Random Resource ThuRsday ~ A Holiday Survival Story

Ran across this holiday survival story and I thought many could probably relate. It's from Sober Living's Website and the link will bring you there (great website..check it out).  Or you can read it here.

No More Ruined Holidays by Chris S. 

by slbts — last modified Dec 16, 2009 09:50 AM

Filed Under: 

• clean and sober holidays

Those of us who have lived through addiction and recovered will enjoy this passage from our staff member who really remembers what it is like to be a slave to addiction during the holidays.

     How many times has it been heard, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” Or, “You better be on your best behavior.” Only to let too much go on and you are arguing with someone in front of relatives, the kids and/or friends. Your argument is probably over something that isn't very important anyway. It's probably even an argument over something you don’t remember the next day (until someone reminds you about it). Maybe there's even a push and shove that goes too far and ends up in the tree or on the dining table. Maybe your struggle spills out on the front yard where the neighbors can see you. Maybe someone is so mad or embarrassed that they leave before the festivities had began. Some are crying in the background and others are taking up sides.
     It doesn’t have to be Christmas, Thanksgiving or New Years’ eve. I remember having a Tequila Easter playing monopoly. Don’t know who won or if we finished the game. But, the phone call the next day let me know I was not in the best behavior mode.
         Many people get busted for DUI’s during the holidays. It must make a person feel special when called to come bail someone out of jail on that special occasion.
        What about the false promises made that it won’t happen this year. The playing of the victim -  that it "wasn’t my fault." And the best move of all:  getting too wasted to even show up. Then the excuse of, “I am not hurting anyone but myself.”

Giving the Best Gift of All    

    One of the best presents I’ve seen people give others is getting help before the holidays. Giving the family, friends and loved ones the greatest joy of all. Being clean and sober for holidays present and future. Being able to keep a promise that you will be there. Maybe not this year, but next.

Many people get busted for DUI’s during the holidays. It must make a person feel special when called to come bail someone out of jail on that special occasion.

     Some of us are too selfish to think of others during certain days of the year. Thinking it might not happen if we are not present. It will still happen whether we are there or not.
     The greatest present I’ve been able to give others’ was the giving of myself. Clean and Sober.

www.recoveryBoxApp.com - the iPhone app for Addiction Recovery

recoveryBox Support and How To's

Wondering what type of support is available for recoveryBox users?

Go under the "More Tools" tab.

Feel free to Rate us in the App Store or even email about the app to a friend.  Email us directly for support and someone will get back to you ASAP.

But I think the most important option on that tab is the How-To's.  If you are stuck about a feature, this is the place that will tell you how to use it.  It's easy to see screen shots with lots of tips. Or you can visit the website for more tips and tricks.

Don't forget to check out this blog as there are weekly posts about how to better use recoveryBox during your addiction recovery.

Still don't have recoveryBox for your iPhone, Download it now.

A Gambler's Tale ~ Random Resource ThuRsday

I recently came across (via Twitter) this book.  It's about a normal person like you or me who can easily fall into the trap of a Gambling Addiction.  The thing about what I call "soft"addictions is that you are not ingesting, drinking, sniffing etc any type of substance to get those "high" feelings.    Addictions like gambling, pornography, hoarding, fantasizing is that you can create that same feeling without using a substance.  And it's very dangerous!!

The story is a very quick read but also reflects how quickly an addiction can form and often from such a young age.  Check out the Gambler's website for more information and how you can get the digital book.

That's it for Random Resource ThuRsday!!

recoveryBox Mobile iPhone App Review

I think what helps us best in deciding what tools to use in our lives for addiction recovery is seeing what others have to say.  Yes, recoveryBox, a new iPhone mobile app  has only been in the apple store for less than two weeks but it has been used in counseling for over a year by a great groups of testers.

These were actual testers in group counseling for various addictions including pornography, alcohol, gambling, drugs, food addictions and a few others..and even though the initial idea was born from this process, it got expanded quickly by the simple "I wonder if it could do ...???"

After it went live in the app store, we were checking it out to see what others have to say.  And each and every review is near and dear to us because of our goal of helping others.

Here is what Susanna's Music wrote...

"I'm a food addict in recovery, this tool Equips me for that I needed everyday successful.  I was looking for something that is combine with 12Step Program, and everything in "Celebrate Recovery".  This is it! Always with you on you phone where ever you go. I love the fact that I can txt my accountability partner from it, track my triggers. I'm going to promote it to everyone I know that struggle with hurt and hang-ups.  I think God send it!"


Thanks Susanna's Music.. we at HMHApps wish we could give you a huge hug and say congrats on deciding to recovery from your food addiction.  We're glad recoveryBox helps you and we can only hope it helps others too!!

If you ever have ideas on how to improve the app, let us know!!

Random Resource ThuRsday ~ Healing Emotional Wounds

As part of my Random Resource ThuRsday series, I'll be providing insight into other resources that are out there.  Today's I'm linking to a sight for the topic of "Healing Those Stubborn Emotional Wounds".

We all have some sort of baggage in our past that we have to deal with.  I will admit some more so than others but regardless of how painful it is to open that wound again, it has to be done.  I will not pretend to have any answers on how to go about that because each of us has a personal journey that God is leading us down.  But I do know that whatever that might look like, it has to be done.  

I encourage you to visit with a counselor, pastor, trusted friend, trained professional.  Only you know where you are and what type of pain you can handle but the healing must begin.  Trained professionals really can provide insight and advice on moving forward.

And if you are a friend of someone who is going through some sort of addiction recovery, trust me, just being there to listen is such an amazing gift.  Don't be there to solve problems...but to be a good listener.

"Healing Those Stubborn Emotional Wounds" from PsychCentral.

Random Resource ThuRsday!! recoveryBox iPhone app's 3R's

Tell someone you care about them!

I'm a believer that a website can not only present the service/product they are offering but also random resources that are out there in the community/cyberspace.

So, I'll be offering Random Resource Thursday...it might feature inspirational quotes, websites, other products..you just never know (if you have a suggestion please email it to me for consideration).

This week's random resource..send someone you love a card of encouragement. Recovery from an addiction is a long and often lonely road.  Even if it's someone you just barely know I'm sure they would be encouraged to know that someone notices the change.

So check out these addiction recovery cards.
Please note that I in no way endorse the site or products.  I just thought it's a nice resource to put out there.

Still haven't checked out recoveryBox the iPhone app..well, visit recoveryBox's website to learn more.

recoveryBox iPhone app is LIVE in apple store!!

WOW!! The app went live in a record time of 3 hours.  What does that mean..well, Apple (in their review process) thought it was a well put together app worthy of being in the app store.
recoveryBox in the Apple App Store!

Welcome to recoveryBoxApp!!

Welcome to the recoveryBox App blog!!  It's a blog about a new app for the iPhone coming this fall, 2012 and it's for those who are in recovery for an addiction..just about any addiction.

So you want to know what makes recoveryBox a little different I'm thinking?

Well, an addiction is a behavior repeated over and over and over to the point that it causes harm.  The idea behind recoveryBox is that we need to track our daily events in life to see just what is it we are doing. Yes, we need to make sure that we are even physically well so it's good to track things like we ate 3 squares a day, or that we took our meds, or that we went to group counseling or an AA meeting or Celebrate Recovery meeting.  But we also need to track things during our day that just didn't go so well such as watching that porn video at 3:00 AM. 

Just tracking that we did something is great!  Yes!! But we also need to know the why we did something and how we felt.  Yup, those can really be thought of our triggers.  Combined with that information of the what, where, why, etc we can then be held accountable to a sponsor or accountability partner.  Once you track your day it's easy to just take that next step and send that information to your partner. 

Don't worry, can't remember to enter what you did or even remember to connect with your accountability partner or sponsor..don't worry.  recoveryBox will remind you!

Treatment is not complete without attending counseling..in fact both the individual and group sessions are vital to overcoming this addiction.  You don't have to go it alone!

And if you have ever been in counseling you know that we create treatment goals.  recoveryBox will let you create your goals and journal about the progress too.  If you are part of a 12 Step program, you can even connect your treatment goals to a certain step.

Want to get motivated?  You earn badges by entering your data, or staying accountable, or staying sober (and yes there is even a place to track your sobriety date), and creating goals and MUCH MORE!  I just don't want to ruin it by telling you all the badges that you earn (and there are a bunch too)...surprises are so motivating!

I'll be adding more on the blog about the app and how to get the most out of it as well as helpful information about addiction recovery.  For now, I think that's all.

Well, that's the buzz for today for recoveryBox, the iPhone app for recovery addiction.  Look for it soon in the apple store, fall 2012!