Chemically Dependent Anonymous

Anonymous

Description

Written by the Fellowship of Chemically Dependent Anonymous to share its history, philosophical underpinnings and program with others in our own book. We have based our program on one proven successful for over half a century by Alcoholics Anonymous in helping alcoholics find the road to recovery and a new way of life. As the focus of our program, we have adapted A.A.'s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, changing them only as they refer to chemical dependency in its entirety rather than alcohol abuse alone. We are grateful to A.A. for pointing the way for us as it has for many other anonymous groups.

Sujets

• Substance Abuse
• Self-help
• Addictions

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 05 juin 2017
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781456628567
• Langue: English

Extrait

CHEMICALLY DEPENDENT ANONYMOUS

 
 
Copyright © 1990 by
CDA COMMUNICATIONS, INC. GENERAL SERVICES OFFICE
All rights reserved.
 
Published in eBook format by CDA Communications, Inc.
Converted by http://www.eBookIt.com
 
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-2856-7
 
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions are reprinted and adapted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
 
Permission to reprint and adapt the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions does not mean that A.A. has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication or that A.A. agrees with the views expressed herein. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism. Use of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions in connection with programs and activities that are patterned after A.A. but which address other problems does not imply otherwise.
 
The first and last paragraphs of Chapter 6, CDA’s Twelve Steps, are reprinted and adapted with permission of Narcotics Anonymous World Service, Inc.
 
CDA FOR THE NEWCOMER is copyrighted
© by CDA Communications, Inc.
 
Adaptation of the last paragraph of the introduction to the questions, the first ten questions and the final paragraph of Chapter 11 are reprinted here with permission. CDA’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions are also reprinted here with permission.
 
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 90-81598
 
ISBN 978-0-9778506-2-4
 
First Printing 1990
Second Printing 1997
Third Printing 2002
Fourth Printing 2007 Revised Fifth Printing 2012
(revised “The Fellowship,” “Why CDA,” “The CDA Gifts”) Printed in the United States of America
Sixth Printing 2016

CHEMICALLY DEPENDENT ANONYMOUS
 
 

 
 
CDA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
 
GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE
P.O. Box 423
Severna Park, MD 21146-0423
1-888-CDA-HOPE
Foreword
This is the first attempt of the Fellowship of Chemically Dependent Anonymous to share its history, philosophical underpinnings and program with others in our own book. We have based our program on one proven successful for over half a century by Alcoholics Anonymous in helping alcoholics find the road to recovery and a new way of life. As the focus of our program, we have adapted A.A.’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, changing them only as they refer to chemical dependency in its entirety rather than alcohol abuse alone. We are grateful to A.A. for pointing the way for us as it has for many other anonymous groups.
The CDA First Edition Committee consisting of four members of the Fellowship first met in May 1986 at Thanksgiving Farm in Harwood, Maryland to discuss the possibility of publishing a book for CDA. We delegated various committees such as the Steps Committee, the Traditions Committee and the H.O.W. Committee to begin work on enlarging upon the fundamental principles of our program. We found a lawyer to advise us on the legalities connected with our literary endeavor.
We then made several announcements to the general membership over a period of three years requesting personal story contributions to the book. We found editors who compiled our materials and prepared it for publication. We incorporated our publishing division, CDA COMMUNICATIONS, INC., General Service Office, in October 1989. At long last, our dreams have come to fruition as we present Chemically Dependent Anonymous to the world.
The First Edition Committee wishes to thank all the individuals and committees who generously contributed their time and ideas and those who gathered or submitted material for this volume. Special thanks go to the 23 courageous recovering men and women who have been willing to share their personal stories about their addictions, their attempts at recovery and their successes in combating many varieties of substance abuse. The stories have been kept as close to their exact words as possible. Only those who have been there can so eloquently explain how they have been able to rebuild their lives. These CDA members want to give hope to others that they too may find freedom from their addictions through CDA’s own time-tested program of recovery.
The CDA First Edition Committee dedicates this book to you, the reader, with our sincere wishes that what you find herein will help you or those you are helping discover the new life of health, sanity and sobriety that CDA has to offer. May God (as you understand Him) guide you on your way.
Acknowledgement
We are grateful to those in the mental health field, members of other anonymous organizations, business people, the clergy and the public in general for their support and recognition of our efforts to continue carrying our message of hope for recovery to others.
Testimonials
SLIGO CREEK PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
1420 Woodman Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20902
 
Dear CDA Members,
 
I am very pleased that the Chemically Dependent Anonymous (CDA) meetings are now available to younger teenage clients and other young-adult residents of Montgomery County, Maryland, and that they are encouraged, confronted and supported by others of this peer group in their efforts to become free of chemicals. I know that the therapists of this and other private practices, as well as public services for adolescent day treatment, family therapy and adult addictions, have been deeply inspired by the supportive work of CDA. The attendance of voluntary and mandatory clients and the high volume of participation at these meetings speak very well for the dedication and sincerity of involvement by their leaders. The resulting changes in attitude, lifestyle and school grades of CDA adolescents and young adults have been very encouraging.
Thank you for your continued efforts in the collaborative support of private and public programs here in Montgomery County. I wish continued success to your Fellowship in its endeavors to provide a program for those who seek recovery from drug and alcohol dependence. I strongly endorse your twelve-step method as a viable process for achieving recovery from substance abuse.
 
Sincerely,
 
Thomas W. Summers, Ph.D. Psychologist, Clinical Director
 
 
To Whom It May Concern:
Years ago, my life was utterly hopeless because of a drinking problem. Then I got “trapped” into attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and gradually started working the Program. That saved my life and showed me a way to personal freedom. Indeed, I have seen the miracle of A.A. work for countless others in our country and around the world.
Along with A.A.'s success has come a profound change in the public's attitude. People now recognize alcoholism, once thought to be a moral deficiency, as a health problem. This conversion is having a beneficial effect on the prospects for still-suffering alcoholics.
Alcoholics can help other alcoholics because they understand each other and are unified by their common problem. This wholeness however has suffered in recent years because of changes in society and the way drugs are used today. Many newcomers to A.A. now have other drug problems along with their alcoholism and a small number are not alcoholics at all.
This inconsistency has been lessened in our area of the country because of the influence of Chemically Dependent Anonymous, an organization that began in Annapolis, Maryland in 1980. CDA is open to anyone who is dependent on mind-altering chemicals of any sort. Although not allied with A.A., CDA closely follows the model provided by Alcoholics Anonymous. Having both programs available, newcomers can decide whether they properly belong in CDA, A.A. or both. And, as a result, both fellowships have become healthier and more complete.
I was initially attracted to CDA because a family member had recovered from cocaine addiction by participating in that program. I started attending CDA meetings too and I now consider myself eligible for membership because of my chemical dependency to alcohol.
I believe that in working together (though still independently), CDA and A.A. will strengthen both fellowships and offer greater hope and opportunity for recovery to those enslaved by drugs. Eventually, the myths and hysteria about drug addiction will slip away and the public will become more understanding and supportive. And I think that in the 21 st Century, Chemically Dependent Anonymous will do for the drug addict what A.A. has done for the alcoholic in the 20 th Century.
 
Bob R. (an active member of A.A. for over 30 years)
 
 
To Whom It May Concern:
 
In 1981, I had the good fortune of meeting a young man who was a member of CDA. After many conversations and interviews, and being fully aware of his background as a chemical dependent, I offered him a contract as a New York Life Sales Representative. To this day, I am very glad that I made that decision. Not only has this employee become a strong force and successful sales representative in my office, but he is also one of the top agents in the entire company.
In the years I have known him, I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with many others who are also part of the CDA Program. Some of these people we have hired and some we’ve rejected from a job application standpoint. However, I have been very impressed with the personal programs each one of these individuals has established. Although some of them were unable to become successful as sales representatives with New York Life, I think that everyone who departed the company left with a better understanding of sales and went on to be successful in other fields.
Through CDA, these people have been able to establish new lives for themselves with a commitment not often found in others. Until seven years ago, I had no idea of the impact CDA had on its members, but I can assure you I am most impressed. Today, I do not hesitate to talk to any members of CDA who have established programs of their own.
 
Sincerely,
James E. Adkins, CLU, ChFC General Manager
 
 
My Dear Friends,
 
By the grace of God and through His gift to me, the blessed Fellowship of Alcoholics Anon