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No Big Deal: A
Guide to Recovery from
Addictions FOREWORD Treatment centres are staff-intensive and therefore expensive. Nonetheless, they have a place in helping a larger number of addicts of one kind or another to get into recovery than would otherwise do so. Indeed, that is their only function. Even so, they are not always necessary. Some ‘hopeless cases’ do get better primarily through working the Twelve Step programme in ‘the rooms’ (meeting places) of the Anonymous Fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous. John Coats is one such and all credit to him. Even more credit to him for writing this book and reaching out to encourage and help others who could see no end to their recurrent relapses. Working the Twelve Steps cannot be done alone or by anyone else on our behalf. It has to be done on a day-to-day basis by each of us – on the days when we feel like doing so and also on the days that we do not. It is the persistence that pays dividends. Having a practical guide, as in this book, is helpful but it has to be used as a blueprint for action rather than as an interesting tome to be read and discussed. The Twelve Steps are an action programme or they are nothing. Similarly, they are a spiritual programme or they are nothing. Addiction is a disease of the human spirit. It eats away at hope, love, trust, honour, innocence and all the beautiful spiritual values that give life its significance. There are physical, mental, emotional, marital, professional, social, economic and all sorts of other consequences (addiction is the most wide-ranging of all conditions in the damage that it can cause). But treating any or all of these consequences still leaves the cause unchecked and ready to wreak havoc again. A disease of
hope, love, trust, honour and innocence has to be treated with hope,
love, trust, honour and innocence. That’s what the Twelve Steps
actually do. And that is what this book bravely attempts to reveal. Dr
Robert Lefever
Director of Promis June 2006 PayPal Secure Server If you prefer, you may send the address to which you would like the book delivered together with £6.49 (includes postage within UK) by cheque or Postal Order to: The Sow's Ear Press School House, Alby Hill ALL ORDERS DESPATCHED WITHIN ONE WORKING DAY Aldborough, Norfolk NR11 7PH Cheques should be made payable to The Sow's Ear Press |