The inherent value of identification cannot be ignored when dealing with those suffering from substance use disorder. Until the suffering person is able to lower their guard, lower their sense of distrust and sense of difference enough to engage in treatment and recovery, no positive movement will take place. In order for the individual to do that, they must trust the person trying to help them. That trust comes from believing that the people trying to help know how they feel. They know what it’s like to suffer and they truly do understand what it’s like to in early recovery. Our generous Recovered Podcast Community allows us to be self supporting and not rely on outside contributions.  If you would like to join us, there are three ways. Episode Sponsorship  We will recognize you by first name only at the top, mid, and end of the episode.  Any amount will qualify. Premium Membership  This is the single most effective way to support the show.  Watch the video in its entirety and learn how to become Premium Sustaining Partners  We have three ways in which you can participate in this 12-step mission We invite you to be a partner is this work. Call Us Now  http://recoveredcast.com/speakpipe   Ok Matt We are going to you first. What did you think of first when you learned about tonight’s topic. The Value of Identification in recovery? What is your first thought when the topic of identification comes to mind? Before using drugs and alcohol, did you trust? Who did you trust? What were the circumstances? Who did you trust most? Who did you not trust? When did you first learn to not trust? What were the circumstances? How did that affect you? Were you trustworthy before using? Before program, did you know anything about AA? What did you believe recovery was about before your first meeting? What did you actually find in AA?     ______________________________________________________ We asked our listeners about this topic. Now, listeners, If you would like to participate in these weekly surveys, just email me an invite request. Email me at mark@recoveredcast.com And I will send you an invite to our Recoveredcast Google group. This group receives the show notes for the upcoming show. You will also receive an invite to participate in the weekly survey. You will also receive a link to call into the show so you can share you experience with the recovery topic. This group helps us prepare for each week’s topic. Again, just email a google group invite request to mark@recoveredcast.com To get involved in each week’s show prep. We asked our listeners, "Who did you first identify with in Recovery?” Did you take the survey? https://www.surveymonkey.com/analyze/4NqvBYWizspxW40DoYK7i7_2F0p4fJ3HN34QAUoR43UN_2FWX2z5WSxWvwEVKiHEuFnx What would be your answer? ________________________________________________________ Did you trust people in AA? Did you think they were telling you the truth? When did you start to learn to trust people? When did you start to trust the program? When did you start to trust your higher power? Did you compare yourself to others in AA? How does comparing and identifying differ? When did you start to identify and not compare? How did that help your recovery? Why? What happened after you were able to identify? What part of your story do some people identify with? How has that helped them? How has that helped you? We have calls - Our phone call segment is brought to you by our Recovered Podcast Sustaining Partners ____________________________________________________________ Our sustaining recovered podcast partners are a big part in our self supporting movement. This week Michael became a Sustaining Partners Thank you Michael We have three ways in which you can partner with us in this 12-step mission to spread the good news all around the world and keep us online. You can become a sustaining partner by giving on a monthly basis for one year. As an expression of our gratitude for your donation, we will send you Recovered podcas