No Movie Star - No God
Tragedy and Comedy
Vince Jones has worked with actors and atheist, agnostics, musicians, Christians, Buddhist you name it over the last 25 years, each person was able to achieve years of sobriety and neither one had a edge on the other. Each member had a desire, sometimes Vince would help with that, and each member was constitutionally capable of being honest with themselves.
A couple things for sure are that you do not have to be a movie star or believe in God to come to treatment and get clean and sober and completely change your life.
I repeat! If I may?
The only requirements for success is that you have a desire to get clean or sober and that you are able to be honest with yourself.
Then it is almost a Science if you are given enough time to go through the process.
It is like guiding someone out of a dark cave, The guide
(Vince or your sponsor or case manager) has taken the trip before and so have millions of others. All you have to do is show up.
and surrender enough to let people really help you.
It's true the 12Step program is a million dollar program, the problem for most people it is acquired a nickle at a time.
People get well to quick and underestimate the process.
We hear about different stars going into rehab, it is sad to hear how many will go in for 28 - 30 days and then come out and relapse and often get in more trouble.
A few people come to mind and it is extremely sad and scary to watch their lives unfold.. Every time I see the news reports I get grateful, I have been around long enough to know it does not matter how much money, religion or fame you have. If at some point you feel like your losing your mind or you are contemplating suicide or you are on your way to jail, I know those feelings, and I also know they would trade places for my simple little life in a heart beat at those moments. Just like everyone else I only have a daily reprieve. The things I do to stay clean and sober are not 1/10 the work it took to stay drunk or loaded or out of jail. Getting drunk or loaded was often a 24/7 job that cost me everything that was ever considered dear to me though I did not realize it.
Contempt prior to investigation and poor perception and sometimes great enablers allow people to stay sick for different amounts of time. Also bad advice from who ever it maybe.
Vince Jones and I talked about this at some length how we would like to start a company to protect the addict or alcoholic from themselves, just as importantly we would protect them from different treatment centers, also the old timer and family members.
For obvious reasons we would protect the alcoholic or addict from themselves- the same brain that got them into treatment will not be the same brain that figures out whats wrong with them and straightens out their lives. The old timer had better understand the process and be able to lead by example, Just because you have time, it does not mean you understand the true 12Step process of recovery. Family members, there are many different reasons, the worst is when they co-sign a person just having one or two or they curse us as weaklings most family members do not understand the disease nor do they understand the solution.
Treatment centers are popping up all over the country. Some have found out that if you offer a addict or alcoholic a easier softer way they will take it. and pay dearly for it. They will paint the 12 Step process as religion based with strict dogmas, when that is very far from the truth. Contempt prior to investigation. I see this happen more times then I would like to admit. It is a shame.
There is a process that has worked for millions of alcoholics and drug addicts, It is not as easy as showing up at a couple of 12 step meetings for many of us though.
There are structured environments available that are conducive to recovery with teachers and therapist that are strategically placed that have a deep understanding of the process, the combination dramatically improves the odds of people getting clean and sober and building a foundation safely in a reasonable time frame.
Addiction is a progressive disease it gets worse untreated.
The great news is! Recovery can be progressive as well!
