A NEW KEY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO A NEW LIFE

We walk through many doors throughout life; for some leading to positive experiences, but for others leading to a life of self destruction.

Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff opened its doors for the first time today Thursday 8th September. This new charity, set up by the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (WCAOD), aims to offer support for anyone experiencing difficulties in relation to alcohol, drugs (prescribed or illicit) or any other dependency or harmful behaviour.

The Living Room Cardiff Concept (LRC), as it’s referred to, is like no other rehabilitation service currently offered in Wales. The community based day-care Recovery Centre will provide a safe, easy access, non-judgemental space offering a range of interventions including peer-based individual and group psychosocial support.

Says Wynford Ellis Owen, Chief Executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, who has set up and will be running the Centre,“The recovery model differs from the medical (treatment) model, in that it emphasises the empowerment of the person, building on their strengths and assets, rather than focusing on weaknesses and deficits. Also significant is peer based support and the involvement of family members and friends in helping persons to build meaningful and valued lives, realise their aspirations and contribute positively to society.

“Regardless of which model or methods are used to ‘treat’ addiction problems, which is a chronic condition, it is important they are supported through the change process and provided with ongoing ‘after-care’ support, as without this essential element, people are prone to relapse.

“Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff aims to work alongside other service providers in the area and, through the Recovery Centre, will be offering this additional and complementary ongoing support for people wanting to make positive life changes.”

The model which is being applied here in Wales is influenced by Wynford Ellis Owen’s 2010 Winston Churchill Fellowship research trip in the eastern states of America. As part of the tour, Wynford visited a number of new recovery community centres that have achieved long-term recovery from server alcohol and drug-related problems.

Continues Wynford, “Following the research project in America and having visited numerous centres throughout the UK, it became apparent to me that the only effective way of helping these people was to put them in the driving seat and encourage them to take charge of their own recovery journeys. We as practitioners were always in the driving seat of addiction treatment. Now however, we must learn from the US model and take a back seat.

Wynford went on, “If addiction treatment is to enhance its ability to support long term personal and family recovery it is essential that we make the philosophical shift from the acute care model to a recovery model. Without partnering with and standing beside the person who is going through the process then we cannot possibly provide the support that’s necessary to maintain long-term recovery.”

Wynford, who lived at the hand of addiction of alcohol and drugs for 23 years, began his journey of recovery back in 1992, “When I began to recover and live my life without recourse to drugs and alcohol, it stood out to me that the facilities I needed at the time to make a successful recovery were lacking. Sometime after I started on the road to recovery, I resolved to set up a recovery and day-care centre so that people, like me, who needed to abstain from drink and drugs, while confronting the burden of being human, could receive the support they needed on their doorstep here in Cardiff.”

Carl Sergeant, The Minister for Local Government and Communities said. “The Welsh Government has previously outlined its commitment to further expand the services available to help and support substance misusers to maintain their recovery through its 10 year Substance Misuse Strategy, Working Together to Reduce Harm. The Living Room, Cardiff provides recovering service users with opportunities to help rebuild their lives and to protect and support individuals from relapse after they leave structured treatment.”

To mark the opening of the centre, and raise awareness of addiction in Wales; Wales’ first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk will take place on Saturday 10th September. The UK Recovery Walk is supported by the UK Recovery Federation, the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff Council. It is sponsored by Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI), Western Power Distribution (WPD), Voluntary Action Cardiff and M&D Care Ltd and it is going to be a day of celebration and inspiration, putting positive ‘faces and voices’ to recovery and becoming worthy advocates for the attractive reality of recovery.

Around 2,000 people are expect to parade around Cardiff City Centre to celebrate the fact people can, and do, recover from substance use disorders and mental health problems. To show support and sign up visit: www.recoverywalk2011.org.uk.

Leading up to the launch of LRC a new advert will appear on TV channels and in local cinemas promoting the new centre. A preview of the advert as well as further information about Stafell Fyw Caerdydd-Living Room Cardiff can be seen on: www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com.

LAUNCH OF WALES' FIRST RECOVERY WALK - 120 days to go

Cardiff City Hall will be the focus on Tuesday 10th May at 11am for a launch event to mark 120 days until the start of Wales’s first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk in Cardiff and the official registration website – www.recoverywalk2011.org.uk - going live. The Walk is supported by the UK Recovery Federation, Cardiff County Council, the Lord Mayor Elect of Cardiff and the Welsh Assembly Government.

The 10th September U.K Recovery Walk Cardiff is going to be a day of celebration; a fun day and an unforgettably inspirational day as we put positive ‘faces and voices’ to recovery and become worthy advocates for the attractive reality of recovery. Around 2,000 are expected to parade around Cardiff City Centre to celebrate the fact people can, and do, recover from substance use disorders and mental health problems.

The date of the walk coincides with the successful Recovery Month in the USA which has inspired the Welsh walk organisers, and which promotes the benefits to society of effective treatment for substance use disorders and mental health problems

Wynford Ellis Owen, who chairs the event committee, said, “We want this Recovery Walk, the first in Wales, to be an event to remember! The US Recovery Month model which I admire lauds the contributions of good treatment providers, and spreads the positive message that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. This is precisely what the Welsh National Recovery Walk embodies.

“Through this walk we hope to engage with the UK Recovery community, and reach out and generate greater support amongst family members, friends and supporters of those in recovery.

“The Recovery Walk is, in essence, a civil rights issue and will go a long way towards countering the considerable amount of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization of people with addiction and mental health problems that still exists in society.

“There’s one thing we can promise, there’ll be a welcome second to none in the hillsides, in the Valleys, and throughout Wales for all those attending this first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk. It’s going to be an once-in-a-lifetime experience!”

To register for the walk and to receive further information, send an email to welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com.

Carwyn, another member of our organising committee writes:

Hello my name is Carwyn and I am on the organising committee of the UK Recovery Walk Cardiff. I am delighted that Cardiff, Wales’s fantastic vibrant capital city, is hosting this walk at the end of the summer. The walk will take in some of the city centre’s great landmarks such as Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium. There are also beautiful parks nearby, lots of great shops and restaurants, museums and galleries; in fact everything you need for a great day out! We look forward to seeing as many people in Cardiff as possible in order to make the walk a great success. We are preparing to launch the walk’s excellent new website prepared and designed by Oskar. We hope that the website will provide all the information that you need to register for the walk, to find out more about the location and route of the walk and help you get to Cardiff and stay in the city if you need to.
The website address will be http://www.recoverywalk2011.org.uk/ so please check out the website for updates, information and registration details.


ENDS
For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen at Cambrensis Communications on 029 20 257075 or Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com

Welsh supergroup bid for chart success in aid of recovery centre

Welsh music stars Bryn Fôn, Elin Fflur, Brigyn (Ynyr and Eurig Roberts), Côr Hŷn Glanaethwy and Côr Eifionydd have come together to record a song in aid of The Living Room Cardiff, the Welsh alcohol and drug recovery centre. The track, cân y ‘Stafell Fyw/The Living Room Song, was written by songwriter and Tebot Piws member Alun ‘Sbardun’ Huws and produced by Bryn Fôn.

Recorded in both Welsh and English at Sain Studios near Caernarfon, the song will be available to download from iTunes and www.sainwales.com on midnight 1st May. A music video will also be available to view on the Living Room Cardiff’s own website www.thelivingroom-cardiff.com and on www.sainwales.com

The community based Recovery Centre, based at 58 Richmond Road, Cardiff, will provide a safe, non-judgmental space offering a range of psycho-social programmes (including peer-based recovery support) for people from the Cardiff area that are in recovery from longstanding, entrenched substance misuse problems.

Members are treated not as “unfortunate people with longstanding drug and/or alcohol problems” but as functioning human beings with dreams, capabilities, creativity and in possession of a life to be lived’. The new centre will be officially opened on 8th September and will offer support and help PIRs ‘open the door to a new life’ free from addiction.

Wynford Ellis Owen, Chief Executive, Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs who sponsor the new centre, said, ”I am so grateful to everyone involved with this project as without their time and enthusiasm we would not be where we are today. To have a roll call of stars as we have managed to amass for this record is great and I’m sure people are going to love the song when they hear it and that it sets the charts alight!

“The Living Room Cardiff concept will revolutionize the treatment of alcohol and drug dependent people in Wales. The emphasis will be on recovery rather than simple addiction management. The idea for the Living Room stems from the fact there is no recognisable recovery community in Wales as such. The Living Room Cardiff has been established as a way to put a ‘face and a voice’ to recovery and to give hope to those still struggling with addiction. From my time in America, as part of the Winston Churchill Fellowship, it is crucial to establish a strong recovery community first as this is the best route to success for all concerned with recovery.”

Alun ‘Sbardun’ Huws, added, “The Living Room Cardiff is a great cause. I’ve personally had experience of battling with alcohol addiction and have been in recovery for twenty five years and know how difficult it can be to find advice and support. I’m proud to be able to help in some way."

Bryn Fôn, said, “First and foremost it’s a great song and I was only too happy to lend my support. The fantastic voices and talents of performers such as Elin Fflur, Brigyn, Côr Hŷn Glanaethwy and Côr Eifionydd makes this track extra special and I hope it raises a lot of awareness for the Living Room Cardiff.”

Dafydd Roberts, Chief Executive of Sain Records said, “It was a pleasure to host the recording of this song and to welcome such talented artists to the studios here, in aid of such a worthy cause. We hope everyone’s efforts will ensure the song succeeds in raising the awareness of this much needed resource”

For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen at Cambrensis Communications on 029 2025 7075 or rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com or go to www.welshcouncil.org.uk.

A new approach that will take away the power of addiction

The recent statistics published in the Western Mail regarding the epidemic levels of obesity and alcoholism in Wales suggest strongly that the current model of treatment has proven to be as effective as medieval remedies for ‘bad humours’. (“Obesity and alcohol cost Welsh NHS £150m a year”, March 30).

The fact that the medical establishment has been so unwilling to adopt alternate strategies for so long, even in the face of such damning statistics, tends to suggest that there is a deep intransigence right at the heart of the institutions that are supposed to be offering the most support.

The reason why there has been so little progress in treating the ever growing problem of addiction in our society is due to the fact that the model for treatment used is inappropriate.

The prevailing philosophy is that of ‘acute care’, unsuited to dealing with a chronic condition. This is why many treatment facilities for alcoholism operate a near revolving door policy, seeing the unfortunate addict back in the ward sometimes days after they have been discharged.

Many such units offer a patch-up service, sending the problem drinker back out to deal with the world after some rest, but without any of the tools he or she needs to achieve sobriety.

If we are to have any success at all, if we are to save countless lives each year, we must bring about a fundamental change in thinking as to how we support alcoholics. We must move away from the idea of treatment, with all the connotations it brings with it, the helpless patient and the omnipotent doctor, all wise and all knowing.

The most successful treatments for addiction are those that are peer based, and whilst this fact may run contrary to our society’s prevalent notions of how medical science works, it is none the less true and is born out by increasing statistical evidence.

There is actually no mystery as to why this is so. Addicts respond very well to other addicts who they can relate to, and who they can share experience and hope with. Recovery in Wales must be a shared experience, a community of individuals committed to mutual help and not another series of interventions by well meaning professionals.

It will now require a new attitude towards the addict from the rest of society as well. The days in which addiction was a shameful secret must be consigned to the past, given the scope of society’s addiction problems, it surely will be, one way or another.

We can bring that day forward by supporting recovering addicts to speak out, share their truth with all of us, to show how they found recovery and to give hope to all those still struggling with addiction. It is now time to give a face and a voice to recovery, and in doing so, to take away much of addiction’s power.

Getting to know members of the U.K. Recovery Walk, Cardiff 2011 organizing team

The logo and strap line for the 10th September U.K. Recovery Walk, Cardiff 2011 event will be shared with you soon. Both logo and strap line are one, incidentally; so watch this space.

In the meantime, the organizers thought it might be a good idea if we introduced some members of our team to you – with an open invitation for anyone, anywhere who’s interested in helping us, to join us.

This is your recovery walk, and it’s inclusive and welcoming of everyone. If you say you’re in recovery or have an interest in recovery, that’s good enough for us. And don’t forget to bring your family members, friends and supporters along with you. After all, isn’t everyone throughout the world in recovery from some condition, state or other?

The 10th September U.K. Recovery Walk, Wales 2011 is going to be a day of celebration; a fun day and an unforgettably inspirational day as we put ‘faces and voices’ to recovery and become worthy advocates for the attractive reality of recovery.

And don’t forget that the Recovery Walk is, in essence, a civil rights issue and will go a long way towards countering the considerable amount of prejudice, discrimination and stigmatization of people with addiction and mental health problems that still exists in society.

Here we go then, with event organizing team member number 1: Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams is Service Manager for the Peer Mentoring Service in Cardiff and the Vale. She began working in the substance misuse sector in late 2009. Previously she worked in ‘welfare to work’ services where her passion for supporting people with barriers to employment came alive. She really enjoyed supporting people back into mainstream society, and tackling the stereotypes and judgments that are made by local communities. The Recovery Walk is important to Sarah, as the Peer Mentoring Service is about empowering service users to realize the power of their personal recovery, and be proud of whom they are.

Now Sarah would like to hear from you if you’re planning to visit Cardiff for the Recovery Walk on Saturday, 10th September. In order to register for the walk and to receive further information, send an email to

welshrecoverywalk@gmail.com or gobaithatgerdded@gmail.com

And they’re coming from all over the world…!

This morning we received confirmation that John Shinholser founder and president of the McShin foundation a leading non-profit, full-service Recovery Community Organization in Richmond, Virginia, and his wife, co-founder, Carol McDaid are coming to Cardiff specifically to join the Recovery Walk.

Big John will convey a bigger message from our friends in America. So be there to listen to John’s impressive message, the result of 28 years in recovery

"Well" said God in admiration, "Will you sponsor Me?"

Nine years ago my friend Bryn was suffering from cancer and facing death in a hospital ward in Bridgend, South Wales. I visited him one night, and he’d just woken up from a dream that had excited him very much.

“I dreamt I had just died, Wynford, and gone to Heaven” he said, “and God was there to welcome me.” Bryn then related how God had started to question him.

“What have you done with your life, Bryn?” God asked.

“Well” replied Bryn, “unfortunately, I wasted the early part of it because of my drinking. But after that I sobered up, God – and I did a lot of good. I’ve been helping other alcoholics to achieve sobriety; I’ve sponsored hundreds of fellow-sufferers. And once, God – the highlight of my life – I spoke in front of sixty thousand alcoholics at the World Convention in San Diego, USA!”

Suddenly God cut across him. “Bryn, can I ask you one question?”

“Of course” said Bryn. “Go ahead, God. What do you want to ask me?”

“Well” said God in admiration, “Will you sponsor Me?”

And with that Bryn roared with laughter. The very thought of him sponsoring God tickled him no end.

Even when facing death, you see, Bryn could still laugh at himself. Not taking ourselves too seriously is an important lesson we all have to learn in recovery.

If I’m feeling out of sorts; don’t feel others are doing things quite as they should be done things; or I’m unhappy with what I’m doing and not feeling a 100% - invariably, I know what’s responsible. I’m taking myself too seriously.

So why not lighten up today, eh? Have a laugh at yourself like Bryn did. Bryn had a talent for keeping his feet very firmly on the ground – he never took himself or others too seriously.

Is that the reason, possibly, why you’re feeling out of sorts today?

Abstaining from life is not an option

Why did I find it so difficult to make a decision when I was drinking? I believe that as alcoholics we do not like making decisions. We would rather sit there with all our options open waiting for the divine to intervene and give us the answer, and for it to land fully-formed on our laps without us having to go through the uncomfortable feeling of having to decide. That decision, incidentally, according to Eric Fromm, is the same ‘decide’ as in suicide. That makes perfect sense to me: I’m sure we believe that by making a decision we’re “killing off” half our options. So, instead, we leave all our options open – and then complain that things don’t happen in our lives, that our lives don’t move forward.

I believe there are no wrong decisions today – only new opportunities for me to learn and grow. Indeed, some of my worst decisions (at the time) have turned out to be my biggest blessings. I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this blog if it weren’t for a big “mistake” I made all those years ago when I decided that I could handle just one last drink.

This day offers many challenges and many choices. I can successfully handle all possibilities. Abstaining from life is not an option for people like you and me.

The importance of taking some "me time"

When was the last time you took some time out to yourself to recharge, restore, rest, reflect and consider where you are in your journey of life?

Are you struggling with forgiveness?

Is your soul hungry and thirsty for more – trying to find a sacred space in your busy life?

Are old wounds resurfacing and you are finding that old habits are coming back which are stealing your peace and joy?

Why not get away to the peaceful surroundings of St Non’s in St Davids on the Pembroke Coast and take part in a weekend retreat from 28th to 30th August, 2009? This will be a small retreat of 15 people with the emphasis on healing and forgiveness and learning new ways of living and putting the past behind you, and living in the present. One of the biggest challenges of living is to live in the “now” – often guilt and shame from the past and anxiety for the future can leave us stuck in the present.

The retreat will involve the following:

Study of recovery principles using the 12 Step programme of recovery with reflections on scripture;

Workshops/ group work/ and one-to-ones on:

· Forgiveness
· “Healing through love”
· Improving communication
· Your past is your greatest asset
· How to maintain your sobriety

Inspirational speakers to motivate and inspire

Meditation and time to rest


Are you drawn to this weekend retreat? The cost will be £100 per person all inclusive.

If you’re interested contact The Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs on info@welshcouncil.org.uk or you can telephone 029 2049 3895 or write to: WCAOD, 58 Richmond Road, Cardiff CF24 3AT.

The story of Miss Jones and her dozen pullet eggs

Mr Albert Peacock kept a shop that sold all kinds of goods in a poor area of Warrington - and he had one son named Harold who was seven years old.

Mr Peacock offered a very valuable service to his customers, which was the opportunity to sell their goods in his shop – potatoes, carrots, eggs, onions, etc. Mr Peacock knew you see, that people were short of money in that community and that they depended on this service to help support them financially.

One Saturday morning Miss Jones entered his shop. She had a dozen pullet eggs in her bag. Pullet eggs, incidentally, are very small. “Can you sell there dozen pullet eggs for me, Mr Peacock?” she asked.

“Of course”, said Mr Peacock laughing heartily. “If I can’t sell them for you with all my years of experience as a shopkeeper, I don’t know who can!” And Mr Peacock laughed heartily again. Mr Peacock was quite a hearty laugher. “Come back for your money round about half past four, Miss Jones” he said.
“I’ll most certainly do that.” said Miss Jones. And off she trotted gratefully.

For the rest of the day Mr Peacock traded successfully. But, despite all the comings and goings in his shop; and although he offered the pullet eggs to every customer – strangely enough, Mr Peacock failed to sell a single egg. It was half past three in the afternoon by now, when Harold the son came into the shop and noticed the worry etched on his father’s face. “What’s wrong, dad?” he asked.

“Well, I’m having difficulty selling these pullet eggs for Miss Jones, son” said Mr Peacock. “What shall I do? You see, I know she’s depending on the money from the sale of these eggs to buy a piece of meat for her Sunday dinner tomorrow.”

“Can I try selling them for you, dad?” asked Harold.

“You, Harold - don’t be so ridiculous!” said the father. “If I can’t sell these pullet eggs with all my years of experience as a shopkeeper, what chance do you have boy, as a seven year old?”

“You’ve got nothing to loose” replied Harold impudently.

“Well, I suppose not” Mr Peacock conceded. And with that he handed the pullet eggs over the counter to Harold his son. “Here” he said “and mind you don’t break any!”

Fifteen minutes later Harold was back – and he’d sold all the eggs. His father marvelled. “I don’t believe it! How did you manage to sell all those pullet eggs, Harold – when I’d been at it all day long and failed to sell a single one?”

“Well” said Harold. “You’re a big man dad, and your hands are big. The pullet eggs, which are small, looked like nothing at all in your hands. But I’m a little boy, and in my little hands the pullet eggs looked huge – and everyone fancied them.”

A few weeks ago I read somewhere that the Peacocks Company were going to expand their business empire and were opening a hundred new shops in England and Wales. And I remembered how the original Mr Peacock and his son, Harold, had taught me two valuable lessons.

1) If we do the right thing we get the right result. (That’s obvious with the company Mr Peacock established going from strength to strength. It’s also true for addicts and alcoholics when we embark on the exciting journey of recovery – if we do the right things we get the right results.)
2) And the second lesson was this: no matter how insignificant we think we are - we can, as Harold proved, do some things that no one else can - even though the best qualifications to do that job sometimes appear to belong to other people. (Never underestimate yourself as recovering alcoholics and addicts: you might be the one person who can say the right words at exactly the right time and in exactly the right order – that can save someone from a life of despair, hopelessness and loneliness through addiction to drink and/or drugs. Now, how important is that?!)

Round about Christmas, for example, if you employed the best actors in the world to tell the Nativity story, I’ll bet you a million pounds that a small group of children from a Sunday school class in the back of beyond in rural Wales can do a better job.

See what I mean?


Read more of these daily Blogs by visiting: www.welshcouncil.org.uk

The greatest threat

It’s not terrorism or the terrorist threat that threatens to undermine the fabric of our society, today - it is addiction in its many vile, insidious and soul-destroying facets. Rooted in negativity, it tells us we’re not worthy; don’t deserve success, that we’re no good. And that sends us off on a wild goose chase to find something, some substance, person or activity that will help us ‘change our perception of reality’ - which has become too painful for us to endure. From that day onwards, we stop living, our emotional growth is arrested, and we inadvertently turn our backs on the Source of our being. We exist in a Hell of our own making. Addiction: that’s the greatest threat to our society today.

We all need to ask ourselves, “What is alcohol (or drugs – prescribed or illicit – or any other dependency, such as eating disorders, love and sex addiction, gambling and self-harm, etc) doing for us that we can’t do for ourselves?”

The answer to that question informs the kind of interventions and treatment we need to utilize in order to enable us to do all those things for ourselves.

See? We’re back with having to confront the burden of being human. There’s no getting away from it – we have to be brave in order to recover from addiction.

Are you going to be brave today? Or are you going to continue to run away from yourself, from responsibility, from life?

You have the choice.

We are faced with a choice

At some stage in our lives we are faced with a choice – and it’s a choice than none of us can avoid. It’s the final stage of maturity, when we finally grow up to be what Destiny always intended us to be. This is what we are on earth for. Some crisis, illness or loss usually triggers it. And it’s the choice between the Personality (the material) and the Spiritual (becoming a whole person). The Spiritual always wins because it’s stronger than the Personality. However, unless we yield to the Spiritual we become broken people. There are many people walking around out there who are broken spiritually – with no joy in their lives; life is a chore to be endured as best they can: mundane, uninteresting and empty. A living Hell one might say.

Alcoholism made it easier for me to yield to the Spiritual. I had no other option, because to resist would have meant returning to the Hell that was my active alcoholic and drug addicted existence. Alcoholism in that respect was my friend. And it has continued to be my friend. Because all that I have today – and peace of mind is the most precious – I have directly and indirectly as a result of my illness. It brought me to my knees and showed me that I was heading in the wrong direction. It continues to show me the way. Indeed, it is the illness that keeps me getting well, because it forces me to confront the burden of being human and to keep treading the ‘narrow road’ as I travel towards that happy Destiny I mentioned earlier.

And what’s the choice we all have to make? Well, this is it – and the answer we give is crucial: any prospect of recovery from addiction depends on it.

“DO I WANT TO LIVE? OR DO I WANT TO DIE?”

Roll up! Roll up! Three brains for sale!

There were three brains for sale in Harrods. In front of the first there was a price-tag showing £5,000 pounds. In front of the second, a price-tag showing, £500,000. And in front of the third brain there was a sign that was bigger than the other two, showing the incredible sum of £5 million pounds.

“Who owned this brain?” asked a potential buyer fingering the price-tag with the cheapest price on it.

“Albert Einstein owned that brain, sir” replied the salesman rolling his moustache proudly. “One could argue that he was one of the cleverest men to have ever graced this Earth of ours. Do you remember the Theory of Relativity?”

“Hmmm” The buyer nodded blankly.

“Well, he formulated that!”

“And what about this second brain, the one that’s for sale for £500,000?”

“That belonged to Yehudi Menuhin, sir. With this brain you could entertain generations to come with sublime music – and make your fortune at the same time.”

The buyer moved on to the final brain. “Wow! £5 million pounds! This brain must be a very special brain indeed?”

“You’re so right, sir” replied the salesman laughing mockingly. “That brain hasn’t been used yet – that’s why it’s so expensive.”

“It hasn’t been used yet! But, how is that possible?” asked the buyer in disbelief.

“That brain belonged to an alcoholic, sir!”



I was 44 years old when I got into recovery and started using my brain for the first time. I was standing outside an off-licence in Aberystwyth when I suddenly saw myself as I was. That’s when the denial was removed and my brain finally engaged with the rest of me.

Has your brain started working yet?”

****************

Two members (and their partners) from my esteemed Policy Advisory Group (PAG) came over for dinner last night, and we reviewed my 3 years Strategy and discussed other possible initiatives we, as a Council, could instigate (we also put the world to rights!).

As I said while introducing Dr David Best at the Inaugural Annual Lecture on the 16th June (he’s another member of my PAG) “I am humbled that such people, right at the cutting-edge of research in this field and at the very top of their game, should join my PAG and help me steer my way forward as I try to make a difference in this most interesting, fascinating and challenging of fields, Substance Misuse.”

Incidentally, you can find out more about my PAG by visiting our website – www.welshcouncil.org.uk - scroll down and click on “Police Advisory Group”.

***************

A video recording of Dr David Best’s Inaugural Annual Lecture at the Welsh Assembly building on “Evidence of hope: what do we know about sustained recovery from alcohol and drug addiction?” will be posted on our website soon. I will be editing the piece on Friday 29th June, thanks to the generosity of Tinopolis Ltd, the TV production company who recorded the event for us. So keep your eyes peeled after that date.

The house that was built on a path that had a public 'right of way'

A few years ago I read about a new house that had been built in the South of England for a family of 5 - made up of mum and dad, two sisters and a younger brother – who moved in to it to live soon afterwards. It was a lovely, red-brick built house, with big windows, strong doors, and a sturdy roof on top.

But there was one major problem with this house. Because of a huge mistake or oversight on someone’s part, the house had been built on a path that had a public ‘right of way’. Nobody, apparently, had remembered about this ‘right of way’. As a result, the family received orders to keep the front and back doors wide open day and night so that people passing by could walk through the front door, along the passage-way and out through the back door to the green fields beyond. The local Council tried its best to resolve the problem, but in the meantime, the front and back doors had to be kept open.

Can you imagine anything worse than having every Tom, Dick and Harry walking in and out of your house every hour of the day and night? Surely, the family had a right to some privacy in their own house!

Now this house is a good parable. Our recoveries aren’t built on a ‘right of way’; but the truth is that quite often we allow all kinds of negative thoughts to “walk” through and trample all over our new-found recoveries too - negative thoughts that undermine our self-esteem, convincing us that we’re not worthy, that we don’t deserve success; and that we’re no good. We wouldn’t allow all kinds of people to come into our homes, would we? Neither should we allow these negative thoughts to enter and undermine our recoveries.

Today, more so than ever, we need to close the doors to these negative thoughts. And nobody else will do it for us. We have to train ourselves to challenge these injurious negative thoughts and replace them with rational thoughts that are based on facts. God won’t do for us what we can do for ourselves.

Pity the poor family in the South of England - they had no choice but to keep their doors wide open, night and day. But we can choose to close our front and back doors to all negative thoughts. We can choose which thoughts we allow to enter our minds. We can, if we do this, create our own Heaven on earth.

Humility modelled by two sheep

I was at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition in St David’s Hall last night; and congratulations to the wonderful soprano, Eri Nakamuna, from Japan who won last night’s heat. What I saw in her reminded me of another contributory factor to sound, ongoing recovery from addiction: humility.

Funnily enough, I saw that quality modelled only last week – in Pembrokeshire, of all placed – not by an opera singer this time, incidentally, but by two sheep, would you believe?

During a coastal-walk in St Davids last week, I saw these two sheep came face to face on a narrow ledge of rock high above a deep dungeon. They couldn’t pass each other. What did they do, do you think? Start to fight and gore each other until both fell over the precipice to their deaths in the dungeon below? Not a bit of it. Do you know what they did? One sheep knelt on her forelegs and lay down flat on the floor, while the other sheep silently and carefully stepped over her to safety.

There a lesson in humility for you! And it is that kind of humility that is so essential for recovery from addiction. For humility, you see, is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others, which is what we have to do to get well.

In other words we have to become “givers” instead of “takers”.

The big stones and the little stones.....

A college lecturer filled a large glass tube with big stones, right up to the top. “Is it full now?” he asked the students.

“Yes” came the reply in unison.

“No it isn’t” he said. “Look.” And he poured little stones into the tube, in between the big stones – right up to the top. “Is it full now?” he asked.

“Yes” said the students again.

“No” said the lecturer. “Look again.” And he poured gravel into the tube, between the little stones and the big stones, right up to the top. “Is it full now?”

“Probably not” they said.

Students like alcoholics (or addicts) are unusually slow to learn!

“You’re right to say ‘probably not’” said the lecturer, “Look” and he poured fine sand into the tube – between the gravel, the small stones and the big stones, right up to the top. “Is it full now?”

Rather gingerly, the students said “no” again.

“You’re right” said the lecturer as he poured a gallon of water into the tube – right up to the top. “Is it full now?”

“It is” they all concluded confidently.

“Spot on” said the lecturer. “It is full. So what does that prove?”

Blank faces all ‘round.

“Well, what it proves is this” he said. “When we put the big stones first – when we put the important things in our lives first we have room for all the rest – the smaller stones, the gravel, the fine sand and water, etc.

However, if I’d poured the water in first, or the fine sand……. Do you see what I’m telling you?”

They all nodded intelligently.

Likewise, as recovering alcoholics (or addicts), we have to put sobriety first in our lives too – when we do that, we also have room for all the other less important things – family, job, career, forming relationships, sorting out finances, etc.

Putting sobriety first in our lives, I put it to you, is the first and last step in recovery.


Another way of looking at it is this: "We have to be prepared to loose everything to protect our sobriety".


Think about that. "We have to be prepared to loose everything to protect our sobriety."

Awesome, isn't it?