Recovery Evangelism

[Gmoney]

Before I start, I want everyone to know that I've been guilty of preaching and judging at one time or another. I specifically recall getting out of rehab (the 3rd time) and going around telling anyone who would listen what they "need" to do to live better..."like me." What a joke!!

What makes it even more funny is that I had ZERO experience to back up the crap I was saying. I had never gone to a meeting, didn't know a thing about the 12 steps or NA, and I had very little time away from getting high. Looking back, I can honestly say I wasn't in recovery...I was simply between using.

I mention all of this because at my home group last Sunday a member with about 2 years clean got on the soapbox and shared long and hard about what everbody else "should" do to recover. Not only did he preach, but he also talked about what will happen to others if they do this, or don't do that. I must admit I found entertainment value from his sharing because he reminded me of me.

As my mom would always say, if you let a person talk long enough they'll tell on themselves every time. This member eventually revealed that, although he recently celebrated 2 years clean, he hadn't finished his 1st step. He also shared that he rarely talks to his sponsor or attends his own home group. He mentioned that he's never done any service work but intends on doing so in the near future. He talked about having a lot of money and a nice car, etc...

When he was done, several oldtimers shared about the importance of step work and service in their lives (myself included). We talked about how crucial it is for us to share only our ES&H and how recovery is an "inside job," not necessarily connected to monetary or materilaistic accomplishments.

Guess what? He got up and walked out.

[sticker]

evil smirk

[2ala2]

Maybe when he gets to Step 2 the open mindedness will transform him, then again, perhaps he had urgent business to attend to, kidding.

[Phinneas]

Oh man.... LOL An old saying comes to mind - we teach best what we most need to learn.

[Lily]

yikes!

[Greit]

I find that a one on one talk with a person who shares like this is very enlightening. I usually find that the "outside/in" folks have a lot of trauma and actually need some gentle loving care.

[lizw]

I did have a sponsor,I did work the steps and have service postions etc... and I didn't have a lot of money or a nice car. Lol.

As terrible as this sounds, when I am in a meeting and someone starts the rave about what others should do instead of talking about themselves, I start thinking about something else. I.e. what I am doing after the meeting. What stuff I have to do at home etc...

Dunno if this is good or bad, but that's what I do.

It is also a good reminder to me about how I'm doing. Am I ringing my sponsor regulary, turning over my life each morning, helping newcomers etc...

[tommyk]

He knew it all already.

[tommyk]

On a more serious note (my previous post was pure sarcasm)...

He may actually have left when he realized what he had done. I've seen this before, where someone shares in a possibly inappropriate manner, realizes their error, and leaves.

[REZ]

Congratulations on 90 days! Keep up the good work.

[jimhere]

In the words of Francis of Assissi: "Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary, use words."

That aside, I've been guilty of the same behavior, so I can't really pass judgement on the guy.
Jim

[Peter]

I learned my lesson quick too about trying to evangelise.

I took the message to all the alkies in my family when I only had about three weeks clean.

Needless to say one of my so called "missions of rescue" was met with some outright contempt from a close family member and i found myself facing some very harsh cross questionings which I was not equipped to handle with only a few weeks of sobriety.

I found myself stumbling in my feeble attempt to defend the righteous programme of NA and I left that encounter with a very big resentment at my cousin.

I never tried to evangelise again after that but I made it my mission to learn as much as I could about the nature of addiction and recovery as NA saw it.

[navysteve]

I mention all of this because at my home group last Sunday a member with about 2 years clean got on the soapbox and shared long and hard about what everbody else "should" do to recover. Not only did he preach, but he also talked about what will happen to others if they do this, or don't do that. I must admit I found entertainment value from his sharing because he reminded me of me.

I think many people get on this kick, thankfully for most it is short lived