Beyond Rehab

Remember Huw, who left a comment on my last post? Last night he sent me some information on the recovery charity he co-founded last year in Wales, The Anglesey and Gwynedd Recovery Organization (AGRO). Huw sent me the information in Welsh (which I enjoyed, Welsh is a rare sight here in California) and in English.

My conclusion: I’m impressed.

Not only does AGRO have a fantastic purpose—to give those in recovery a chance to get to know others and take part in various activities—but Huw is a person who is going far and beyond the call of duty in order to help others because he is truly concerned for their well-being.

When I asked Huw if AGRO supported the 12-steps he responded via email, “We don’t do the 12-step program but we do have members from AA, NA, or members who have come to us from rehab, detox or prison. We will help anyone who is traveling the road of recovery, The motto is still the same: Recovery Through Activity. We do suggest that they look at the Smart Recovery model and go on the www.wiredin.org.uk website where I’m now one of their advocates.“

Huw also commented, “I run it (AGRO) in my spare time in the mornings, evenings and weekends and I fund it by working 2 jobs.”

I am just so impressed by Huw’s absolute dedication to helping others regain a sense of joy and purpose in their lives as they let go of drugs and alcohol that I just have to share the news… Huw Harries, Anglesey and Gwynedd Recovery Organization (AGRO), Ynys Môn (Wales), http://wiredin.org.uk/about-us/wired-in-advocates/hugh-harries

Thank you, Huw!

Charlie Sheen’s recent appearance in the news criticizing Alcoholics Anonymous has caused yet another flurry of activity in my email, cell phone and sleeping life: He’s crazy; No, he’s right!; What do you think, Amy?; Post something about it; Agree with me!; No! Agree with me!

Uhgh. Every time a celebrity makes headlines with their drug and alcohol related behavior, I want to run by day two. Even if we have a cause, helping people, animals or the environment, it’s important to include other activities in our lives for peace of mind. It’s important to have balance in life. So, here are my thoughts and then I’m off for the day…

It is cruel and unusual punishment to lead people who are struggling with addiction to believe they must go to AA and follow its 12-Step program if they want to be well. That is a LIE. That dogma often prevents people from seeking the help they need.

In my book I share my story of how I have recovered from a truly gnarly, double-decade, life-threatening relationship with drugs and alcohol without AA, 12-Steps, psychiatry or rehab. I wrote it to help all people who struggle with addiction, but especially those who aren’t helped by AA (the internal process of letting go is the same no matter what method you use). That’s where I’m coming from—and that addiction is NOT a disease for goodness sake! I don’t want to fight about it. Defend my experience??  Analyze This!

So, at least for today, I’m changing tracks to my other soul-serving subject: Music. And, if you are feeling alone in your struggle with substances, please know there are more and more options becoming available to you. I have a resource page that I intend to update (after my brief musical hiatus) with more holistic alternative options. Feel free to contribute helpful resource ideas through the contact page.

Santa Monica Pier

Have you ever had one of your wildest dreams actually come true?  When I was five years old I had the “wild” dream of living with my mother again. For years I was told that was never going to happen and that it could only ever be a fantasy. But, six years later, I found myself shopping for my brand new comforter in Santa Monica, CA where I had just moved to be with my mom again.

Today, I felt a similar sense of “dream come true” to that of the day in the comforter store—only this “wild” dream was not aimed at saving my own suffering. Its purpose is, and has always been, to comfort and help others. I first had the dream when I was eight: Someday I’m going to create a place where other sad, hurt, and lonely children like me can go to feel loved. They won’t need their parents to pay for it, or to transport them there (as in my case, that was not usually possible). My place will have naturally healing activities, (activities that had already proven to me by age eight to be helpful in my own despairing state) things like theater games, music, art, play, talk, and most importantly, genuine kindness from truly compassionate, loving individuals who have zero agenda other than to support and care for everyone there.

As I grew older my dream expanded to include all people who are sad, depressed, and walking on “the lonely path” as I call it in my book. As it turns out, in order to accomplish my  “impossible” dream, I am forced to deal with Alcoholics Anonymous. My aspiration to help people is constantly running up against AA totalitarianism, the idea that AA is the only way to quit drinking (drinking being a major hindrance when healing from sadness and depression).

I was made to attend my first AA meeting in 1984 when I was 14, and for more than 20 years after that I was caught up in the terrible, and life-threatening cycle of addiction and “recovery” of which AA is the foundation. AA taught me nothing that I need in order to sustain my health and well-being. It taught me how to need meetings (boring, dull, repetitive meetings at that).

People who are struggling with drugs and alcohol—and those who wish to help them—must be informed that it is absolutely possible to quit drinking and using drugs without ever setting one foot in the rooms of AA. In fact (as it would have been in my case) avoiding AA altogether and instead learning new, healthier ways of handling behavior and emotions may be the better, wiser, safer choice.

Many, many people do not believe addiction is a disease.

Today was a good day…. In line with manifesting my “impossible” dream, I am teaming up with others who are passionate and driven to get the message out there—there are other programs to help you quit drinking besides AA. There are also people like me—lonely path people—who did not use any program at all when they quit drinking (and still don’t). So, today, when I met for the first time with the extremely courageous (and musically gifted, yay!!) stinkin’ thinkin’ participant, massiveattack, I did triple turns inside as I realized that my childhood dream of creating a purely integrity driven healing space for people in despair similar to what was my own is beginning to materialize.

So, unite we are!!! stinkin-thinkin.com is a major hub. Check it out if you need more clarity on what lies under the covers of Alcoholics Anonymous. Massiveattack is filming a documentary (which I will be in), and I have several projects in the works as well. People are banding together to help others find true freedom from addiction. If you’re in the Los Angeles area and want to be involved (in support only, take your debates up with Feinstein and Boxer—as a matter of fact, PLEASE do that!),  email me at info@rehabbratpack.com (that’s for Rehab Brat Pack of the 80′s, another project of mine, all related).