Step Work

"We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admit-ted it."Through working the first nine steps, our lives have changed dramatically way

beyond what we expected when we first came to Narcotics Anonymous. We've

become more honest, humble, and concerned about others, less fearful, selfish, and resentful. But even such profound changes aren't guaranteed to be permanent. Because

we have the disease of addiction, we can always return to what we were before.

Recovery has a price - it demands our vigilance. We have to continue doing all the things we have been doing for our recovery so far. We have to continue to be honest,

to have trust and faith, to pay attention to our actions and reactions and to assess how

those are working for us or against us. We also have to pay attention to how our ac-tions affect others, and when the effects are negative or harmful, promptly step for-

ward and take responsibility for the harm caused and for repairing it. In short, we have

to continue to take personal inventory and promptly admit our wrongs. As you can see, the Tenth Step has us repeat much of the work we did in Steps Four through Nine,

though in a much-shortened format. The format suggested in this guide is one that

covers in a general way the elements of a personal inventory. Some of us may find

that we need to add questions that focus on specific areas that are affecting our indi-

vidual recovery to the questions already in this guide. We may find some additional

areas upon which to focus from IP #9, Living the Program. Our sponsor may have specific direction for us on this point. As noted before, this guide is meant to be a

starting point, not the final word on any of the steps.

Why is a Tenth Step necessary?

What is the purpose of continuing to take personal inventory?

How can my sponsor help me?

Submitted by Heather York

Alternative Choice

Counseling

Choices… Don’t Have To Be Dark!

October 2012

Now Accepting

UnitedHealthcare

TennCare

1309 Main Street

Humboldt, TN

10 N Johnson Street

Alamo, TN

Phone: 731-784-8814

Fax: 731-784-9920

www.acc-wtn.org

STATE CERTIFIED DUI SCHOOL $150.00 TO REGISTER

CALL 784-8814. NEXT CLASS ON

Saturday October 20th, 2012 9AM-9PM.

LOCATION: 1309 MAIN STREET HUMBOLDT

***Must have three for the class to make.***

1

We Do Pre-Trial Treatment

All Our Assessments

Are $50.00

“Most all people who come into court or through DCS on a

drug / alcohol charge have been using for awhile, this may

have just been the first time they got caught. The greatest

chance recovery has is if we see the person who is hurting and

act, instead of listening to their addiction and letting them

avoid treatment.”

We are a state licensed Counseling Center specializing in

Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse / Dependencies while also being

able to assist those with a co-occurring disorder. Our agency is

supervised by a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor.

We are locally owned and operated with a desire to serve the

needs of our fellow citizens making the community stronger and

safer one client at a time. Our mission is to assist clients in

choosing their own path to a healthier life in a safe, respectful

and manageable environment.

Andrea's Inspirational Insight

Messages of Help, Hope, and Courage

The ability to focus and stay mentally tough comes with time and experience. You must

learn to differentiate between what's truly important and what can be dealt with at another time. Maturity gives you the ability to prioritize.

How do you make it through?

You take it one day at a time. You face your fears. You keep your promises. You get the

best possible help and care.......

You turn to caring people you know will be there for you. You believe.

You take the steps to change what needs changing. You talk it over. You laugh. You go

ahead and cry. You pray. You live the best life you can today.....

And when tomorrow comes you do it all over again. You hang in there. You hold on tight

to your hope. You never let go. You know deep down inside what you are, and no matter

what comes along you never forget it. You stay strong.

You keep the faith, and you make room for the brighter day that someday soon is going to

shine so much serenity back into your life! Submitted by Andrea Forsythe

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS

English speaking Parenting

Saturday Oct. 14th 2-6pm

1309 Main St. Humboldt, TN

cost is $40

Spanish Speaking Parenting

Saturday Oct. 6th 8am-12pm

10 N Johnson St. Alamo, TN

cost is $40

Anger Management for Gibson Co. any

Thursday 10am-2pm or 4-8pm must call

to schedule.

Anger Management for Crockett Co.

Saturday October 6th & November 3rd

12pm –4pm

Special Classes are

available upon request Spirituality Corner

When you’re suffering from a chronic condition

Read: Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved,

for You are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14

Reflect: Years ago I developed a severe case of asthma. We finally had to

get an electric-pressured inhalator, which forced medicated air into my lungs. I

tried very easily. Even taking a walk became almost impossible. One day I

knelt beside my bed, “All right, Lord, “I said. “I’ve done all I can. If I must have

asthma, okay. But please give me a sweet and cheerful disposition to go with

it.” Hard to know when it happened, but I needed the breathing

machine less and less. By that summer, I could swim several widths of a pool

again, and my doctor found no wheezing on subsequent check-ups. Looking

back, I suspect Jesus had a sense of humor. Faced with the request of grant-

ing a sweet disposition or healing an illness. He, in my case, found the latter

an easier task. Seriously, when friends ask what became of my

breathing problem, I answered. “I gave it to Jesus” May Sheridan Gold

Pray: Lord, I give this illness to You and ask You to heal it or give me the

grace to endure it cheerfully.

Do: Ask Someone you know who has been healed of a chronic illness to pray

for your healing.

Submitted by James Cottrell

“Voices in Recovery” Recovery is a process not an event. It takes time to undo often many years of living

with alcohol and drugs. Treatment is essential because it is not just about stopping the

chemical use but discovering and dealing with the underlying issues that remained

unresolved for many years. We must through treatment show them different avenues

that are assessable and legitimate for them to deal with difficult thoughts, feelings or

behaviors if we do not want the chemical abuse to resurface. If a person has an open

mind to treatment (even if treatment is court ordered); a desire to stop using and the

capability to be HONEST then treatment can and will work. However, treatment takes

time and often people stumble, crawl and trip their way to recovery. That does not

mean their recovery isn’t valid. “If they still have a pulse, they can choose recovery

over despair. Below are statements from those in our community who have dealt with

or are dealing with recovery.

“I started treatment on December 1, 2011. As of this writing I have six months, one

week and three days not using any alcohol or other drugs. When I was using my life

was a mess. It made me more depressed and I lost a lot of trust from my friends and

loved ones. Since I have gotten sober my family wants to be around me. I enjoy having

my son and I don’t have to depend on something to make me feel good. My strength

comes from within and from my higher power. I also draw strength from my past.”

Bethany Nicholas

“Treatment has helped me to see who I am , where I am and when and why I have

fallen back into old behaviors. It has also helped me to identify and name my mental

disorder.” LCM

“Treatment has given me the opportunity to meet others that want to stay clean and

sober. It has given me the opportunity to function in society again.” RJ

“My life has changed dramatically since entering treatment. I am 30 days sober. I feel

better, self esteem is higher and I’m finding joy in everyday things such as my work

and my family.” DM

“I started treatment on June 7, 2012. Being sober has allowed me to be a member of

society as well as a participating member of my family. For me not using allowed me

to see or discover who I truly was. I draw my strength mostly from God, but also from

my loved ones and other group members.” Anthony

“I started treatment in July of 2012 at Alternative Choice Cousneling. I have recently

relapsed but now have two weeks with no drugs or alcohol. The benefits I am seeing

from not using are feeling a lot better; being able to keep a steady job; trying to stay

calm and not wondering where my next hit is coming from. I get my strength from

God first then my sons, my counselor Jeff and other fellow students.” Robert Timms

“I started treatment on 2-12-12 at Alternative Choice Cousneling. I have one year and

six months clean off alcohol and other drugs. Being sober is a better life and for me

using is being dead. I draw my strength from my kids and going to meetings.”

Chad McLemore

“ I started treatment at Aspell Manor on July 5, 2011 and am currently at Alternative

Choice Counseling. I have one year and three months sober. Being sober I have a lot

more opportunities and my family back. My strength comes from my family and the

people who support me.” Jessica Barnette

“ I started treatment on 9-1-12 and today I have 5 months clean off alcohol and drugs.

I feel much better and happier. I draw my strength from my desire to have my son

back in my custody.” Jalissa

“I started treatment in August of 2012 and I have 9 days sober. I’m a lot less tired

when I’m sober and I think much clearer and faster. I draw my strength from my great

desire to stay out of prison.” Brian Hendrix

Continued

Spotlight client of Gibson County

Fray Brown was selected as our Gibson County Spotlight Client of the Month by

his counselor Jeff Crabtree. “I selected Fray because this is his second time here

and he seems more sincere this time than before. Seeing the improvements in

him encourages me more to help others. Listen to Fray’s story, “The reason I am

here is because of bad decisions. I had been drinking. This is my second time

here at Alternative Choice Counseling. The first time was for Drugs and Alcohol

and I attended five months. I started smoking weed when I was 16 and I smoked

more than I drank because I really didn’t like alcohol. My father got sick and

passed away and things for me got a lot worse. When I got in trouble this time

Judge Agee sent me back to Alternative Choice Counseling Center. This time I

have stopped hanging out with my old buddies that I smoked with because I want

to change my life and habits this time. Alternative Choice is helping me because

now I can face my problems and stay focused on things. As of now my life is

better and I hope to keep it that way.

Interviewed by James Cottrell

Spotlight Client of Crockett County

I entered treatment in September of 2011 and have one year sober. I have

changed my way of viewing life, I feel calm with myself. I have been able and

continue to make better choices. Now I am a happier person. I think in my family

are the motor to my life. My wife, son, parents and siblings motivate me to keep

going. For them to be proud of me and be proud for myself too. I want the type of

life with dignity for my family. I need to better myself for me for everything to be

ok.” Alberto

Mi vida es muy difcil provengo de una familia alcolica . Mi alcolismo me llevo a

cometer muchos erores en mi vida. Problemas económicos, sociales, y sobre

todo con mi pareja, de una infancia donde hubo maltrato verbal y físico, mis pa-

dres discutían continuamente por efectos del alcohol, mi padre maltrataba a mi

madre, me daba miedo, me sentía indefenso , mi autoestima por el suelo, todos

me hubillaban, me hacían sentir que yo no existía, que a nadie le importaba, yo

decía que cuando creciera no hiba ser como mi padre pero mi problema con el

alcohol empezó aumentar. Yo decía que no era un problema, no me importaba lo

que pensaban de mi, no me importaba mi familia, sin saber del daño que le cau-

saba. Me avergüenzo de todo lo que hice en el tiempo que consumi alcohol.

Tanto era el abuso que no me importaba hacer el ridículo para seguir bebiendo.

Es una experiencia muy desagradable pero le doy Gracias a Dios por darme una

segunda oportunidad y sobre todo las bendiciones que he tenido. El mantenerme

sobrio y darme la sabiduría para tomar buenas decisiones y ser una persona

responsable y ser un ejemplo de vida para los demás.

Interviewed by Teresa Knox

“Voices in Recovery Continued”

I started treatment at Alternative Choice on June 29, 2012 after going to JACOA for

28 days. I just recently relapsed with alcohol and today I have 3 weeks. Being sober

is helping me become a better person inside and out. I’m thinking clearer and caring

about myself as well as others. I’m getting the life I deserve. I would say my mother

and myself is where I get my strength from. My mother always wanted to see me

sober and I never did. When she got diagnosed with lung cancer and was extremely

sick through her treatment is when I came to know I have a problem and really want

help. I wanted to know that if she happened to pass away she knew her baby girl was

clean and sober. And for myself cause I lile what I’m seeing and I know I can do

this.” Joleen Newman

“ I started treatment on August 20, 2012 and today I have 40 days clean off of all

alcohol and drugs. I found that when using I was just mad not a very happy person. I

have begun to take enjoyment in everyday things like my wife, son, work and hob-

bies. I just try to look at all the good things in my life and how much better my life

is than just 40 days ago. I have a great support system in my life which is my son and

parents. I draw my strength from the fact that I have 40 days clean and those are my

days and I don’t want to give them back or start them over again.” Dustin Manning

“I entered treatment at Alternative Choice on 5-8-12 and today I have 4 months and

three weeks. Since I quit alcohol and other drugs I am more responsible and caring to

others like my family and myself. My grandma is my 100% strength if it wasn’t for

her I would most likely still be in criminal behavior.” Charles L.

“I entered treatment at Alternative Choice in Mayo of 2012 and today I have 5 meces

clean. Comportamiento con las personas y con migo mismo es major (my behavior

with other people and myself are better). De mi mama y today mi familia amigos gue

dan Buenos consejos tambie de las claces gue me an serupdo mucho pava reflec-

cionay (From my mom and my family, and friends that give good advice, treatment

has helped to reflect).” Jose Escobedo

“I started treatment at Alternative Choice Cousneling on September 17, 2011 and

have been sober since April of 2011. I feel better about myself, before I blocked out

my pain. My strength comes from God, school and recovery.” Charlotte

“I started treatment at Aspell Manor in August of 2012 and now am at Alternative

Choice Counseling. I have four months clean off all alcohol and drugs. People are

proud of me, I am proud of me, trustworthy, feel better physically, have money,

don’t have to worry about failing drug test or going to jail. My strength comes from

proving to myself and my family I can, knowing that others have done the same

thing and their lives are better than before.” Pete

“I started treatment in July of 2012 and I have 65 days no alcohol or drugs. Being

sober for me means I’m not in jail, not dope sick and I’m enjoying life. I draw my

strength from my desire to give my kids the mother they deserve.” Samantha Green

“I started treatment at Alternative Choice Counseling in April 2012 and I have six

months no alcohol or drugs. When I was using my mind was blurry and I made deci-

sions without thinking. Being sober is making my life a lot better and easier. I put my

trust in the Lord Jesus Christ today and that is where I get my strength from.” Brian

Brisentine

“ I started treatment on December 4, 2010 and I have 2 years and one week clean off

of alcohol and other drugs. I’m more happy since I’ve gotten sober. I’ve accom-

plished a lot more and people are proud of me. It feels so great to be sober. I draw

my strength from a desire to be successful and wanting my son to grow up with me. I

want to be close to my family and be happy.” Derek Connell

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