When you started recovery, you probably thought that drugs and alcohol were your biggest enemy. You fought hard in early recovery to rid yourself from drugs and alcohol. You probably believed that once you got away from them, your life would be easy again. You would be finally out of trouble. But there is so much more in 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 In early recovery, you learned that overcoming addiction is not easy. It is not just about getting the drugs out of your system — you need to develop a whole new relationship with yourself through meetings and personal growth. As it turns out, addiction isn’t as much about the drugs and alcohol as it is about your physical and mental make-up and your emotional status. Recovery requires a complete personal lifestyle overhaul. First to mind? Where do you want to start? What do you want to say? What do you want to bring to the new person? What do you want to get out of recovery? Did you think that was possible? What event event, what circumstances, made you believe that recovery was possible for you? When did you realize that you wanted more than just sobriety? What was it that you wanted? How did you work toward it? How did the program help you work toward that goal? ______________________________________________________ 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, "What part of your program helps you grow?” Did you take the survey? https://www.surveymonkey.com/analyze/aqVPlHuujbvt59XHebcFRw7OptK2kTuFZ05ZCZF8roSUtvG9INjQPsZNasEfLfnb What would be your answer? ________________________________________________________ We can also watch people grow. One of the best thing about recovery is watching people grow. Tonight we received an email and I think we can relate to the joy of watching someone grow in this email Lisa...can you read the email from Jennifer? How has the program helped you grow spiritually? Two things that every new person faces and needs to grow out of are: The desire to escape Fear Many of us just wanted to escape from life and we found that drugs and alcohol were effective to achieve that goal. Have you ever suffered with the desire to escape? How do you deal with this urge? How has the program helped? (Steps, prayers, fellowship, sponsor, Higher Power, etc.) When you were new, what were you afraid of? How has the program helped? Steps, prayers, fellowship, sponsor, Higher Power, etc.) Today, how do you deal with fear? They say, Addiction recovery is a long journey to yourself. What does this mean to you? Another piece of advice is Personal growth is a lifelong process. What does this mean to you? Another slogan is Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. How do you stay busy, what hobbies do you have? What hobbies would you recommend for the new person? Life ne