Episodes

110: 12 Step Conventions – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (Sort Of)

If you’ve been around a 12 step fellowship or program for any length of time, you’ve probably heard about a convention. Heck, you’ve probably been to a convention. It just seems like part of the package. But why do we have conventions? Why are they outside of the basic service structure of the program or fellowship, but instead are their own incorporated entities? Does Narcotics Anonymous have say over the conventions? Some conventions, especially at the world level, have lost quite a bit of money. Is the purpose of conventions to make money? If the purpose of conventions is fellowship, can we afford to lose large amounts of money to put them on? How are they funded? Should we be putting on conventions? In this episode, we look at what conventions are, how they work, and if we believe that they serve a helpful purpose in the program. Join the conversation by leaving a message, emailing us at RecoverySortOf@gmail.com,  or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or find us on our website at www.recoverysortof.com.

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109: How to Be Spiritual in the Corporate World (Sort Of)

We explore taking spiritual principles into the work world. This part 2 episode, follows episode 103: Working in Recovery to talk about how we can apply the spiritual principles, values and morals that we find are right for us, in the workplace setting. Do we have to do nonprofit work to be spiritually fit, or is there a way to take principles into any job? Is it okay to aspire to make money? What “good” can I do at the job I am at? Do I ever ask myself how love and being of service fit into my job description or daily duties? What are my motives for doing a good job at work? Would the customer or my employer want to hire more people like me? Can I trust that showing up and being of service will have outcomes I am happy with? We explore all these questions and more as we talk about using spiritual principles in our profession. Join the conversation by leaving a message, emailing us at RecoverySortOf@gmail.com,  or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or find us on our website at www.recoverysortof.com.

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108: Tradition 11 – Our Public Relations Policy is Based on Attraction Rather than Promotion… (Sort Of)

Tradition 11: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films. We examine all the aspects of the 11th tradition. What does it mean to attract rather than promote? Does tradition eleven mean that we are not allowed to advertise? Our public relations groups have purchased billboard spots, placement on mass transit, and even spots on diner placemats, to name a few. Does this not violate the eleventh tradition? We explain the 12 step program stance on what promotion means, which is to make false claims or overstate what the program has to offer. Tradition 11 goes on to explain that while we try to remain anonymous at the level of press, radio and films as individual members, the 12 step program is not a secret society and is not anonymous in itself. We further examine how podcasting and social media fit into this tradition, both invented since the tradition was written, and not specifically addressed. Is the internet at the level of press, radio, and films? What are the dangers this tradition tries to keep us from? Join the conversation by leaving a message, emailing us at RecoverySortOf@gmail.com,  or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or find us on our website at www.recoverysortof.com.

Continue reading 108: Tradition 11 – Our Public Relations Policy is Based on Attraction Rather than Promotion… (Sort Of)

107: Simple is as Simple does (Sort Of)

Simplicity is a spiritual principle. We have Jenny on to talk about simplicity and how it impacts and effects our lives. Have you ever considered simplicity in your daily practice of spiritual principles? How do you practice simplicity? What does that actually look like? We tell people to “keep it simple” and take it “one day at a time,” but is that the whole of practicing simplicity? How do we keep it simple? Do we do less things? Think about things less? Life is not simple, so how can we best use this spiritual principle to help us stay focused and positive? We examine all these questions and look at times in our lives that we might be able to practice simplicity more. Included is some tips for helping move toward simplicity in your life. Join the conversation by leaving a message, emailing us at RecoverySortOf@gmail.com,  or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or find us on our website at www.recoverysortof.com.

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106: Polyvagal Theory – Exploring our Nervous Systems (Sort Of)

What is Polyvagal Theory? Polyvagal Theory, or PVT, is a a theory in the therapy world that our nervous system, through evolutionary adaptations, has 3 branches that inform our current state of being, and that these different nervous system states affect all areas of our life, without us ever knowing. Working the the dorsal, sympathetic and ventral branches of the nervous system, understanding our nervous system reactions to different cues of danger or safety, and finding homeostasis can assist us in becoming more in control of our daily life and reactions. In this episode, we explain the basics of PVT, attempt to relate it to our current model of recovery from substance use, and talk about ways to become more comfortable in our own skin. We ask questions like: Does the 12 step model take into account our nervous systems? Is there something we could do better in our programs to help people who are attempting to find recovery to feel more safe? How can we use this information to better serve the recovery community? Join the conversation by leaving a message, emailing us at RecoverySortOf@gmail.com,  or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or find us on our website at www.recoverysortof.com.

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105: Being of Service Outside of our Program (Sort Of)

What is our responsibility, or commitment, in our recovery? Is it solely to the program or fellowship environment we belong to? We have spent most of our recoveries believing that showing up at a meeting to be of service to the newcomer arriving at that place is all we need. But is there more? Are there needs in the recovery/addiction community that go unmet when we only show up at our local meeting? Maybe if we invest some of the time in a bigger picture, we can be of greater benefit to our society and recovery community. We talk with Jenn T. about how she has branched outside of her program to take a proactive approach to helping the addiction recovery community. Jenn talks about how there is money earmarked to be spent on recovery, but in many areas, this money ends up going to for-profit treatment centers by default, because there are no other programs available in the community. Jenn goes on to talk about how to get involved with existing non-profits, or start your own if none exist in your area. Join the conversation by leaving a message, emailing us at RecoverySortOf@gmail.com, or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or find us on our website at www.recoverysortof.com.

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104: Tradition 10 – Narcotics Anonymous Has No Opinion on Outside Issues; Hence the NA Name Ought Never be Drawn into Public Controversy (Sort Of)

The 10th tradition, Narcotics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the NA name ought never be drawn into public controversy, is under discussion in this episode. What does it mean we have no opinions? About nothing? That seems impossible. Why would tradition ten guide us away from having opinions about anything? Don’t we think we should have opinions about what treatment works if there is evidence to prove it so? Or at least have opinions about what treatment doesn’t work? In looking at the tenth tradition, we examine if there is any controversy about this idea of having opinions. Also, we mention that having opinions only stands at a fellowship, or program, level. Our members individually have lots of opinions and that’s okay. Join the conversation by leaving a message, emailing us at RecoverySortOf@gmail.com, or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or find us on our website at www.recoverysortof.com.

Continue reading 104: Tradition 10 – Narcotics Anonymous Has No Opinion on Outside Issues; Hence the NA Name Ought Never be Drawn into Public Controversy (Sort Of)

103: Working in Recovery – Where to Start (Sort Of)

Where do we start when we are ready to enter the workforce? Do we look for a career, or start with just any old job? How do we stay motivated to keep looking for a job after we already have one? What about criminal background checks, how do we approach those on applications? And further, what about for those of us that have felonies? Are felonies completely limiting to what we can do, or is there room for pursuing our interests no matter our criminal history? How do we address work history gaps on our applications? Is honesty always the best policy? Or are there times we might want to use a little discretion? We explore the work world for people entering the workforce from a perspective of those of us finding recovery and getting back into society. Join the conversation by leaving a message, emailing us at RecoverySortOf@gmail.com,  or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or find us on our website at www.recoverysortof.com.

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102: Codependency – Are You Codependent? (Sort Of)

Have you ever wondered if you are codependent? Have you ever even heard of codependency? Jenny fills in for Billy this week and we explore the world of codependency. We talk about what codependency is, what it can look like, if you can be codependent on behaviors and not just people, and ultimately some possible tips on what might help alleviate some of the need to be codependent? What makes us feel like we won’t be able to go on without that certain someone or something that seems to be hijack our reason for being? Is it about attachment? Is it about self-worth? Are there support groups that help address codependency? Jenny and Jason take a look at their own codependency through the use of a codependency quiz. Take the quiz along with us and see if your relationship might have some areas that could improve to provide you with more freedom and choice in whether you belong there or not. Join the conversation by leaving a message, emailing us at RecoverySortOf@gmail.com, or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or find us on our website at www.recoverysortof.com.

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101: Tradition 9 – NA, as such, Ought Never be Organized; but We May Create Service Boards or Committees Directly Responsible to Those They Serve (Sort Of)

Tradition Nine: NA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. What is the ninth tradition really saying? Are Narcotics Anonymous, and other 12 step fellowship, supposed to be disorganized? Does this apply to meetings and groups, or only to the service bodies? How can a program or fellowship be successful if they aren’t organized? How can we use tradition 9 to better our own spiritual wellbeing inside and outside of the fellowship? We discuss everything about the 9th tradition and even sticky peanut butter and jelly in this episode. Check it out and then check out all the tradition talks we’ve done. Join the conversation by leaving a message, emailing us at RecoverySortOf@gmail.com,  or find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or find us on our website at www.recoverysortof.com.

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