Smart Recovery Meeting
The meeting I attended was a smartrecovery.org meeting online on Sunday the 19th at 6pm central. I must say this was a very warming and uplifting experience, from both sides of the fence as the consumer and counselor. I have never been to this type of meeting and in truth I thought it would be a waste of time attending an online meeting. But much to my surprise this was very much a learning experience and I walked away from my desk enlightened and smiling. The leader of the group is one of experience with his own recovery, and was able offer many different approaches to solving anxiety issues as well as stopping early signs of triggers or relapse moments. The quote that stuck with me most was “if I panic, I panic, that’s darn unfortunate but not terrible”, reminding us that no matter what the situation, it could be worse if we relapse. They treat these meetings formally and similar to AA meetings I have attended in the past. Offering everyone a chance to introduce themselves as well as address any problems that may be imperative at that moment. At the time I attended the meeting I was very stressed with homework and worldly issues; they addressed my issues as a group and came up with several ways for me to handle the stress. Most said that I should lean on friends and family and outside counselors. But some offered personal tricks or suggestions as to what they themselves have done in passed moments of stress or weakness. I also see that for many this online support has sustained their sobriety and or caused it. Most were sober for under a month and struggling with daily urges and triggers, curious how to make them stop or eliminate them completely. I urged them to utilize the one moment at a time (or one day at a time) theory. It has helped me through many life struggles myself. I will continue to attend these online classes as a tool to not only help improve myself. But to better learn how to communicate with others as...