[SOS-Boston] Update, some things about meeting format

["Neal ." <sosbbbos gmail com>]

Hi everyone,

I'm continuing my fall rush, to try and get the word out and get people interested in the meetings.  Last week I made calls to Fenway Health, and dropped flyers off at a couple of offices at Brigham & Women's.  I'll probably head down to that area again, and reach out to other health providers and treatment/detox centers in the area.  A couple of people who have come to meetings have also agreed to do some things to get the ball rolling.  

So far, I haven't had much success with attendance.  Hopefully things will pick up at students here at NU (and faculty/staff) learn about the meetings.  It occurred to me that it might be helpful (or maybe not, ha) if you knew the basic ideas I had about the meetings.  Here goes, in handy bullet form (like many people, I stole much of this from the web):

• Only important thing:  sobriety.  Complete abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.  There is no moderation.  We welcome everyone, without distinction based on “drug of choice”
• Meetings conducted in a secular way, we don’t use prayer or talk about religion; your religion or lack of it is your private business
• We rely on our individual own efforts; the group is designed to help you find what you need to get and stay clean and sober.  It’s all about you.  Take responsibility.
• Everything said at this meeting is confidential, and stays in the room.  You may disclose to your friends or family that you participated, but you can’t disclose who else was present, or what they said
• If you are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs during the meeting, please remain silent.  You may speak with members afterward.
• Discussion is encouraged throughout the meeting.  Please ask questions and provide positive, supportive feedback.  Positive experiences are welcome.  Don’t be afraid to laugh.
• There are different groups representing different secular approaches to recovery (SOS, Lifering, SMART).  At this meeting, we will borrow from each, but need to find out what works best for us, and that will depend on the group
• This group is going to contain people of all backgrounds and demographics.  Addiction doesn’t follow a pattern, it can’t be predicted.  Recovery doesn’t follow a set path, it can’t be prescribed, it can’t be broken down into steps.
• Our members are going to be at different stages in their addiction or recovery, each is going to have different needs and different things to offer.  Keep your ears and mind open.
• Please keep the war stories to a minimum
• No attacks on other members, no in-your-face confrontation, no unsolicited advice, no politics or religion, no trashing of other recovery approaches.  Keep it civil, keep it positive.
• Seek out resources to help you find the tools you need (this group is just one resource)
• You don’t need to label yourself an “addict” or “alcoholic” to participate
• We don't pass a basket.  After you have been clean and sober for 1 year, I’ll accept contributions; I’ll give it away to charity or maybe get some coffee.

Format of the meeting:

1.  How was your week?
    What’s going in your recovery the past week?  How did you succeed, how did you fail, why?  What was helpful, what was not?
                -  Focus on current events

2. Topical discussion (if time/interest)

·    Cravings & Triggers
·    Daily Program
·    Trust – Using it and re-building it
·    Dreams About Using
·    Setting Goals
·    How to Handle New Free Time
·    Expectations
·    Communication
·    etc etc

3    Carry-over (previous issue/conversation that needed followup)


These are just ideas...I make no claim to be an expert here.

Please email with thoughts, comments, feedback....

--Neal