2 0 1 0 - W I N T E R E D I T I O N

the
GABRIEL CHRISTIANS IN RECOVERY NEWSLETTER
Y O U R I N T E R N E T C O M M U N I T Y F O R R E C O V E RY ✢ A LWAY S AVA I L A B L E ✢ A LWAY S C A R I N G

z
The Dark Night of the Soul z

The blues, Winter blues, depression, just down and out, sick and tired
of being sick and tired... whatever we call it... this is a time of year
when many live a life in darkness both inside and out. This issue of
The Gabriel will focus on what the mystics called “The Dark Night of
the Soul.” We hope you find it enlightening. ClaraT

TIPS TO MANAGING ANXIETY & DEPRESSION

By: Stanley Popovich

Spiritual self-talk is a Everybody deals with anxiety

tremendous tool for
developing your power of
choice. It helps you expand
the brief moment of
decision between what
stimulates us and the
response to that Stimulus.
What, you might ask, is the
stimulus? It is the physical
and mental experience of
knowing how that stimulus
"feels”.
and depression, however some
people have a hard time in
managing it. As a result, here is
a brief list of techniques that a
person can use to help manage
their most persistent fears and
every day anxieties.
When facing current or impending tasks that feel overwhelming, the
first thing you can do is to divide the task into a series of smaller
steps. Completing these smaller tasks one at a time
Continued on page 4

ANSWERS New Advice to Parents: Tell the Truth About Your Past
Drug Use

A brief guide to Accomplishing
the Impossible
Be patient! Takes a moment to
download.
The latest research from the Hazelden Foundation comes
down firmly on the side of truthfulness when it comes to
discussing drugs with kids. More than 90 percent of both
parents and teens see parents as role models on drug-
use issues, whether or not teens were aware of their
parents past drug use.

1
THE GABRIEL
The Gabriel is a publication of Christians-
in-Recovery® dedicated to the uplifting
and inspiration of it’s members and friends.
It is published 4 times a year, once each
quarter.
The Gabriel Staff
Clara T.— Editor
James A. — Associate Editor
Goldie, the cutest little long-haired chihuahua is my new gift from Ruth here
Terri— Proofreader
Obie — CIR Executive Director
CIR Membership—Contributors
Christians in Recovery®, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)
non- profit corporation. We are a group of
recovering Christians dedicated to personal
one-on-one sharing of faith, strength and
hope as we live each day in recovery. We
I carried her outside and down the steps and got the fence all secure. Then it
work to regain and maintain balance and
order in our lives through active discussion
of the 12 Steps, the Bible, and experiences
in our own recovery from abuse, family
dysfunction, depression, anxiety, grief,
relationships and/or addictions of alcohol,
drugs, food, pornography, sexual addiction,
etc. CIR is comprised of people like you
who become Members and/or Donate. CIR
is governed by a Board of Directors that
meets on a regular basis.
Our Vision
It is the vision of the Board and Supporting
Members of CIR to continue to use the
latest technology, in addition to
conventional means, to reach those who
would normally not seek help-- to catch
those who fall through the cracks-- and to
further spread Christian hope, healing and
fellowship to those in need of recovery. Our
vision to go well beyond recovery so
people can fully discover, explore and
WOW. Good girl! Then the last 4 steps to the screened porch, she was getting
magnify all possibilities God intends for
them as individuals.
Christians in Recovery® is NOT:
• A crises center or hotline
• A substitute for attending church
• A professional therapy group
• A substitute for professional help or
assistance
• Geared to any one denomination
• Intended to replace secular recovery
groups or meetings
So the next time you’re ready to give up on yourself, or if your sponsee seems
• Intended to replace or undermine any
other Christian organization or group.
http://www.christians-in-recovery.org
ClaraT, Editor
THE STEPS...
ONE GREEN BEAN
AT A TIME
Musings
A parable for sponsors & sponsees by ClaraT
on CIR. We’ve spent the whole holiday vacation bonding and just enjoying each
other’s warmth. But the honest truth is that she’s learned to “go” outside via my
front door and the resulting hidden time bombs are embarrassing not to mention
hard on my grass. So... my task this Holiday Vacation time was to get a doggie
door put into my sliding patio door (check), get a little fence put up for her in the
back (check) and train her to go outside in the back. She used a doggie door at
Ruth’s house so I felt like it would be a piece of cake.
was time to teach her to come back in the same way she went out--via the back
door and the steps. She’d climbed them before with no problem so I thought hey
this will be easy. Well, Goldie balked at the first step. Nope. Don’t recognize that. I
want to come in the front door (aka the easier, softer way). Nope. Not going to let
you in that way. I wheedled and I pleaded and I praised when she approached the
first step. But she is shy and bashful and it was new and unknown. So I pulled out
the can of French Style Green Beans. She loves green beans. (You’ll have to ask
Ruth and Joan about that). Oh she wanted that green bean SO badly but just
couldn’t make first step. She’d approach it and then run away, looking all around
for another way. “Maybe there are some green beans here on the ground. I know
I found one here before.” Nope. But there’s that one. Ew. Okayyyy. She eased up
to that first step, grabbed that green bean and ran. It took a long time but she
finally got up that first step, grabbed a bean off the second step and acckk (yeah
that’s a sponsor word... acckk) was back on the ground again. Well I kept plying
with green beans... it’s attraction not promotion after all, right? ONE Step up....
run back down.. Step two... then three... patiently I fed little pieces of green beans
to Goldie. I found out pretty quickly that I had to keep her attention or she
wouldn’t see the green bean “land” to get it. She spent a fair amount of time at
each step sniffing the step itself. Trying to figure out what it was. And always she’d
go up a step or two. Before long she wasn’t even aware she was climbing steps
anymore, but what she did know was that it was all new and she didn’t like that!
Finally, finally she made her way all the way up to the lower deck.
full. Green beans not so attractive anymore. “This is strange. I don’t know this
way. I think I need to go find a different way.” So more patience. More trying not
to scare her off. More trying to show her the way. Finally when she was just not
going to climb that last step, and I was tired and my feet were wet from putting
the fence up in my slippers (yeah dumb I know) I gave up and went inside. I
thought well she’s so close... maybe if I turn on the microwave she’ll hear the
ding. I had just turned back to the dining room when in Miss Golden Girl prissed
right through the dining room into the kitchen like she knew exactly what she was
doing. As soon as my back was turned and I had given up for the third time... she
just decided to come on in. Sigh.
to go up a step or two but then right back down... be patient. God wins in the
end. Happy New Year to all and many blessings as your find your own life’s
delight one step at a time.
2
 ARTICLES
1

10 1 Tips To Managing Anxiety & Depression

An original article by CIR contributor Stanley Popovich.

7 Recovery Events
Online Course Schedule for Spring Semester - Seize the Opportunity!

9 Christian Recovery Reading Room

A nice assortment of books, pamphlets, even t.v. and websites

11 Healthy Attitudes
12 Timely Article on New Year’s Resolutions by Jim Aquila

12 Is My Depression SAD?
A member’s perspective on seasonal affective disorder

2 Musings by ClaraT

Departments
A lesson in the “green bean” step model

5 What’s New @ CIR

A small sampling of CIR’s information pages

6 Gleanings
Excerpts from the Message Boards, Prayer Requests, CIR News

8 Jim’s Table: What Did You Call Me!

Labels... what they do to people
10
10 Poets Corner
Featuring poems submitted by Jim A., Roadrunner and Ruth
8 14 This ‘N That
Random assortment of goodies that didn’t fit anywhere else

16 A Last Word On the Steps

How the steps work “in a nutshell” by Joe & Charlie

Wondering if there are any more issues
of the Gabriel? Well yes! View the
Summer & Fall 2009 issue as well as
Archives of past Gabriel issues.
The Gabriel available on CD @
Recovery.com bookstore.
It would make a great gift to a fellow
recovering Christian.
Do you have stories, poetry or original articles
you would like to submit for publication in the
Gabriel? Links to websites and even original
images are welcome. Remember if you did not
write the article, we must have copyright
permission for it to be published in The Gabriel.
Email your submissions to:
clara@christians-in-recovery.org

3
Managing Anxiety & Depression
Continued from Page 1
will make the stress more manageable and
increases your chances of success.
Sometimes we get stressed out when everything
happens all at once. When this happens, a person
should take a deep breath and try to find
something to do for a few minutes to get their
mind off of the problem. A person
could get some fresh air, listen to some
music, or do an activity that will give
them a fresh perspective on things.
A person should visualize a red stop sign
in their mind when they encounter a
fear provoking thought. When the
negative thought comes, a person
should think of a red stop sign that
serves as a reminder to stop focusing on
that thought and to think of something
else. A person can then try to think of
something positive to replace the
negative thought.
Another technique that is very helpful is to have a
small notebook of positive statements that makes
you feel good. Whenever you come across an
affirmation that makes you feel good, write it
down in a small notebook that you can carry
around with you in your pocket. Whenever you
feel depressed or frustrated, open up your small
notebook and read those statements. This will
help to manage your negative thinking.
Learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of
worrying about how you will get through the rest
of the week, try to focus on today. Each day can
provide us with different opportunities to learn
new things and that includes learning how to deal
4
with your problems. You never know when the
answers you are looking for will come to your
doorstep. We may be ninety-nine percent correct
in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that
one percent to make a world of difference.
Take advantage of the help that is available
around you. If possible, talk to a professional who
can help you manage your
depression and anxieties. They will
be able to provide you with
additional advice and insights on
how to deal with your current
problem. By talking to a
professional, a person will be
helping themselves in the long run
because they will become better
able to deal with their problems in
the future. Remember that it never
hurts to ask for help.
Dealing with our persistent fears is
not easy. Remember that all you
can do is to do your best each day, hope for the
best, and take things in stride. Patience,
persistence, education, and being committed in
trying to solve your problem will go along way in
fixing your problems.
Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to
Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non
Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a
general overview of techniques that are effective in
managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional
information go to:
http://www.managingfear.com/
 WANT TO KNOW?
• Want to quit smoking? Don't go to light smokes.
Switching to so-called light cigarettes won't
improve your health or help you quit smoking,
experts say.
• Want to know more about having/being a
Recovery Buddy or Sponsor? Learn More Here
• Interested in starting a local Christian recovery
group? Learn How Here
FOUND ON
THE NET
Troubled Minds Can
Mean Wider
Waistlines
Cancer survivors: Managing your emotions after
cancer treatment
Stress: Stop ignoring your needs
This is only a fraction of the information
available on the Christians-in-Recovery®
Website. There is a wealth of recovery
knowledge ranging from daily articles to
step guides, a daily blog, message boards,
chats. Over Come see what you’re
missing! Link
CIR Facts
If you know of a
Christian recovery
ministry, meeting,
group or counselor
add your resource
to the CIR online
database so others can learn about it too! Click here
to add your information.
RESEARCH STUDIES
Study: Parents' Expectations Can Influence Risky
Teen Behavior
The more parents expect their
teens to engage in risky
behaviors such as drinking and
using drugs, the more likely
their teens are to follow through
with those behaviors.
Parental Monitoring Can Curb
Teen Marijuana Use
Give the Gift of Recovery
Do you have a friend or know of
someone who just lost a job,
is struggling with life, addiction or
relationships, has a new baby,
etc.? Don't do something that
matters only alittle after a day or two. Make a
difference! There are many ways to give the gift of
recovery to a friend or loved one.

TIPS FOR SUPPORTING MEMBERS

• Read the Bible through in a year with your CIR friends and family. Bible Reading Plans
• Missing Meeting Host?
If you come to a scheduled meeting and the host or co-host are not there, those who are present should
gather in the Meeting room and start the meeting on time. You can select a host from those in attendance. It
is essential to fellowship, support and encourage one another.
• Volunteer to Host or Co-host a Meeting Mentoring is provided.
• Not a CIR member yet? Learn the Benefits of Membership Join us: Click Here

5
Gleanings
e roof
h on th
Ru t Congratulations
2010 Calendar Cards are
here!
Wisdom from a CIR
Member:
You know how when
kittens are born their
eyes are sealed closed
and it takes a while for
them to slowly peel
open other wise it could
really hurt them. Well
that is what this
recovery journey has
been like me, my eyes
are slowly being opened.
The light is a little
bright right now, I
would like to just keep
them closed, but once
the process starts it
starts.
Alcohol Recovery Update
11/26/2009
More than a quarter of drinkers in
England who exercise regularly do
so in an attempt to make up for
bingeing on alcohol, according to
a survey published on Thursday.
CrazyHandMe & Tracy!!
If it looks like CIR has “gone to the
dogs” maybe we need
more kitty photos!!
I had to take my finger off
my own self-destruct button. ON JOURNALING
I give it to God. I know
Not even God would do that When your head
it is not God(‘s) best,
for me. starts to worry,
these distortions I deal
And your mind
with. I know that I do not
just can't rest,
want them, yet for so
Put your thoughts
many years they have
down on paper,
been shameful part of me.
And let God
do the rest...
Eating Disorders Information
Researchers also are working to define the basic processes of the disorders, which
should help identify better treatments. For example, is anorexia the result of
skewed body image, self esteem problems, obsessive thoughts, compulsive
behavior, or a combination of these? Can it be predicted or identified as a risk
factor before drastic weight loss occurs, and therefore avoided?  
Obese people with binge-eating disorder often have coexisting psychological
illnesses including anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. In addition, links
between obesity and cardiovascular disease and hypertension are well
documented.
6
 RECOVERY EVENTS, COURSES &
CONFERENCES
City Vision College, Upcoming Online Courses - Spring Term - January 4, 2010

Enroll Now or Download Course Catalog.

Course 309 - Fund Raising Basics
Along with an introduction to the essential
elements of fundraising, direct mail, capital
campaigns, annual funds, etc., this course is
intended to help the student to develop a Biblical
perspective of development. This course counts
toward credit as a Certified Fund Raising
Executive (CFRE Certification). (3 credits)
Course 413 - Drugs of Abuse
How to identify the most commonly abused
drugs, recognize patterns of use and develop
approaches for treatment. (This course serves as
an overview of the chemicals that are commonly
being abused in our current society. It will
address the classes of drug and the effect of each
class of drug. It will discuss the common methods
of administration, the speed of transmission to
the brain and the neurological impact on the
brain. There will also be a brief look at the
treatment continuum of care.) (3 credits)
Course 416 - Mental Illness and Addiction
An overview on Counseling the Mentally Ill
Substance Abuser: clients who have both
chemical dependency and mental health issues.
Students will learn the most significant predictors
of treatment success, how to provide an empathic
and continuous treatment relationship, how to
disorders, but will also study psychotic, cognitive
disorders, and many others. Finally, students will
understand how to implement general treatment
strategies and tactics when working with the
dually diagnosed client as well as with families.
(3 credits )
Course 301 - History of Urban Missions
An introduction to the history of the urban
mission movement. The course begins with the
early efforts of evangelicals in the nineteenth
century and concludes with an up-to-date look at
urban missions today. (3 credits )
Course 308 - Food Services
An introduction to food service operations.
Topics include nutrition and menu planning,
principles of food procurement and purchase,
safe food handling and preparation, systems of
serving and food service equipment, sanitation
and health standards, budgeting, and cost
controls. Also includes a look at using volunteers
and clients in a nonprofit organization’s
operations. (3 credits)
Christians in Recovery® News
Anyone can Subscribe for Free

distinguish between the criteria of substance Make the CIR News possible.
abuse vs. substance dependency and more. Please Donate or Sponsor.
Students will also learn how to recognize the
diagnostic features of the more common mental
health disorders such as affective and anxiety

7
We welcome Jim A. to The Gabriel’s Editorial
staff this issue. We look forward to his regular
articles. And in Jim’s own words, “Prepare to
T ab le
bring a knife and fork.”
Jim’ s
abeling people is quite common in the
L professions, especially in medicine.  It is
not uncommon to hear a doctor saying
“How is that liver doing in 203?”  Or when
people prejudge others using such terms such as be unfair.  Isn't that a good enough reason to avoid
“He’s a looser”, or “She is a perfectionist”, or even ‘labeling’?
more alarming is the label that is given to describe
I wanted to express how regrettable it is that some
a person who is observed drinking – “He’s an
people are not willing to make the effort to
alcoholic”. 
improve their lives.  Of course that is their choice. 
The problem with labels is they are just shells that But I don't have to lower my self to name-calling. 
contain empty assumptions.  When we are taken in
Instead of writing about addictive behaviors, I
by a label, we are taken in by opinions and beliefs. 
could have (and should have) taken the positive
That is, we willingly accept statements without
and descriptive sentence as, "Unfortunately, Some
evidence that they are
people are making choices in
truth.  The assumptions
become stereotypes,
which soon become put-
WHAT DID their lives that are less than
productive”.  It is my
opinion that they will live
downs that are used by
people to justify their own
behavior.  Before you
YOU CALL ME! with regret, disappointment,
and sorrow."  
know it, we are engaged in name-calling or verbal After all, suppose a person is stuck in a rut and
abuse.  can't see him or her self getting out.  How would
he or she feel about being called a ‘slacker, do-
When speaking about others, there’s nothing
nothing, or loafer’?   Wouldn't they like to
wrong with using descriptions. Writers do it all the
be encouraged than to be put down? I apologize if
time.  A good description of a person might be,
what I have written has offended anyone. 
“He is tall, and good looking.”  But there is a big
Sometimes a little ‘tough love’ may be called for. 
difference between descriptions and labels.   For
But, never resorting to name calling. 
example, think about the difference between
saying "He is tall." and "He is a liberal."  ‘Tall’ is a Finally, not all assumptions are harmful, just
description because it is based on a fact; it’s just negative ones.  For instance, if we give everyone a
another way of saying "He is six feet, four inches."  grade of 100%, i.e., that everyone is good,
However, when we call a person a ‘liberal,’ its regardless of his or her behavior, we will find that
quite different, we empty the word of meaning, making an assumption was correct.  After all,
and it is a an unfair preference for or dislike of goodness is our nature; we are all inclined to be
something that you perceive to be true.  So, how good, and given the chance, we will prove to be so. 
can you describe you by a single term?   If you Romans 7:15-24.  Therefore, there is need that
would do this, you would be severely limiting your each one of us to get back to that 100%  mark that
self to a one-dimensional existence.  Which would God has given to us. Romans 8:5-6. 

8
 Christian Recovery Reading Room
The Heart of
Addiction
This book and
accompanying workbook
make the distinction
between what the world
terms a “disease" and
what Scripture
demonstrates is a life-
dominating sin nature problem. You will find biblical
Hope & Help Booklets tools to help you examine your heart’s motives at the
root of the addiction.
This beautiful series of booklets offer HOPE
and practical HELP to implement this hope. Clean TV A refreshing oasis for clean, original TV
Hope in the Bible is not wishful thinking. Hope shows and films. CleanTV avoids programming that
in the Bible is a sure promise of what will be. In
shows unreproved and immoral behavior including
some instances, the hope is sure because God is
rebellion, drug and excessive alcohol use, unnecessary
going to sovereignly bring it to pass. In other excessive violence, obscenities, occultist themes or
cases, it is God's promise that He will respond provocative clothing or behavior. Printer-friendly version of
to our obedience. 8.5 X 5.5 inches the article
'Cross Examine'
Husbands and Fathers
New TV show brings Biblical worldview to life!
Helps men define discipleship with their
families. Learn how to be a godly father and
head of your household. Authored by Mark FOR RECOVERY PROFESSIONALS
Shaw. CONTINUING EDUCATION

Hope and Help -Marriage

Gives hope by demonstrating that all marriage
problems are common, and can be overcome
by the power of the Holy Spirit. Authored by
Mark Shaw.

Hope and Help - Suffering

This will provide you with an understanding of
Helping You to Help Your Patients:
your suffering and give you tools to help
An Introduction to Medication
process your suffering through fundamentals for Alcohol Dependence
from Scripture. Authored by Howard Eyrich. Free online course for addiction
treatment counselors

9
 Poets Corner
One day I woke up and asked I AM A CHRISTIAN
What happened?
When I say that 'I am a Christian', I
I reached out for your hand and
am not shouting that 'I am clean living.
Was so disappointed when I opened my eyes
When there in my hand was?  I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm
Well I won't describe it, other than to say found and forgiven.'
What happened to the warmth I used to know
I never thought this could make me cry When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't
It used to be so special what I did speak of this with pride.
What happened?
I'm confessing that I stumble and need
Now things have changed, have fallen apart Christ to be my guide.
I don't recognize anything. Why do I feel so sad
What happened When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not
Don't tell me I need more time trying to be strong.
I've heard that more than once I'm professing that I'm weak and need
And I'm tired of being hurt
His strength to carry on.
And feeling sad
Some day I will know the answer When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not
And what Happened will be answered bragging of success.
And I can see something more than asking
What happened? –Jim Aquila I'm admitting I have failed and need
God to clean my mess.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not
! Beyond the Solstice claiming to be perfect.
! by Roadrunner My flaws are far too visible, but God
Beyond the solstice lies a darkened day, believes I am worth it.
A land so bright 'tis darkness to our eyes,
Glaringly absent from night's hustling ways, When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel
Unplumbed by measures mortals exercise. the sting of pain..
A land alluded by prophets of old, I have my share of heartaches, so I call
Its sands eluted before earth appeared, upon His name.
Its power saluted in stories told,
Eluding the wisdom of kings, who jeered. When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not
But portals persist, at least this is thought, holier than thou,
Where darkness gives way as our bleak world's dimmed, I'm just a simple sinner who received
Where deep in the reaches of entrance sought God's good grace, somehow!
Our cave opens up and is splendor rimmed.
submitted by Ruth
'Tis told that the travelers walking thus
Return with a step that is light, robust.

"When faith opens out into a deep spiritual understanding and advances beyond the range of
concepts into a darkness which can only be enlightened by the fire of love, man truly begins to know
God in the only way that can satisfy his soul."
Thomas Merton - "The Ascent to Truth" - p. 12

10
 Healthy Attitudes
By James Aquila
Words of Life, Words of Death. A timely essay as The first
we begin the a 2010 new year and a new decade. and most
important
From the common sense point of view, your resolution
mind and heart refers to an inner dialog of self- we can
talk between the heart and mind.  This inner make in the coming year is to change our self;
dialog takes place parallel to whatever behavior the way we think and to change our behavior to
you maybe engaging in at the moment.  that of a caring and loving person.  This will take
This is the time of year when, with all good endless hours of conscious effort on our part.  It
intentions, we resolve to do this or that, hoping requires that we Stop doing what we have done
above hope that those pounds will magically and Start behaving in a productive and healthy
melt away; those words of resolve can include manner. 
such things as increasing your exercise routine, If you are going to make a New Yearʼs
but you know secretly that you didnʼt have any resolution, what ever it is, it must be a
routine to begin with.  This mental gymnastics resolution that comes into reality by your efforts
sort of reminds me of what James 1:2-5 is trying to make it a habit that whatever it is will
to tell us.  If you want to know just ask God.  someday become a productive way of living. 
New Yearʼs resolutions can and often do cause
an individual to make promises that he or she TOOLS THAT
will never keep.  It appears that voicing these
resolutions is another way of saying “See, I tried MAKE A DIFFERENCE
but couldnʼt do it because of _________”.  You Worried about your first day of recovery?
can fill in the blank.  Day One: My First 24 Hours in Recovery
Read Matthew 5:43-48.  These verses contain (Takes a moment to download)
perhaps the most startling statement Christ View or Print out back-to-back for tri-fold
made.  Jesus does not mean that we resolve to Journaling
like everyone, however, we must resolve to act
in goodwill toward those we do not like as well Journaling software can help you to
as those we do.  This seems like a better get focused, organize your thoughts
resolution that if carried out will result in drawing and empower your recovery.
closer to God.
Paul writes in Romans 5:12-14, that a major Thoughts, Scriptures & Prayers
reason why this world is the way it is because Comprehensive collection of
death hangs on every word coming out of our CIR's Daily Thoughts.
mouth.  We must not excuse ourselves by
saying we have just been caught up in the effect Bible Aid
of time past, but we must admit that we have
kept our behaviorsʼ flame burning.  It is said that Quickly and easily get the
“If you keep doing the same things again and strength and guidance you
again, while expecting different results will make need from the Bible. No
you crazy!”  Do you believe this?  It is best that longer be forced to fumble
you do.  through your Bible looking for "just the right verse.

11
Is My Depression SAD?
My doctor began to flip through his notes. “You came in
last year on this date with severe depression” He flipped
more... “and the year before the very same date”!
I have been diagnosed with
depression in one form or
another for years. At first
nothing worked. No medicine
was really effective. Then when I
quit drinking, miraculously I quit
having to go to the hospital twice
a year with depression, suicide
attempts, all kinds of acting out.
That was a miracle in itself. But,
there was just this occasional
severe depression I couldn’t
shake. I’ve been in therapy for
years and knew when to go to
my psychiatrist myself instead of
being “carried” there by a loving
friend or ambulance driver.
The year 1993 was no different.
I felt really lousy. The world was
dark. There was no life, no hope
in it anywhere for me. I had
trouble just caring enough to go
to work. So I came to my trusted
doctor and told him, “You have
to check me in. I’m just awfully
depressed.”
He nodded understandingly and
began to flip through his notes
from my visits. He said, “You
came in last year on this date
with severe depression.”
He flipped back more.
“And the year before that
on Oct. 8th, this very same day!”
Suddenly an odd light appeared
on his face. “I think you might
have something called Seasonal
Affective Disorder or SADS for
short. Let’s try you on light
therapy and see if it’s true.
So he sent me to the local sleep
lab in our hospital that rented
out light therapy lights for a
small fee/week. I began sitting
under this bright light in the
mornings before work while I
drank my coffee. While it was
intense (has to be) it wasn’t
painful or disturbing. In fact after
the third day, I experienced a
wonderful feeling of my eyes
opening “inside my brain” after
the first 10 minutes of light
therapy. That’s the only way I
can describe it. Like my brain
was waking up inside. And after
only a few weeks, my depression
had totally disappeared.
Coincidence you say? Well two
things have convinced me
otherwise. First is that I can time
12
it to the day... on October 8th
give or take a day or two I go
into this depressive slump that I
can not overcome myself. BUT if
I begin sitting under my light
box by the beginning of
September it’s just a blip on the
radar or (this year) not there at
all. Gone. And my Winter Blues
aren’t much different than any
other part of the year. Sure I still
take an antidepressant for my
depression and meds for bipolar,
but the light box makes my days
so much better. I wake up easily.
This year I even bought one of
the new, small versions and can
take it with me when I travel.
I want to emphasize that I am
not a professional and anything I
say here is just my own
experience and belief. There’s
lots of things to read on the net
about this disorder. Some of the
symptoms are:
• Afternoon slumps with
decreased energy and
concentration
Continued on next page
• Carbohydrate cravings
• Decreased interest in work or
other activities
• Depression that starts in fall or
winter
• Increased appetite with weight
gain
• Increased sleep and excessive
daytime sleepiness
• Lack of energy
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic
movement
• Social withdrawal
Even though the reference I saw
says that most people with the
"winter blahs" or "cabin fever"
do not have SAD, another
source says that 1.5-9% of
people in the U.S. have SAD and
that in countries in Arctic
latitudes such as Finland, the
incidence is 9.5%.
The cause of SAD is not known,
but it is thought to be related to
numerous factors, including:
• Ambient light
• Body temperature
• Hormone regulation
Wikipedia also says that overcast,
cloudy days can make the SADs
depression worse and I can
certainly attest to that. I need my
light box more often on wintry,
cloudy days than when the sun is
You can get
CIR Brochures
for free
for your church or
recovery group.
ClaraT
shining. I’m convinced that in
Winter my working in a room
without windows, often getting
to work before the sun is up and
going home after dark, has
added to the SADs symptoms.
There is a lot more information
to be found on the net including
an interesting theory about how
Melatonin controls our sleep/
wake cycles and in people with
SAD these cycles may actually
be “set back” a couple of hours
such that waking time is 9 AM
instead of the normal 7 AM.
I want to emphasize that I’m not
an expert and sharing only my
own experience, strength and
hope here. Understanding more
about my seasonal depression
and how it could be treated has
made a difference in my life.
While I’m not saying your
depression is SADS.-- only you
and your doctor have the
experience to tell you about your
own body and self. But it’s
certainly worth looking into and
maybe even a trial period on
light therapy. For more
information see the Wiki article
on SAD which has a lot more
references at the end.
https://health.google.com/health/ref/
Seasonal+affective+disorder
Thanks for letting me share,
Join us: Click Here
13
MORE FOR
MEMBERS
•
Read the Bible from
Cover to Cover this Year
Why Read the Bible through?
Many know more about magazines
and novels--than what God has written!
Many will read a novel from the
beginning to the end, and what have
you got? A head full of froth when you
are done! But you cannot read the
Bible -- that solid, lasting, substantial,
and satisfying food goes uneaten,
locked up in the cupboard of neglect --
while anything that man writes, a best-
seller of the day -- you greedily devour!
~ J. R. Miller
Get Your 2010 Reading Plan Today!
Do You Feel Isolated Online
Because You Can't Type Well?
Several of our members use
Dragon Naturally Speaking
All you do is speak into your
microphone and the software does all
the typing! It really works great, even if
you have a speech impediment.
✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞
Reach your faith-based market and
support the ministry of CIR at the
same time. The CIR Website has over
80,000 unique Web site visitors & half
a million page views every month,
including over 7,000 subscribe to daily,
monthly and quarterly publications,
Learn more about being a
Page or Banner Sponsor
✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞
Looking for a
Recovery Buddy or Sponsor?
Ladies Click Here || Men Click Here
Latest Meeting Schedule
Not a CIR member yet?
Learn the Benefits of Membership
 This ‘N That
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Where Did the 12 Steps Come
From?
Why do people betray me
when I tell them my secrets?
I Confess My Sins. Why Don't
They Go Away?
HELP FOR RECOVERY
New at CIR each day Mon-Fri:
Helpful Article and Blog
Men Who Are Abused by
Women
Many men are mentally, physically
and/or spiritually abused
by women. Learn the signs
of this abuse and what to
do about it.
Developing Biblical
Financial Skills
Heaven in the Midst of
Crushing Tragedy
Teen Weight-loss help: Gain control
Smoking: of emotional eating
How to Help Stress, anger & other emotions can
Your Teen trigger overeating. Tips to regain
Quit control of your eating & get your
Teens who weight-loss efforts back on track.
smoke are Tell a Friend about CIR and give
likely to turn them a FREE Membership too!
into adults who
smoke -- but it DID YOU KNOW?
doesn't have to turn out that way.
Potent Marijuana is Tied to
Here's help.
Psychosis Risk
Marijuana bred to contain high
Energy density and weight
levels of THC could raise the risk of
loss: Feel full on fewer calories
developing psychosis, according to
You can eat more and still lose
researchers from the U.K.
weight. The key is eating foods that
are high in volume and relatively
FOR RECOVERY
low in calories.
PROFESSIONALS
Hair Tests Yield More Positive
Results for Drug Use than
Urine Tests
Drug tests that use hair samples
turn up positive for cocaine and
What the methamphetamine 10 times more
Church Can Learn from frequently than urine-based drug
tests.
Alcoholics Anonymous
14
If you are a supporting member of CIR we HBO’s ADDICTION SERIES
will send you a FREE Copy of "The Good
Book and The Big Book" !!! An Interview with Mark Same Genes at Play in
M. Wallenberg, MD Marijuana Use, Alcohol
The most popular study of
A.A.'s roots in the Bible. A.A. Dr. Willenbring discusses the Dependence
co-founder Dr. Bob had often different factors that can lead
The environmental factors
stated during his lifetime that to alcoholism, including that contribute to marijuana
the basic ideas of A.A. were genetics and psychiatric use and alcohol dependence
taken from their study of the disorders. differ significantly, but similar
Bible. He said that the answers Watch the film now. genes are involved in
to their problems were in the influencing people to drink
Good Book (as he called the A Mother's Desperation and use marijuana, according
Bible). This book explores
See the story of one mother's to researchers.
every observable source and
attempt to rescue her
appearance of Bible ideas in the Big Book (which Bill
Wilson wrote four years after A.A. was founded). daughter from her heroin
Great resource for those who believe in God, addiction.
understand the importance of the Bible, diligently
seek to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ in the
God's Boxes
march to sobriety and a life of love of service
thereafter. Click Here to Order I have in my hands two
boxes
Which God gave me to

A Last Word On the Steps

hold.
He said, "Put all your
sorrows in the black box,
with comments from the Joe & Charlie Big Book Study And all your joys in the gold."

Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we
know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to
you and to us . Ask Him in your morning meditation
what yo u can do each day for the man who is still sick.
The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But
obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got.
See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and
great events will come to pass for you and countless
others. This is the Great Fact for us.
Abandon yourself to God as you understand God.
(We did that in Steps 1, 2 and 3.)
Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows.
(We did that in Steps 4, 5, 6 and 7.)
Clear away the wreckage of your past.
(We did that in Steps 8 and 9.)
Give freely of what you find and join us.
(We do that in Steps 10, 11 and 12.)
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored.
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why,
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
"My child, they're all here with me."
I asked God, why He gave me the boxes,
Why the gold, and the black with the hole?
"My child, the gold is for you to count your
blessings,
The black is for you to let go."

We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and If you would like directions to make your own “God
you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Box” see this thread on the Discussion Boards:
Happy Destiny. “Do You Have A God Box?”

15