DOCSLIB.ORG

Issue #139 Journal

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Issue #139 Journal the Journal Issue #139 1 © 1990 The Augustine Fellowship, S.L.A.A., Fellowship-Wide Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved © 1990 The Augustine Fellowship, S.L.A.A., Fellowship-Wide Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved the 2 Journal Issue #139 4 Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous Preamble 5 Letter From the Editor 4 The Twelve Steps 6 Question of the Day Theme: Healing Character Defects 10 Those Ever-Appearing Character Defects 12 Not Working On My Defects 14 Letting God Forge My Character While Trying to Participate Share Space 16 Storied Limitations, Part Two 20 I Came Into The Fellowship Looking For The Expressway And Found The Service Road 22 Fantasy: The Core Of My Addictive Behavior 24 Monkeys And Bananas the Journal Issue #139 3 Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous Preamble Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous is a Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition-oriented fellowship based on the model pioneered by Alcohol- ics Anonymous. The only qualification for S.L.A.A. membership is a desire to stop living out a pattern of sex and love addiction. S.L.A.A. is support- ed entirely through contributions of its membership, and is free to all who need it. To counter the destructive consequences of sex and love addiction we draw on five major resources: 1. Sobriety. Our willingness to stop acting out in our own personal bottom -line addictive behavior on a daily basis. 2. Sponsorship/Meetings. Our capacity to reach out for the supportive fellowship within S.L.A.A. 3. Steps. Our practice of the Twelve Step program of recovery to achieve sexual and emotional sobriety. 4. Service. Our giving back to the S.L.A.A. community what we continue to freely receive. 5. Spirituality. Our developing a relationship with a Power greater than ourselves, which can guide and sustain us in recovery. As a fellowship S.L.A.A. has no opinion on outside issues and seeks no controversy. S.L.A.A. is not affiliated with any other organi- zations, movements, or causes, either religious or secular. We are, however, united in a common focus: dealing with our addictive sexual and emotional behavior. We find a common denomi- nator in our obsessive/compulsive patterns, which transcends any personal differences of sexual orientation or gender identity. We need protect with special care the anonymity of every S.L.A.A. member. Additionally we try to avoid drawing undue attention to S.L.A.A. as a whole from the public media. ©1985, 2003, 2012 The Augustine Fellowship, S.L.A.A., Fellowship-Wide Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Twelve Steps of S.L.A.A.* 1. We admitted we were powerless over sex and love addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7. Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings. 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with a Power greater than our- selves, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out. 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to sex and love addicts, and to practice these principles in all areas of our lives. * ©1985 The Augustine Fellowship, S.L.A.A., Fellowship-Wide Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Twelve Steps are reprinted and adapted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Permission to reprint and adapt the Twelve Steps does not mean that A.A. is affiliated with this program. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only. Use of the Twelve Steps in connection with programs and activities, which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, does not imply otherwise. THE TWELVE STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. the 4 Journal Issue #139 Letter From the Editor Dear Reader: This issue’s theme “Healing Character Defects,” is one that is very important to me, as I suspect it is to many in the S.L.A.A. program. Coming to an understanding and accepting our character defects can be a long and painful road to walk. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. When I was young, I had a friend that used to say I needed to get a thicker skin. I thought that meant I needed to feel less emotion, to numb out. But I end- ed up discovering what that truly meant when I started doing the work of uncovering areas that needed to change in my personality in order to become a more healthy, spiritual person. Steps Four through Seven do some really intense work in this area. The solitary writing of the Fourth Step uncovers a lot of defects we didn’t know were lurking in the dark corners of our minds. And when we give it over to another human being, they may reveal even more defects and assure us that their Higher Power or work with the Steps has healed those very same defects, for them, so it can happen for us as well. And in Steps Six and Seven, we give everything to our Higher Power and we may start to see defects that have plagued us for years, fade away. Sometimes I forget that I was once as messed up as I was. But people who knew me then remind me! And I’m grateful for the change. I didn’t always want to see or change my character defects. Relationships with other people cures that aver- sion. I surrounded myself with people who called me on my stuff and weren’t afraid to communicate if my behavior harmed them (and were self-assured and aware enough to do so.) And if I behaved badly and was called on it, I cared about keeping the relationship enough to honestly look at myself and see if they were right in thinking my character defects were causing damage (which they so often do without my permission or even knowledge sometimes.) And program has taught me the humility to admit when I’m wrong and change my behavior instead of lying and manipulating. A lot of my character defects I was holding on to because I thought they kept me safe when they were actual- ly harming me. Sober behavior and Higher Power are what keep me safe. I’m grateful the program opened my eyes and taught me the truth. Lisa C., Managing Editor, the Journal The Conference Journal Committee, a service body within Sex The Augustine Fellowship, and Love Addicts Anonymous, publishes the Journal for the Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, good of the international S.L.A.A. membership. Oversight and Fellowship-Wide Services, Inc. policy is provided in accordance with the Ninth Tradition. 1550 NE Loop 410, Suite 118 San Antonio, TX 78209 © November 2012. The Augustine Fellowship, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, Fellowship-Wide Services, Inc. All Rights 1-210-828-7900 Tuesday-Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Reserved. except for holidays Stories, interviews, personal testimony, and other content con- (fax) 1-210-828-7922. www.slaafws.org tained herein are authored by members of Sex and Love Ad- For subscription concerns, please visit: http:// dicts Anonymous. The opinions expressed in the Journal are www.slaafws.org/subscriptionhelp not necessarily the opinions of The Augustine Fellowship, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, Fellowship-Wide Services, Inc., Managing Editor Lisa C. F.W.S. office, Annual Business Conference or any other Confer- Outreach Director Monique ence committee including the Conference Journal Committee Art Director Fiona or the Journal production staff.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Medicalization of Love
    Neuroethics Now Neuroethics Now welcomes articles addressing the ethical application https://doi.org/10.1017/S0963180114000206 of neuroscience in research and patient care, as well as its impact on . society. The Medicalization of Love BRIAN D. EARP , ANDERS SANDBERG , and JULIAN SAVULESCU https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms Abstract: Pharmaceuticals or other emerging technologies could be used to enhance (or diminish) feelings of lust, attraction, and attachment in adult romantic partnerships. Although such interventions could conceivably be used to promote individual (and couple) well-being, their widespread development and/or adoption might lead to the ‘medicalization’ of human love and heartache—for some, a source of a serious concern. In this essay, we argue that the medicalization of love need not necessarily be problematic, on balance, but could plausibly be expected to have either good or bad consequences depending upon how it unfolds. By anticipating some of the specifi c ways in which these technologies could yield unwanted outcomes, bioethicists and others can help to direct the course of love’s medicalization—should it happen to occur—more toward the ‘good’ side than the ‘bad.’ Keywords: medicalization ; love ; love drugs ; neuroenhancement ; marriage ; ethics . Do not all charms fl y , subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at At the mere touch of cold philosophy? There was an awful rainbow once in heaven: We know her woof, her texture; she is given In the dull catalogue of common things. Philosophy will clip an Angel’s wings, Conquer all mysteries by rule and line, 02 Oct 2021 at 14:56:39 Empty the haunted air, and gnomed mine— Unweave a rainbow, as it erewhile made , on The tender-person’d Lamia melt into a shade.
    [Show full text]
  • A Qualitative Study of Falling in Love
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1988 It happened by "magic": A qualitative study of falling in love Jacqueline L. Gibson The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Gibson, Jacqueline L., "It happened by "magic": A qualitative study of falling in love" (1988). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 4975. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/4975 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. COPYRIGHT ACT OF 1976 Th is is an unpublished manuscript in which copyright s u b s i s t s , Any further r e p r in t in g of it s contents must be APPROVED BY THE AUTHOR. Ma n sf ie l d Library Un iv e r s it y of Montana ' Date :____1 9 . 8 J B _______ IT HAPPENED BY "MAGIC": A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF FALLING IN LOVE By Jacqueline L. Gibson B. A., University of Montana, Missoula, 1975 Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts University of Montana 1988 Approved by Chairman, Board of Examiners UMI Number: E P 40439 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted.
    [Show full text]
  • Addiction Is Definitely Real
    1. Having few healthy boundaries, we become sexually involved with 1. We seek to develop a daily relationship with a Higher Power, and/or emotionally attached to people without knowing them. knowing that we are not alone in our efforts to heal ourselves from 2. Fearing abandonment and loneliness, we stay in and return to our addiction. painful, destructive relationships, concealing our dependency needs 2. We are willing to be vulnerable because the capacity to trust has from ourselves and others, growing more isolated and alienated from been restored to us by our faith in a Higher Power. friends and loved ones, ourselves, and God. 3. We surrender, one day at a time, our whole life strategy of, and 3. Fearing emotional and/or sexual deprivation, we compulsively pur- our obsession with the pursuit of romantic and sexual intrigue and sue and involve ourselves in one relationship after another, some- emotional dependency. times having more than one sexual or emotional liaison at a time. 4. We learn to avoid situations that may put us at risk physically, 4. We confuse love with neediness, physical and sexual attraction, morally, psychologically or spiritually. pity and/or the need to rescue or be rescued. 5. We learn to accept and love ourselves, to take responsibility for 5. We feel empty and incomplete when we are alone. Even though our own lives, and to take care of our own needs before involving we fear intimacy and commitment, we continually search for relation- ourselves with others. ships and sexual contacts. 6. We become willing to ask for help, allowing ourselves to be vul- 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Love Addiction Recovery Kit
    Love Addiction Recovery Kit 1. Understanding love Pages 2 to 14 addiction 2. Beginning to let go Withdrawal coping plan Detaching from obsessive thinking 3. Exploring the past Unpacking the fantasy 4. Preparing for the future Boundary plan 5. Understanding healthy Infatuation versus relationships mature love This kit is for you if: o You experience romantic attractions that cause you difficulty (e.g., attractions to unavailable people) o You have difficulty sustaining long-term relationships after the initial attraction wears off 1 Copyright © 2017 Christina Bell, R. Psych Please distribute this document freely Last update: April 17, 2017 Love Addiction Recovery Kit If nothing saves us from death, as least love should save us from life – Pablo Neruda It all starts with a moment of connection. Their smile lingers for a second longer, and you feel that flutter inside. You look forward to seeing them, and wonder if they feel the same. Soon the empty spaces of your day are filled with thoughts of them. You become self-conscious in their presence, wanting to appear your best. The feelings of euphoria are a welcomed distraction from reality, making ordinary troubles trivial. And so begins romantic love. Romantic love is a natural phenomenon that occurs across cultures and even in animals. Evolutionary psychologists1 believe that romantic love is a motivational drive designed to secure a mate, procreate, and rear children as a team. The euphoria of romantic love typically lasts a few month months to two years, and usually fades into more of a contended companionship. Can one be addicted to love? Researchers are discovering that the chemicals produced in romantic love are similar to amphetamines like cocaine.
    [Show full text]
  • Love Addiction - Main Page
    Love Addiction - Main Page Love Addiction / Relationship Addiction - Main Page Back to main page, recovery page http://www.loveandaddiction.com/love_addiction.htm Other Names and Definitions ● extreme emotional dependency ● romantic intrigue ● pattern of painful or obsessive romantic relationships What is love addiction? Love addicts are drawn to the fantasy of romance. They find themselves continually drawn into unhealthy relationships that cause them pain. Love addiction is destructive pattern of relating to others that becomes increasingly empty and fuels resentment. Addicts attach themselves to others and take care of them or become helpless and cared for, in an attempt control others and avoid abandonment. Romance addiction describes being in relationship with a fantasy. The “high” of the intoxication experienced during the attraction stage of romance becomes the drug, preventing any real intimacy from ever developing. The common pattern for this addiction is a series of short liaisons that end when any difficulty arises. It may also be present in long term relationships, as the addict escapes to fantasy lovers, avoiding the challenges of forging true intimacy. At times, this can also take the form of a dramatic obsession that results in the stalking of the romantic fantasy object by the obsessed. Obsessive, dependent, erotic love often is a misplaced attempt to achieve the fusion we so deeply desire. We want to end the feelings of isolation caused by our learned restraints against true intimacy. Aroused by the experience of love, one often is willing to suspend those restraints in order to merge with another. If the merger is dependent and immature, the result is love addiction.
    [Show full text]
  • The Overlap Between Romantic Love and Addiction
    Masterthesis Master Neuroscience and Cognition, CN track The overlap between romantic love and addiction By A.J. Barends 3268357 Supervisor: Prof. dr. L.J.M.J. Vanderschuren 1 Abstract: Many parallels can be drawn between the behaviour of those who are in love and those who are addicted. Their behavior is characterized by a preoccupation with obtaining the reward, and spending time with the target of the preoccupation, as well as a lack of interest in any other activities. Both love and addiction can be divided in an initial formation stage, a maintenance stage and if applicable a disruption stage. The formation of both love and addiction critically relies on changes in the mesolimbic pathway. For love also activity in the oxytocin/vasopressin system is necessary, this system is tightly coupled to the natural reward system. The behavior is maintained by the increase incentive salience of the drug or the partner, as well by the aversive effects of withdrawal or separation. When a pair-bond is disrupted or drug consumption is discontinued, a depression in activity of the mesolimbic system is observed. Although the changes in the natural reward system underlying love and addiction overlap to some degree, there are also marked divergencies. In addition, there are also pronounced behavioral differences between love and addiction. Importantly, love is not a compulsive behavior, but it is guided by normal hedonic sensations and motivation. It can therefore not be concluded that love in general is an addiction. On the other hand, in exceptional cases, maladaptive, perhaps compulsive forms of love occur, that may be akin to addiction.
    [Show full text]
  • The Tyranny of Love: Love Addiction­­An Anthropologist’S View
    Fisher, HE (2014) The Tyranny of love: Love addiction­­an anthropologist’s view. In Laura Curtiss Feder and Ken Rosenberg, Eds. Behavioral addictions: criteria, evidence and treatment. Elsevier Press THE TYRANNY OF LOVE: Love addiction­­an anthropologist’s view “When we want to read of the deeds of love, whither do we turn? To the murder column.” ­­ George Bernard Shaw Laymen and scientists have long regarded romantic love as part of the supernatural, or as an invention of the Troubadours in 12th century France, or as the result of cultural tradition. However, current data collected using brain scanning (functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI) indicate that feelings of intense romantic love engage regions of the brain’s “reward system,” specifically dopamine pathways associated with energy, focus, motivation, ecstasy and craving, including primary regions associated with addiction (Bartels and Zeki 2000; Fisher et al 2003; Bartels and Zeki 2004; Aron et al 2005; Fisher et al 2005; Ortigue et al 2007; Fisher et al 2010a; Acevedo et al., 2011, Xu et al 2011). Moreover, men and women who are passionately in love show all of the basic symptoms of addiction, including craving, tolerance, emotional and physical dependence, withdrawal and relapse (see Fisher 2004). 1 Because romantic love is regularly associated with a suite of traits linked with all addictions, several psychologists have come to believe that romantic love can potentially become an addiction (Peele 1975; Halpern 1982; Tennov 1979; Hunter et al 1981; Mellody et al 1992; Griffin­Shelley 1991; Schaef 1989). However, many define addiction as a pathological, problematic disorder (Reynaud et al 2010); and because romantic love is a positive experience under many circumstances (i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • Is It Love Or Addiction
    Is It Love or Is It Addiction? Brenda Schaeffer Second Edition Contents Acknowledgments Preface I The Reality of Addictive Love Chapter 1: The Power of Love Healthy Love Addiction Types of Love Addiction Love and the Unconscious Mind Chapter 2: The Roots of Love Addiction The Role of Biology The Role of Culture The Role of Spiritual Quests Self-Actualization The Role of Psychology Chapter 3: The Psychology of Love Addiction A Psychological Understanding of Dependencies The Child Within: Addictive Dependency The Myths behind Love Addiction II How Do I Love Thee? Chapter 4: Addictive Lovers Identifying Addictive Love The Characteristics of Addictive Love Chapter 5: Power Plays Power The Beginnings of Power Plays Twenty-Three Power Plays Options The Goal: Mutual Respect Chapter 6: Healthy Belonging Our Need for Others The Characteristics of Healthy Belonging Power Sharing III Hope for Tomorrow Chapter 7: From Addiction to Love The Way Out Out of Addiction and into Healthy Love: The Process From Addiction to Healthy Love Sometimes, We Need to Let Go Chapter 8: Helping Yourself out of Love Addiction The Self-Help Method: Awareness, Assessment, Decision, Exploration, Reprogramming, Renewal, and Expansion Notes Bibliography Resources: For Further Information Index How to Contact the Author Preface It has been ten years since the first publication of Is It Love or Is It Addiction? Its phenomenal success was a gift in many ways. It provided me with the opportunity to speak to an international audience. It allowed me to hear relationship stories from many people of diverse cultural backgrounds. Mostly, it confirmed that what I had written about is a universal theme.
    [Show full text]
  • The Seductive Withholder Will Again Holders
    LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS By Mandy Peterson ARE YOU BEING TAKEN FOR A RIDE ON A RELATIONSHIP MERRY-GO-ROUND? Seductive Withholders may attempt The Seductive to reinitiate the relationships they sabotage. They are one form of what’s Withholder termed an Ambivilant Love Addict. Like Romance Addicts, Seductive Withholders are a form of Ambivalent Love Addict. Susan Peabody was the first to create the term “Ambivalent Love Addiction”–see her book Addic- tion to Unrequited Love: Overcoming Obsession and Dependency in Relationships. Ambivalent Love Addicts tend to crave ilar to the Saboteur, except they don’t of intimacy or of rejection. Whatever intimacy and closeness with a partner, completely walk away from the rela- the case, a pattern is set up; one which but fear it at the same time. They tend tionships they sabotage. A Saboteur keeps the relationship hot and cold, or to keep relationships at a superficial will usually not look back once they on and off. Seductive Withholders will level through various means. This pro- have sabotaged a relationship. Howev- often continue this on-and-off process tects them from having to develop a er, if such a person does look back, and for as long as their love interest(s) is closer and more intimate relationship. if they re-initiate this pattern over and able to endure it. According to Susan, the different types over with the same partner, they then of Ambivalent Love Addicts include: become a “Seductive Withholder.” Thus, Seductive Withholders could be • Torchbearers – those who
    [Show full text]
  • Surviving the Addictive Love Cycle Workbook Helen Mia Harris Table of Contents
    Surviving the Addictive Love Cycle A self-help workbook of empowering exercises and strategies to support you through a painful break-up, unrequited love and loss Helen Mia Harris © 2017 HMH Publications Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, sold, stored in a retrieval system, or in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. This is for your own personal use. For legal reasons we are obliged to state the following: Disclaimer: To the fullest extent permitted by law, HMH Publications Ltd is providing this written material, its subsidiary elements and its contents on an ‘as is’ basis and make no (and expressly disclaim all) representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this written material or its contents, including, without limitation, advice and recommendations, warranties or merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose. Helen Mia Harris is a registered therapist but offers her insights and advice for guidance only. All dates, place names, titles and events in this account are factual. However, the names have been changed in order to protect privacy and respect patient confidentiality. It is also wise to have face-to-face grief counselling or relationship therapy as this program is by no means the absolute cure for the acute despair one can experience at this devastating time. If you are experiencing: panic, depression, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, anxiety or separation distress, it is vital that you also make an appointment with your local General Practitioner; this can be coupled by seeing a therapist or psychoanalyst in your local area.
    [Show full text]
  • LOVE ADDICTION? Individuals Do Not Fall in Love with Someone Who Will Return Their Affection
    TOXIC & ADDICTIVE LOVE: HOW TO HELP THOSE IN THE CYCLE Janie Lacy, LMHC, NCC, CSAT www.LifeCounselingSolutions.com TODAY’S OBJECTIVE • Cultural influences • Attachment styles • Love on the brain • Cycle of toxic love • Interventions to break the cycle • Q & A TOXIC LOVE: HEADLINE NEWS LET’S TALK ABOUT IT Celebrities Talking About It: Interview Clip SAFE WITH ME BY SAM SMITH If you ever need me Just tell me and I'll be there Cause I was built for you Yes I was built to carry all your feelings Cause I won't let them know I won't let you go baby I don't care what your past is I don't need no answers Just have faith in me REHAB BY RIHANNA Baby, baby And all of a sudden When we first met you went and left I never felt something I didn't know how to follow so strong You were like my lover It's like a shock And my best friend That spun me around All wrapped into one And now my heart's dead With a ribbon on it I feel so empty and hollow "As long as we believe that someone else has the power to make us happy then we are setting ourselves up to be victims” Codependence: The Dance of Wounded Souls WHAT IS…… WHAT IS LOVE ADDICTION? Individuals do not fall in love with someone who will return their affection. Rather, they are attracted to somebody who will neglect the relationship. – Pia Mellody (author of Facing Love Addiction) Patrick Carnes (2001) – Four Primary Criteria (Addiction) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • ENTIRE PACKAGE.Pdf
    LAA Love Addicts Anonymous reetings! and thank you for your interest is starting a Love Addicts Anon- Gymous meeting. There is no perfect way to start a meeting. You just need the willingness to start small and build on what you have. Remember that LAA is a 12- Step program and that you have a Higher Power to guide you. To start, you must select a time and place. The place can be anywhere. Some people start in their living rooms. Some people find a donated space in a church or hospital. Others pay rent. Once you find a time and location, you have to advertise the meeting. World Service can provide you with a sample flyer and the electronic version of any LAA text that you might want to put on it. You can post these flyers all over town. In the first LAA meeting we put flyers in an Oakland Recovery Center, where all kinds of 12-step programs meet, and that is how we got our first members. Our early members also spread the word at other 12-step meetings they attended. Keep your flyers handy and pass them out to everyone you meet, or make up some inexpensive business cards to pass out. You can also send the press release to local newspapers. Some of them may want to do a story on LAA. The Suggested Meeting Format has evolved through trial and error. We will provide you with an electronic version if you want. If you are unhappy with this format, you can create your own.
    [Show full text]