THE RECOVERY BLUES
Prescriptions for the Clean, Sober, and Depressed
The current project is a practical guide for former substance abusers experiencing periods of depression associated with early recovery which will lead them through the critical and dangerous emotional peaks and valleys they used to control with chemicals.
The book speaks to the overwhelming majority of former substance abusers who experience depression or "mood swings" as an offensive intruder trespassing on their recuperation, and to their professional counselors, employers, and families. The dark valleys and frantic episodes that plague these folks would be treated as mere annoyances by the "normal" populace. Routine disappointment and "the blues" are the common colds of emotional distress.
But these feelings that you and I have learned to drag ourselves through by necessity and the blessed knowledge that these moods are truly ephemeral, are new to the recovering alcoholic or addict, having been formerly controlled or postponed through chemical abuse.
Sobriety itself represents a form of grief-generating loss similar to the experiences of leaving the security of childhood, divorce, or the death of a loved one. It is "the day that the circus left town", and the awful reality of reality. These downside periods frequently orbit around the realization of addiction-related lost time and tenure in school, family responsibilities, and careers.
While the book does not dwell on psychiatric problems needing medical attention, alcoholism and drug addiction are not exclusive diseases. Just as a person can be an alcoholic and also have a broken leg or diabetes, an alcoholic can also suffer from unrelated mental illnesses that nay have been masked or misdiagnosed while they were deep into their addiction. This book accurately represents the current psychiatric wisdom and consensus, and the reader is given clear guidelines to alert those who should be looking beyond self-help literature.
The Recovery Blues metes out specific, unambiguous rules and advice. Moods are described as Bright side, Somber Side, and Twilights, and specific remedial tasks are assigned to each period. the development of firm, positive habits which eliminate or lessen stress are spelled out, as are behavioral prohibitions and precautions during low periods.
Rather than padding the book with dreary case histories, each chapter contains a short anecdotal composite which is attributed to a fictional recoveree, struggling through the obstacle course of early recovery. While written to fill a serious need, the style and selection of anecdotes is humorous and readable, and will bring the reader smiles of knowing recognition and identification.
Chapter outline:
Introduction: There are many paths to recovery. This chapter explores some of these, and describes the approach taken in this book.
1. "I might as well be drunk": Making it through the very early days of recovery can be the toughest. This chapter focuses on how to deal with negative thoughts in order to prevent relapse early on.
2. The Recovery Blues: Often in early recovery depression and mood swings first hit. While they may have been there before, this may be the first time that they are recognized, rather than self-medicated. Early recognition is an essential key to appreciating the need for help and identifying triggers that must be dealt with.
3. The Bright Side: Feeling good is also common in early recovery. Feeling good can also lead to relapse as the pains of addiction tend to be forgotten during this time. Feeling too good may also be a sign of an emerging manic episode that can lead to disaster. This chapter shows how the bright side is an opportunity to firm up one's recovery program and prepare for some potential rough times ahead.
4. The matter of lists: After years of addiction, healthy lifestyles and habits developed by "normal" people have often been neglected. This chapter focuses on correcting maladaptive patterns often seen in addiction.
5. Twilight: The goal is to stay on the "Bright Side." Some set backs are rather predictable however. This chapter deals with skills to develop which minimize such set backs.
6. Entering the Somber Side: Despite doing all the right things, depression is often a part of normal life, for example in grieving the loss of a loved one. This chapter focuses on the recognition of feelings that once were an excuse to self medicate.
7. Somber side tool box: Acceptance. Dealing with grief, fatigue, fear, frustration, and anger.
8. More tools, tricks, and traps: Avoiding catastrophic thinking and projection, but thinking ahead in an appropriate manner.
9. And so to bed: Insomnia is common in early recovery, and often a cause of relapse. This chapter presents behavior methods for obtaining a good night's sleep, that are proven just as effective as "sleeping pills".
10. Guilt: Shame and guilt are common emotions in early recovery, but must be differentiated from the type of guilt associated with a major depressive disorder. This chapter focuses on dealing with these feelings without denial or rationalization. How to forgive others along with forgiveness of oneself is explored.
11. House cleaning: Character development like house cleaning takes work, but the results are gratifying. This chapter helps move things along.
12. With the program but in the dumps: As recovery progresses, the group process in 12-step programs or otherwise present unique challenges looked at in this chapter.
13. I think I'm losing my mind: Once clean and sober, people in recovery become more aware of everyday mistakes. While memory problems can be associated with the effects of drugs and alcohol, the recovering person may discover some memory and cognitive deficits simply associated with normal aging, and not noticed during their active addiction. This chapter helps the person in recovery identify what's normal, and how to deal with it in a normal way.
14. The caring factor: Caring and doing for others is shown to be an integral part of recovery. The need to be needed is also looked at.
15. Act as if: While the first step to financial and social success is being clean and sober, this chapter is about practical concerns, often neglected by those in active addiction.
16. Time. My friend: While the alcoholic or addict may fantasize about happiness, serenity, and success, in reality it takes time, even once clean and sober. This chapter deals with realistic expectations.
17. Is there a doctor in the house?: Now clean and sober, this chapter elaborates on professional help. Understanding the differences between personality characteristics and mood disorders which require medical attention is elaborated on. The use of medications like Antabuse and methadone in recovery is discussed. This chapter also discusses how addictive medications which are prescribed for legitimate reasons can be taken most safely.
18. That God gimmick and Spiritual spam: Spirituality as it relates to addiction and recovery is explored. The 12-steps as a spiritual program is discussed.
19. Failure: With success comes new opportunities for failure. Failure as part of life and how it is dealt with by the most successful people is looked at.
20. The slip: Slips are generally complex and often represent some weakness in a recovery program. This chapter deals with how to get oneself back on track and protecting oneself from further damage.
21. Making it, in spite of everything: Recovery can be seen as a journey. The book concludes with the most rewarding and spiritual aspects of recovery, this includes the sharing one's "experience, strength, and hope".
Illustrations by Donal Buchanan
The Recovery Blues has dozens of cartoons by Donal Buchanan to highlight important concepts. Donal Buchanan, a retired intelligence officer, was born and raised in Japan and served his country there as well as in India and Vietnam. He occupies his time with family, writing, golf, and linguistic research. His humorous and informative illustrations have appeared in specialty periodicals.
To further review or purchase THE RECOVERY BLUES click here.