By no means is the thought unique to alcoholism and addiction, but I certainly succumbed to a “lost cause” mentality. “What’s the use,” I would say contemplating sobriety, “I can’t even perform the most basic of tasks without having a drink.” Though a little embarrassed to admit it, even in recovery I have often surrendered to thought that helping others with addiction was quixotic because of the utter enormity and futility of the task.
It is easy to fall prey to this type of thinking; been there and done that as an alcoholic, in recovery and dealing with addicts and alcoholics, and now in the work I do with the substance abuse task force. But recovery has taught me that nothing happens without taking that initial first step, even if it is a very small one. With each following step the way becomes easier and the tasks become more manageable. Along this same line, a small step made by many can move mountains, and this will be the purpose of the new TDA blogroll.
“Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do a little” ~Edmund Burke
Click “Read more” to continue…
I plan to send out a request to my fellow recovery bloggers and interested parties to take part in a link exchange program designed not to promote ourselves, but instead as an advocacy league. All I am asking for is an e-mail, and a promise to consider sending a message to your representatives or posting a blog on topics of great interest or concern to the recovery community. It’s only asking a little, and by working together we can make a difference each in our own little way. I am not asking you to dress up like a recovery superhero (although you may want to try it, these tights are super-cool), but we just might be able accomplish some really super things.
If I do not contact you about participation, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Update: It has been suggested that I should add a primary link that explains the “League of Advocacy” – so this I will do and to make it fun, anyone who wants to send in their own superhero or appropriate advocacy image will be showcased on the permanent page.
The list will continue to grow in alphabetical order:
A blog on autism, parenting, sex addiction, and anything in between — MPJ covers all topics but I consider her a queen of recovery. Good links, better writing, and a great advocate of her cause.
Brandywine Counseling is a non-profit substance abuse treatment center, the largest provider of outpatient addiction services in Delaware. But more than that, this is a group that really cares while setting the bar for substance abuse advocacy with their innovative work in the field.
A self described 44 year old ex-con and recovering addict/alcoholic just recently released from prison, Frankie is also the epitome of a recovery advocate with the tools of his trade being his bold truthfulness and blunt honesty.
An old favorite with a new look, the IVLeaguer (Just Another Addict) of this blog is active even on the national scene. While the blog is private right now, I have from good sources it will be public soon.
A writer, mother, and sculptor… and the wife of a recovering heroin addict. Mantramine is trying to practice what she preaches, and is sharing the learning process as she goes.
Carol, founder of the MethadoneSupport.org, is a superhero in the world of methadone advocacy and a friend to all of us in recovery. Please take the time to visit her site, it has an amazing amount of information available and a great forum on medically assisted recovery.
Definitely not a miracle cure, but Suboxone can be an important tool in medically assisted recovery. Look here for info, answers, and discussion on how to make this an effective part of a recovery program.
Not very hard to figure out what TJW is all about, a blogger’s blogger The Junky’s Wife writes in detail about life with a heroin addict. A gutsy bite of reality, TJW tells the world that they are not alone in dealing with the addiction of a loved one.
My good friend Erin over at What WinnersDo has been with me almost since the inception of TDA, she is a good writer and more importantly a very active advocate herself. Take a look at The Suboxone Help Spot to see some of the good work she is doing.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds great Gavin. I’d love to be a part of the League of Advocacy. As you might know, you are also in my blogroll called, “Better than mine blogs.” I have a sitemeter which informs me of all of my hits and the referring pages and I get a lot of hits from people who are viewing your site first. Thank you.
Take care,
Frankiecon
I tried to email this to you but got a return to sender thing
for the compliment and for joining the league. Welcome aboard.
An advocacy league is a great idea and we at Brandywine would be thrilled to be involved. Also looking forward to your upgraded site. Perhaps I can get your advice sometime on technical improvements for my own blog?
I am always impressed at the amount of work BW does up there, just give me a shout anytime you would like to talk.
Gavin….I’m going to have to make a draft letter thanking you….and then I can just copy and paste it here every other day, lol! Thanks so very much for your kind words and continued support…..it means more than I can put into words!
Smooooooch…….Carol
thank you.
You really are the best! Thank you so much.
“”even in recovery I have often surrendered to thought that helping others with addiction was quixotic because of the utter enormity and futility of the task.”"”
I fight this exact feeling each day lately. I get completely overwhelmed by the task at hand! Not to mention it seems IMPOSSIBLE to break the problems of advocacy down into little pieces! Every problem seems to be THE most important problem!
don’t let me forget to update this!