LifeRing Secular Recovery is a non-12 Step addiction healing program that stresses a non-spiritual technique to healing. Keep in mind that LifeRing is not anti-religion nor is it anti-spiritual. LifeRing does not bring those elements of life in their approach to addiction recovery.
LifeRing is not exclusionary and some members use other recovery techniques. Naturally, you most likely would not see a LifeRing Secular Recovery member going to Celebrate Recovery, which is a Christian exclusionist method. “Exclusionist” implies that the method views that there is only one ideal way to work their program. LifeRing can be used by 12 Step members as an accessory to care, as LifeRing does not reject any type of Higher Power; it does, nevertheless motivate individuals to believe on their own and discover new, adaptive methods of coping to destroy thought and psychological distortions.
History
LifeRing was established by LifeRing Press in 1997, a publishing business, as a projection from the northern California branch of Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS). Martin Nicolaus was the creator and CEO in 1997, a position he held till 2010 when Craig Whalley took control as president. The LifeRing service center lies in Oakland, California and the executive director (as at November 2016) is Robert Stump. In 1999, following a meeting of regional representatives, ended up being LifeRing Secular Recovery, and in 2001 it held its very first constitutional congress. The company holds a yearly congress each year where board members are chosen. LifeRing is non-profit making and raises all its funds from the sale of books and products, collections at meetings and by contributions; although staying broadly comparable in outlook, LifeRing is not associated with SOS. Speakers at expert meetings have been depicted by LifeRing companies like, The American Psychological Association, the Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), Numerous Pathways of Recovery Meeting (2015), and FtBConscience 2 (2014). In Emeryville, California the success rate of LifeRing was advised by the Alcohol Research Group, following many applications to fund over a period of time in 2016. The report discovered that members of LifeRing announced greater levels of total satisfaction and cohesion compared to the twelve-step individuals, regardless of fewer levels of participation at face to face meetings, and concluded that there is a genuine need for including the LifeRing method into existing addiction treatment networks. More research studies are required in order for it to be included into an expert scientific setting, as the majority of the information offered prior to the 2016 research study was anecdotal in nature. In the mid-1990s, prominent cases held that needing people who have actually been mandated go through drug or alcohol rehab and go to a program with spiritual material is impermissible browbeating under the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution, although nonreligious options are required. As a result, it has actually been acknowledged that there is a pressing need for professional recognition of secular groups such as SMART and LifeRing which might encourage them to become more traditional and prevalent.
Approach
LifeRing posits that each addict has a Sober Self and an Addict Self. This concept has been discussed and approved amongst various 12 Step groups. LifeRing supports principle of the 3 Ss:
1. Sobriety: Sobriety implies outright abstinence. This is not a hard-reduction model. The only addicting substance that can be taken remains in medical circumstances under the care of a medical professional, over a short-term, and is normally connected with discomfort due to surgical treatment or medical treatment.
2. Secularity: LifeRing concentrates on the noticeable elements of addiction. That is, religious beliefs and spirituality are not discussed in meetings; it’s great if an individual holds those principles or beliefs, however, they are ruled out as part of the LifeRing system of healing. For individuals who think they should have a support system where spirituality is fair game for discussion, or a vital part of a support group inside a program, a 12 Step program might be the better option for that problem. Nevertheless, going to a 12 Step group is not a barrier to participating in LifeRing groups.
3.Self-Help: Self-Help in LifeRing is built around the concept that the addict does have within himself or herself the means to get into recovery and remain in recovery without turn to a higher power. It counts on meetings where members can sound out their issues and experiences and get feedback from other members. Each member dedicates to abstinence, however, builds their own healing program with the help of a group. The group helps, although there is no universal plan. The 12 Steps for instance, has the 12 Steps but are not feasible.
LifeRing thinks that each person with assistance and support can get themselves back on track and keep sobriety.
Being the Protagonist of Your Own Recovery
In LifeRing, the recovering individual– that incredible, valuable, capable person– is thought to be the lead character of their own recovery. We define abstinence from alcohol and drugs as a useful, achievable job and encourage each person to take this job into their own hands and with effort and determination, change around their life.
Many people start their recovery journey following a long, uncomfortable battle between their sober and addicted selves. That internal battle, a series of fights, truly, raves on unabated until the sober side gets a definitive supremacy of force and starts winning those fights, and ultimately the war.
The majority of people start their recovery journey rather fortunate to still be alive. They might have accomplished and achieved many things while in the throes of active addiction, but for many, merely surviving and having the ability to start a recovery journey at all is an accomplishment of amazing magnitude.
In LifeRing, they believe that people can and need to learn how to stop ingesting addicting substances prior to fretting exactly what to call themselves, or wrestling with their religious or spiritual beliefs. In LifeRing we are joined by the practice of a behavior which is abstinence. That we lived long enough to start the healing journey at all needs to be more likely accorded more awe and regard than is our social norm.
The concept of starting one’s healing journey by concentrating on imperfections, shortages, and lost chances appear counterproductive. In LifeRing, we encourage individuals to focus, instead, on cutting their losses, concentrating on their assets, and progressing with their lives. Yes, there might be some messes to clean up, and people in recovery might need to offset wasted time, however, are we so different from the majority of mankind? What is different about those people in recovery, is that our internal addicting substance control systems are stressed out and gone.
Apart from that, we’re basically a normal person. And all people need connection. In LifeRing, we motivate conversational engagement, and create focused, sober, purposeful connections with others. In such an environment, the sober self, with all its potentialities, can appear in a stable, flexible manner.
What To Expect At A Meeting?
Going to a group meeting can be particularly intimidating for the first time, particularly for a person who is looking to overcome an addiction. An addiction typically enforces a sense of seclusion and solitude on an individual, subjecting them to unfavorable feelings that might make it tough for them to have adequate confidence to open up with other individuals.
Do not fear. We will not say this will be simple, nevertheless, the people associated with LifeRing look to conjure an atmosphere of honest approval and thoughtful assistance, inviting every newcomer to a meeting as if they are a friend returning.
Two distinguishing characteristics of LifeRing meetings is firstly, that they do not require that an individual declare that they are an alcoholic or an addict, simply that they look to become clean and sober. On this note, in order to get involved at meetings, they should be clean and sober at the time. Secondly, they do not make use of sponsors, considering that “In LifeRing we each exercise individual programs”; rather they encourage member interaction by offering individuals’ contact information.
Usually at meetings individuals sit in a circle, giving each person the chance to make eye contact with each member of the meeting. Meetings are facilitated in and opened by an individual called “convenors,” who starts group participation, interaction, and reflection by asking “How was your week?” What follows is a casual conversation of the individual’s week, and may entail their battles, accomplishments, or other little details that they find pertinent to their recovery.
These meetings are relaxed, encouraging a stimulating sense of sociability and relationship, which is described as “cross-talk.” In fact, LifeRing explains their sessions, specifying “the meetings atmosphere becomes almost like a living-room filled with sober friends having a relaxed, and total free discussion. Laughter is a typical component.” Members are encouraged to connect with each other, establishing a continuous circulation of feedback and remarks as others share their stories. LifeRing recommends that individuals connect and better understands others, create responsibility, and establish their own journeys by asking concerns as they come, even within the continuous discussions of these group sessions.
LifeRing offers a few terms on these conversations, nevertheless, they do keep in mind specific elements that they want an individual roaming from within their time to speak.
– Stay favorable and considerate
– Not involving faith or politics
-” No attack therapy or fighting.”
– Do not use suggestions unsolicited
– Do not demean or deteriorate other’s recovery methods
– They prevent “drunkalogues,” implying any extensive accounts of previous alcohol or substance abuse
LifeRing’s success is because of the comfortable and interesting nature, thusly, they do whatever they can to propagate their environment.
Just like many other group support programs, LifeRing is confidential. They do understand that it is necessary to have responsibility, help, and encouragement beyond the world of meetings. Be sure to keep in mind that you can show your friends how you get involved, however, they do specify that you do not share names.
As meetings close, the group generally praises, acknowledging everybody’s efforts for remaining clean and sober. If you’re interested in discovering a live LifeRing meeting, we can guide you and help you get the information you need.
Let Us Help Connect You To Support
If you’re feeling lost or overcome with a sense of seclusion from your addiction, and desire the outreach and help of a group meeting like LifeRing Secular Recovery, please do not think twice to reach out to us. At The Recover, we can offer you information and resources that can get you connected and help you find the best path to sobriety for you or your loved one. Contact us today.
