Friends of Recovery - New Hampshire

P.O. Box 295 Concord NH 03302

Insignificant

Is it the din that is deafening or the silence? I know that I clamor and make loud my passion to remove stigma from addiction and yet I am silent in my own recovery. It is time that we not only speak our hearts but put a true face to recovery. Mohandas Gandhi said, "it is sometimes insignificant what I do but it is important that I do it". Everyday I struggle with how I can help my fellow alcoholic, especially the ones that have not found recovery.

I feel like my efforts are insignificant, that I do not even scratch the surface of what needs to be done, which sometimes makes me feel powerless. Yet in my heart I know that if I want to keep my own recovery I need to give it away. My sobriety and recovery are contingent upon my spiritual condition.

The process is simple, yet not easy. Every day I need to get out of myself and share with others this gift I have been blessed with. I find that when I do this I am truly grateful for my life and the ability to love and be loved.

I have recently found another way of being more effective in helping others, for I know I can not do it alone, just as I cannot stay sober on my own. Outside the confines of my 12-step group there has emerged a group of people that want to do whatever they can to help those that still suffer. We realize in order to do this we need to help others better understand that we suffer from a disease and not willful misbehavior. To help them understand that for the alcoholic/addict it's not just a matter of saying no.

In recovery I have been able to repair broken relationships, make amends, help others and to appreciate and be grateful for my life.

It has become evident, at least to this alcoholic, that it is time to come out of the closet. I believe that there are others who feel the same way. NEAAR (New England Alliance of Addiction Recovery) has given me the opportunity and the resources to do this. NEAAR has put me in contact with other people who want to help the still suffering alcoholic and addict. I feel in my heart that this is our time, the time for recovering people and family members to unite in one front, not just to carry the message, but also to be a part of the changes that are necessary.

Let us be the spirit and the voice behind this movement. Let us remove the stigma from being an alcoholic and addict. Let us talk to our legislators about parity for substance abuse, let us be willing to go out and work for better treatment, prevention and education programs. Let us not be so anonymous in our new lives that we can no longer be seen or heard. You are needed! Your voice, your time your energy and especially your spirit come to aid the still suffering alcoholic and addict. We can make a difference together that will not be insignificant.