrate Recovery and it's a Christian Based program that is NOT to replace an AA or NA meeting, but is to be in addition to those meetings.

It's out Pastor, whi is a recovering user, my husband who is a recovering user (16 years sober), and another gentleman and myself. I am the only one who has never had an alcohol problem and has NEVER tried any illegal drugs in my life. I've led a sheltered life.

HOW can I be of use to anyone in this situation? I have no idea what they are going through or have been through. I don't think I can sympathize, because it's all so foreign to me.

As an addict, if you are willing to answer some questions for me...
How would you, or could you talk to someone who has no idea of how you feel? How can I show I care and not just look like a deer in the headlights? Am I just going to be the "friendly face cruise director" on this ship??? :welcome:

Thanks.
Michelle

[CourtneyY]

Michelle,
I have three years sober from Alcohol.
The beauty of AA is we stay sober by one alcoholic sharing their experience, strength, and hope with another alcoholic.
If you do not have the experience of being an alcoholic, great! Just be honest about it like you are here. I pray for God’s will to be done and help me be of service to those around me. Prehaps will be able to help in ways you never imagined...prehaps in ways unrelated to addiction.
You do have the experience of living with this disease. Maybe you could share how you keep faith and hope.
Addmitting you do not know what they are going through is much better than pretending to know.
Have you gone to Alanon mettings? Thats were I started out. They are great!!!! They might be a great support for you as you create relationships with addicts.
Just be honest, and don’t pretend to have all the answers. Just be the best you can be and let God do the work!
Good for you for being of service!!!

Take care,
Courtney

[vm]

I agree with Courtney. I will celebrate 15 years sober in AA in May, God willing. I'd just be honest, as she said, and be cautious about giving any "advice". If you have any experience with any compulsive behavior you could share how you have coped with it.

OR you could share how you have kept your faith in spite of your dealings with a chronic disease - IC. I used all my AA "tools" to help me cope with IC. AA is a spiritual program and it is all about recognizing we are powerless over addiction and that we need a Higher Power to help us cope and live and to help others. I bet you'd have some neat things to share in terms of how your faith has helped with the powerlessness of dealing with IC on a day by day basis.

Best thing? Just pray about it and ask God to use you as a channel for Him during the meetings if it is His will. :)

[creatingkarma]

My church is starting the same program! Good luck to you & I hope that you see this group grow & that it helps a lot of people. I agree - compare their illness with yours.