| Previous Features from 1998 | |
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An effort is underway to preserve McPike's Farm, an early landmark in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous.
12/26/98
- Clinton Backs Lower BAC Level
President Clinton has once again asked Congress to lower the blood alcohol level to .08 for drivers.
12/25/98
- Chat Meeting Topics
A discussion of topics which frequently are of interest to families of alcoholics and newcomers to Al-Anon Family Groups.
12/16/98
- Dual Diagnosis: The Solution
When patients with mental health disorders and co-existing substance addictions have been diagnosed correctly, proper treatment is not always available.
12/09/98
- Dual Diagnosis: The Problem
Those with severe mental disorders and substance abuse problems can fall through the diagnosis cracks.
12/07/98
- MADD's Online Candlelight Vigil
For the first time, loved ones anywhere in the world will be able to log onto the Internet and light a virtual candle.
12/02/98
- Shopping Guide
Places online where you can find gifts for your friends in recovery.
11/25/98
- Holiday Dangers
Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the holiday season --the most dangerous season of the year, for those trying to maintain sobriety and anyone driving on the public highways.
11/18/98
- Alcohol and the Elderly
Although alcohol and substance abuse is statistically at epidemic porportions among the elderly, it remains mostly unreported, undiagnosed, or ignored.
11/11/98
- Health Risks for Women
Women who abuse alcohol, or even occassionally drink to excess, face greater risks to their health than their male counterparts.
11/04/98
- Other Risks for Women
She wakes up groggy with a tremendous hangover, then makes a startling discovery. She is not in her own room, not in her own bed, and not alone.
10/28/98
- College Drinking Crackdown
In spite of intense publicity about the issue and new measures to crackdown on violators, college binge drinking continues to be a major problem.
10/21/98
- The Twelve Steps
Not merely a way to stop drinking, these steps can also be a guide toward an entire new way of life.
10/14/98
- Step 1: Honesty
After many years of denial, recovery can begin when with one simple admission of being powerless over alcohol -- for alcoholics and their friends and family.
10/07/98
- Step 2: Faith
It seems to be a spiritual truth, that before a higher power can begin to operate, you must first believe that it can.
09/30/98
- Step 3: Surrender
A lifetime of self-will run riot can come to a screeching halt, and change forever, by making a simple decision to turn it all over to a higher power.
09/23/98
- Step 4: Soul Searching
There is a saying in the 12-step programs that recovery is a process, not an event. The same can be said for this step -- more will surely be revealed.
09/16/98
- Step 5: Integrity
Probably the most difficult of all the steps to face, Step 5 is also the one that provides the greatest opportunity for growth.
09/09/98
- Step 6: Acceptance
The key to Step 6 is acceptance -- accepting character defects exactly as they are and becoming entirely willing to let them go.
09/02/98
- Step 7: Humility
The spiritual focus of Step 7 is humility, asking a higher power to do something that cannot be done by self-will or mere determination.
08/26/98
- Step 8: Willingness
Making a list of those harmed before coming into recovery may sound simple. Becoming willing to actually make those amends is the difficult part.
08/19/98
- Step 9: Forgiveness
Making amends may seem like a bitter pill to swallow, but for those serious about recovery it can be great medicine for the spirit and soul.
08/12/98
- Step 10: Maintenance
Nobody likes to admit to being wrong. But it is absolutely necessary to maintain spiritual progress in recovery.
08/05/98
- Step 11: Making Contact
The purpose of Step 11 is to discover the plan God as you understand Him has for your life.
07/29/98
- Step 12: Service
For those in recovery programs, practicing Step 12 is simply "how it works.
07/22/98
- The Twelve Traditions
The Twelve Traditions contain the spiritual principles that keep 12 step support groups focused on their primary purpose.
07/15/98
- Tradition 1: Unity
Without unity within the group, members of 12 step support groups will find it difficult to make progress.
07/08/98
- Tradition 2: Authority
In 12 step groups there is no such thing as individual authority, but there are leaders.
07/01/98
- Tradition 3: Eligibility
The emphasis on this tradition is to keep the primary focus of the fellowship from becoming diluted.
06/24/98
- Tradition 4: Autonomy
The freedom individual groups have in this tradition carries with it the admonition to protect the fellowship as a whole.
06/17/98
- Tradition 5: Carrying the Message
The primary purpose of any 12 step group is to carry its message and
give comfort to others who are still suffering.
06/10/98
- Tradition 6: Outside Enterprises
In order to preserve the integrity of the program, 12 step support groups do not endorse any outside organizations and causes.
06/03/98
- Tradition 7: Self Supporting
By declining outside contributions,
12 step groups protect their basic structure and spiritual foundations.
05/27/98
- Tradition 8: Giving It Away
There is a saying in the 12 step groups, "In order to keep it,
you must give it away, with the key word "give."
05/20/98
- Tradition 9: Authority
By not being highly organized, support groups keep the emphasis on true fellowship and their primary purpose.
05/13/98
- Tradition 10: Outside Opinions
By avoiding opinions on
outside issues, 12 step groups attempt to avoid controversy.
05/06/98
- Tradition 11: Public Relations
Anonymity in the media protects not only
the individual 12 step member but the fellowship as a whole.
04/29/98
- Tradition 12: Anonymity
A hallmark of 12 step recovery programs is the offer of anonymity to participants, but the principle goes much deeper than just not revealing last names.
04/22/98
- First Anniversary
The Mining Co. and the Alcoholism site celebrates the
first year of service to the Internet community.
04/15/98
- Crime and Alcohol
The latest government report on
alcohol and crime contained some eye-opening facts.
04/08/98
- Supporting Your Support Group
Membership in 12-step groups is increasing,
but financial contributions are not keeping pace.
04/01/98
- Lower BAC Level
MADD has once again taken the lead in trying to get legislation
passed to crack down on drunk driving.
03/25/98
- Net Links Library
Our library of Net Links has been reorganized to make it even
easier to find the information you are seeking.
03/11/98
- Spiritual or Religious? (Part II)
This 1944 Alcoholics Anonymous editorial gives an indication of how important the
founders considered The Lord's Prayer to recovery.
03/04/98
- Spiritual or Religious? (Part I)
One of the debates that has developed
lately in the 12-step fellowships in some parts of the world
is the use of the "Lord's Prayer" at
the close of the meetings.
02/25/98
- Games People Play (Part II)
If you find your self locked in to playing
a role in the alcoholic's life, maybe it's time to call "time out."
02/18/98
- Games People Play (Part I)
You are not the cause
of someone else's drinking problem, but you can contribute to it.
02/11/98
- Alcohol & Divorce: An Alternative
Before making the decision to take a big step like divorce,
consider other options available.
02/04/98
- Online Recovery
Here are some examples of what visitors to the Alcoholism
site have to say about online recovery.
·1/28/98
- Virtual Recovery
Is online recovery real, or is it virtual?
Or, on the other hand, is it virtually real?
01/21/98
- Anonymity
The 12 step support groups not only offer their members
the safety of anonymity, but they also highly recommend it, to
keep principles above personalities.
01/14/98
- Domestic Violence: Take the First Step, Leave
When victims make the choice of leaving, the climb out of the relationship can be treacherous.
01/07/98
- Henri Paul: A Drunken Game?
The tragic death of Princess Diana may
have been the result of a game in the drunken mind of
driver Henri Paul.
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