R.A.’s Stories of Recovery Revealed
We are using this newsletter to introduce stories from our latest addition to R.A.'s Suggested Literature, R.A.'s Stories of Recovery Revealed. After many years of work, the full PDF version of this new book is now available. You can download it from the "R.A.'s Books" page on R.A.'s website.
The stories in R.A.'s Stories of Recovery Revealed were initially published in this newsletter years ago. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, some were abridged. In addition, the number of people reading this newsletter has tripled. Therefore, this will be the first opportunity many people will have to read the full versions of these stories.
R.A.'s Stories of Recovery Revealed contains the stories of R.A. members. These accounts follow the same structure used by the program's creators—the pioneers—in their original stories. In these new stories, R.A. members describe in a general way, what they used to be like, how they found R.A., how they worked all Twelve Steps, and what they are like now.
In R.A., we hope that R.A.'s Stories of Recovery Revealed will inspire its readers to go through R.A.'s Step Presentation. They will thoroughly follow all of the pioneers' "clear-cut directions." They will fully work all Twelve Steps. They will recover. We believe that R.A.'s Stories of Recovery Revealed is a valuable addition to R.A.'s Suggested Literature.
The stories in R.A.'s Stories of Recovery Revealed were initially published in this newsletter years ago. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, some were abridged. In addition, the number of people reading this newsletter has tripled. Therefore, this will be the first opportunity many people will have to read the full versions of these stories.
R.A.'s Stories of Recovery Revealed contains the stories of R.A. members. These accounts follow the same structure used by the program's creators—the pioneers—in their original stories. In these new stories, R.A. members describe in a general way, what they used to be like, how they found R.A., how they worked all Twelve Steps, and what they are like now.
In R.A., we hope that R.A.'s Stories of Recovery Revealed will inspire its readers to go through R.A.'s Step Presentation. They will thoroughly follow all of the pioneers' "clear-cut directions." They will fully work all Twelve Steps. They will recover. We believe that R.A.'s Stories of Recovery Revealed is a valuable addition to R.A.'s Suggested Literature.
I Have Had My Sanity Restored
My connection with my Higher Power
is the most significant aspect of my life today.
An R.A. Recovery Storyis the most significant aspect of my life today.
Thank you for giving me the privilege of sharing my story of recovery. It describes my journey back to life, back to sanity, back to who I truly am, back to my soul that is part of my Creator. It is also the tale of the restoration of my sanity. Indeed, today I can genuinely say that I have recovered by G-d's Grace through R.A.'s Twelve Step program of recovery.
Unlike many of the Recoveries Anonymous members whose stories I have read, I am not from the United States. I am originally from the other side of the globe. Today I live in yet another country on another continent. English is not my native language, but I still want to share my story, so I will do the best I can.
My parents did the best they could to give me all I needed, and for that, I am grateful. However, I also learned patterns from them that go from generation to generation. They suffered from problems and behaviors of their own. Their parents–my grandparents–had to leave their own country of origin because of war. Therefore, both of those generations lived through many traumas.
Whether or not they intended it, there was a lot of panic and drama, and overprotection. I am sure they meant well; after all, they wanted to protect me from harm and pain. They did not know how much of the world they were powerless over. All these things greatly influenced my life. I ended up with extremely low self-esteem, insecurity, and resentment.
When I became an adult, I realized that I had severe problems with relationships. I did not know how to relate to people in a healthy, sane way. I was very isolated and did not believe in anything or anybody. Even though I was an adult in years, most of the time, I was looking for parenting. I wanted the parents that I never had. Naturally, this led to a lot of frustration and disappointment.
At the same time, I started to use food and other things to run away from my feelings. Soon I could not stop eating. I did not understand what was going on. Unable to open up about my true feelings, I became more like a robot than a human being.
I recognized that I needed a solution for my problems. Somehow I had enough maturity to go to a therapist. I saw them for two years, and this helped me to some extent. It also brought up issues about my need for parenting and my need to have someone to listen and understand me. I realized how much of my life I had spent searching for someone or something to rescue me.
One day, I met someone in my community who had lost a lot of weight. I asked her, "How did you do that?" She told me to go to a Twelve Step meeting. So I did. From the beginning, there were things about that program I did not enjoy. For example, like everyone there, I was told to introduce myself as a food addict. I already knew I had a problem–now I was to be tagged with a stigma.
Another thing that bothered me was that they told me to follow a food plan. That didn't make sense. I was there because I could not stick to a diet. Sure, there were brief periods when I did okay. However, they were inevitably soon followed by relapse.
(This story continues in the next section of this newsletter.)
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 Unlike many of the Recoveries Anonymous members whose stories I have read, I am not from the United States.  |
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My parents did the best they could to give me all I needed, and for that, I am grateful. However, I also learned patterns from them that go from generation to generation. They suffered from problems and behaviors of their own. Their parents–my grandparents–had to leave their own country of origin because of war. Therefore, both of those generations lived through many traumas.
Whether or not they intended it, there was a lot of panic and drama, and overprotection. I am sure they meant well; after all, they wanted to protect me from harm and pain. They did not know how much of the world they were powerless over. All these things greatly influenced my life. I ended up with extremely low self-esteem, insecurity, and resentment.
When I became an adult, I realized that I had severe problems with relationships. I did not know how to relate to people in a healthy, sane way. I was very isolated and did not believe in anything or anybody. Even though I was an adult in years, most of the time, I was looking for parenting. I wanted the parents that I never had. Naturally, this led to a lot of frustration and disappointment.
At the same time, I started to use food and other things to run away from my feelings. Soon I could not stop eating. I did not understand what was going on. Unable to open up about my true feelings, I became more like a robot than a human being.
I recognized that I needed a solution for my problems. Somehow I had enough maturity to go to a therapist. I saw them for two years, and this helped me to some extent. It also brought up issues about my need for parenting and my need to have someone to listen and understand me. I realized how much of my life I had spent searching for someone or something to rescue me.
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| I realized how much of my life I had spent searching for someone or something to rescue me. |
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Another thing that bothered me was that they told me to follow a food plan. That didn't make sense. I was there because I could not stick to a diet. Sure, there were brief periods when I did okay. However, they were inevitably soon followed by relapse.
(This story continues in the next section of this newsletter.)
Iwas not allowed to share unless I had a least a week of back-to-back abstinence. I was frustrated and miserable most of the time. To top off all this misery, I would beat myself up for being unable to make it in this program. So in humiliation and despair, I finally left that group.
A friend told me about Recoveries Anonymous. She said that in R.A., they follow the directions from the Big Book to work all Twelve Steps. She said it was worth a try. Still, I had a lot of resistance. I did not trust that it could help me. By the Grace of G-d, I decided to try it. Off I went to my first Recoveries Anonymous meeting.
From that first R.A. meeting, I felt a world of difference. Everyone there gave me a warm welcome. I found acceptance and unconditional love. I was surprised when nobody asked me about my problems or behaviors. It did not matter to them if I was clean or acting out. From the beginning, thI was surprised, but I did my best to do what they suggested. I started sharing at R.A. Discussions. I began to lead them. I also started working with others. Very quickly, I could see results, even though I did not completely understand the program.
An R.A. sponsor began to take me through the R.A. Step Presentation. As we read and discussed R.A.'s Multilith Big Book, I realized I was entirely, utterly, totally powerless over my various problems and behaviors. I could not control myself.
I began to understand the root of my difficulties. It was selfishness–self-centeredness. What I had thought were my troubles–food, weight, anger, all of my other problems and behaviors–were just the symptoms of a spiritual illness.
From my first day in R.A., they suggested that I have a Daily Quiet Time with my Higher Power. I immediately began to do this and still do it today. During this period of meditation, I follow the instructions from the Big Book.
I continue to take my inventory. I maintain my connection to my loving Creator. I do this by telling G-d about my problems. I ask for His direction and guidance. I pray to do His will. Doing the Daily Quiet Time in R.A. is the way I now live in Steps Ten and Eleven.
I am also especially living in Step Twelve. I do this to the best of my ability. I try to carry R.A.'s message of hope, sanity, and recovery to those who are still suffering. I now take others through R.A.'s Step Presentation.
(This story continues in the next section of this newsletter.)
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A friend told me about Recoveries Anonymous. She said that in R.A., they follow the directions from the Big Book to work all Twelve Steps. |
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From that first R.A. meeting, I felt a world of difference. Everyone there gave me a warm welcome. I found acceptance and unconditional love. I was surprised when nobody asked me about my problems or behaviors. It did not matter to them if I was clean or acting out. From the beginning, thI was surprised, but I did my best to do what they suggested. I started sharing at R.A. Discussions. I began to lead them. I also started working with others. Very quickly, I could see results, even though I did not completely understand the program.
An R.A. sponsor began to take me through the R.A. Step Presentation. As we read and discussed R.A.'s Multilith Big Book, I realized I was entirely, utterly, totally powerless over my various problems and behaviors. I could not control myself.
I began to understand the root of my difficulties. It was selfishness–self-centeredness. What I had thought were my troubles–food, weight, anger, all of my other problems and behaviors–were just the symptoms of a spiritual illness.
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| An R.A. sponsor began to take me through the R.A. Step Presentation. |
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I continue to take my inventory. I maintain my connection to my loving Creator. I do this by telling G-d about my problems. I ask for His direction and guidance. I pray to do His will. Doing the Daily Quiet Time in R.A. is the way I now live in Steps Ten and Eleven.
I am also especially living in Step Twelve. I do this to the best of my ability. I try to carry R.A.'s message of hope, sanity, and recovery to those who are still suffering. I now take others through R.A.'s Step Presentation.
(This story continues in the next section of this newsletter.)
Initially, this was not easy. I had lots of resistance and excuses, but thank G-d, my willingness, understanding, and effectiveness continue to grow day by day. The miracles in my life that are the result of working all Twelve Steps are out of this world.
My connection with my Higher Power is the most significant aspect of my life today. He is doing for me the things I could never do for myself. I am so grateful that I no longer hurt others or myself.
His Grace has restored me to sanity. G-d is removing my obsessions and compulsions, one by one, without any thought or effort on my part–as long as I keep in a fit spiritual condition. This process is terrific. As it says in R.A.'s Multilith Big Book, "It works. It really does–try it!"
My life has changed. I am serene, happy, content, and free. I now feel that I have a mission in life–to bring the light of the Creator to this world. In Recoveries Anonymous, we are lighting candles in the darkness of this world.
By the Grace of G-d, I have recovered. I have recovered my sanity. I have recovered my relationship with my Creator. I have recovered my trust in my Higher Power. I have recovered my ability to have a relationship with other people and with myself.
As a result of working all Twelve Steps in R.A., I now react sanely and normally in the same situations where I used to behave insanely. I have learned that being recovered does not always depend on having a physical change. My experience is that the physical recovery is sometimes the last to happen.
Recently, I went on holiday with my family. By G-d's Grace, things are so different now. I could be present for them, more loving and understanding than I had ever been before. I felt humility and acceptance. I now know that all this is the result of G-d doing for me what I cannot do for myself.
Thanks to Recoveries Anonymous, I have learned my real purpose. It is my main goal. I strive to be of maximum service to G-d and the people about me. I now try to live with love and tolerance of others as my code.
I have moved from a self-centered life of misery and despair to a G-d centered way of living. I am now enjoying a life of hope, sanity, and recovery. I again want to thank you for allowing me to share my story.
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My connection with my Higher Power is the most significant aspect of my life today. |
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His Grace has restored me to sanity. G-d is removing my obsessions and compulsions, one by one, without any thought or effort on my part–as long as I keep in a fit spiritual condition. This process is terrific. As it says in R.A.'s Multilith Big Book, "It works. It really does–try it!"
My life has changed. I am serene, happy, content, and free. I now feel that I have a mission in life–to bring the light of the Creator to this world. In Recoveries Anonymous, we are lighting candles in the darkness of this world.
By the Grace of G-d, I have recovered. I have recovered my sanity. I have recovered my relationship with my Creator. I have recovered my trust in my Higher Power. I have recovered my ability to have a relationship with other people and with myself.
As a result of working all Twelve Steps in R.A., I now react sanely and normally in the same situations where I used to behave insanely. I have learned that being recovered does not always depend on having a physical change. My experience is that the physical recovery is sometimes the last to happen.
Recently, I went on holiday with my family. By G-d's Grace, things are so different now. I could be present for them, more loving and understanding than I had ever been before. I felt humility and acceptance. I now know that all this is the result of G-d doing for me what I cannot do for myself.
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| I have moved from a self-centered life of misery and despair to a G-d centered way of living. |
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I have moved from a self-centered life of misery and despair to a G-d centered way of living. I am now enjoying a life of hope, sanity, and recovery. I again want to thank you for allowing me to share my story.
R.A.’s “How To Begin…” Guides
To find out more about our Twelve Step Fellowship, and how you can get started working the Twelve Steps of our Solution Focused Program of Recovery, we suggest that you visit our website and Download R.A.'s free "How To Begin…" guides. This includes the blue R.A.'s Newcomer Guide, and the brown "R.A.'s Meetings Guide."
For more information about Recoveries Anonymous visit our website at www.R-A.org
To find out more about our Twelve Step Fellowship, and how you can get started working the Twelve Steps of our Solution Focused Program of Recovery, we suggest that you visit our website and Download R.A.'s free "How To Begin…" guides. This includes the blue R.A.'s Newcomer Guide, and the brown "R.A.'s Meetings Guide."
R.A.’s Solution Focused Books
Move up to the next step in your search for recovery by downloading and reading the PDF versions of R.A.'s Solution Focused Books. We do not charge for the PDF versions of our books. Instead, we give the passwords needed to open our books to thank those who support our efforts to help others. You can show your support by making a small, one time, tax-free contribution to R.A., or, if you truly cannot afford to make a contribution at this time, by filling out our Feedback Form.
If you are reading this, you have probably spent a lot of time and energy trying things that did not work out the way you hoped they would. Doesn't it make sense to invest a little more time and energy in this time-proven method of finding the recovery you've been seeking? As the pioneers promise in the Multilith Big Book: ''It works—it really does. Try it.''
R.A. Is Self-supporting
If R.A. has helped you, please consider making a contribution in support of our efforts to help others.
For more information about Recoveries Anonymous visit our website at www.R-A.org
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Want to be removed from our mail list?
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Forward this newsletter to a Friend!
Please feel free to forward this E-Newsletter to friends and family who may be interested in R.A. Did someone forward this E-Newsletter to you? To start getting your own copy, please click here.
Don't miss a single copy of There Is A Solution!
Remember to add RA-Newsletter@RA-News.org to your address book for uninterrupted delivery.
Is the print of our E-Newsletter too small?
Simply go to the "View" menu. Scroll down to "Text" and adjust the size. You can also try holding down the Control Key, and using the + and - Keys to enlarge or reduce the size of the page.
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