Submitted by InTheRooms on April 29, 2010

We recently asked our friends on our Facebook page to share with us their experience, strength, and hope about giving advice to the newcomer.

Here are some of their comments:

Deborah B: That no matter what happens good or bad you never have to use again EVER.

Sally C: Amen no relationships!!!!!!!!! Keep comin back!!Change people places and things!!!

Kristy T: keep coming back…..bet that one hasn’t been said before….so simple, so true

Mari B: go to meetings every day

We’d like to know what you think: If you could give only ONE PIECE of critical information to the newcomer, what would it be?

Submitted by TheDotMack on April 28, 2010

The thing that’s great about social networking is that we as a community can work together to accomplish a goal. That’s how the fellowships work, and that’s how InTheRooms works too.

Being that I’ve become a bit of a social networking guru addict, I stay up on the latest news and happenings in the social media world.  This morning I read an article on Mashable.com about an organization that is using social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Youtube, and of course InTheRooms to try and make a significant change in the world.

Here’s the idea: We all have closets filled with clothing, and most of us have at least one T-shirt that we don’t wear anymore - whether we don’t like it, or it doesn’t fit.  I know in my closet alone I have quite a few items I don’t wear anymore.

Remember when your mother used to say, “Finish your food, there are starving children in the world!” I used to think, “What am I going to do, ship them my leftovers?” Well, we can certainly ship them our unused clothing.

 http://1millionshirts.org/send-shirt/  - They are asking for you to donate $1 with however many T-shirts you’re sending (no more than $1) to help with shipping costs to Africa.

Please take a picture of you and the shirt you’re donating and make it your profile picture here InTheRooms to help spread the message, and post the picture on http://1millionshirts.org as well.

Also, to further spread the message that recovery is an asset, not a liability, and that we do recover and we are responsible members of society, we want you to send this message out on your Twitter account:

I’m helping @intherooms donate their share of #1millionshirts because I live to give in #recovery from addiction and alcoholism

Thank you so much for helping us with this cause. You are only 1 person, but with this you can help a million.

Submitted by RT on April 29, 2010

Leading Recovery Social Network to Answer Addiction and Recovery Questions

New York (PRWEB) April 27, 2010 — Today In The Rooms  http://www.intherooms.com) partnered with MDinfo.com to answer visitor’s questions on addiction and recovery. MDinfo.com is a health information resource that empowers visitors to post questions and receive responses from Health Experts in a variety of specialties. Those who visit MDinfo.com and have questions on addiction and recovery, will receive expertise from In The Rooms, the number one social network for those seeking help for addiction, are in recovery and/or for family, friends and allies.

“As more and more people go online for answers to health related questions, MDinfo.com is proud to provide In The Rooms’ expertise on addiction and recovery,” said Paige Pilkington, director of partner relations at MDinfo.com. “We know that important medical breakthroughs can more likely occur, if we bring together relevant individuals whose paths would not ordinarily cross. In The Rooms is another expert that we are happy to bring into the MDinfo.com family to help our visitors.”

In The Rooms is the number one website for those seeking help for addiction, are in recovery and/or for family, friends and allies. The social network is actively used by 80,000 plus members in 50 countries, and has over 1.2 million messages, over 440,000 status updates and over 2.4 million comments. In The Rooms provides information and resources to serve as an invaluable “lifeline” for anyone seeking to better understand addiction, recovery and share their experiences, strength and hope.

“In The Rooms is honored to be part of the MDinfo.com’s family of experts. With access to treatment centers and counselors across the world, In The Rooms is the go-to resource on addiction and recovery,” said Ron Tannebaum, co-founder of In The Rooms. “In The Rooms looks forward to providing answers to help more people and provide more answers regarding addiction and recovery.”

About In The Rooms

In The Rooms  www.intherooms.com) is a free online global recovery community. It allows members to immediately feel safe and secure with their anonymity and privacy. In The Rooms transcends the boundaries of all 12 step fellowships socially while maintaining the integrity of each by having a separate group, meeting lists and speaker tape library for each 12 step fellowship. In The Rooms allows people to reach out to one another across the globe 24-7 to share their experiences, strength and hope. Follow In The Rooms on Twitter @intherooms or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/intherooms.

Submitted by BenBen The Fisherman on April 29, 2010

Submitted by krismurphy2769 on April 21, 2010

I have wandered for awhile now why has my journey so far in recovery been somewhat easy for me. I have a 22 year addiction and on july 23rd when I took my last drink and woke up in NCH not knowing what happened or why I was there with a blood alcholol level of .414 what had I done. well that was my last drunk. I almost died of alchlol posioning. As I started coming to the rooms and listened that I was no different then others I started to enjoy life. I lost my job, and almost my freedom (violation of probation) I was put on drug court and basicaly had to do this, but this time I wanted sobriety. I got a sponsor a home group and lots of phone numbers. got involved with service work. I was enjoying this way of life. I couldnt figure out why as I would finish the 3rd step ready for the 4th that I would change sponsors and start steps over. my answer came on march 9th 2010. god knew when I would be ready and I was on my 3rd sponsor and worked the steps differently. I got more into steps one two and three. thank god I did. on march 9th my 19 year old daughter was hit by a car walking across 41 and airport. she just signed a lease on her own apartment. she was getting ready to live her life. she was 4 1/2 weeks pregnant. the driver did not stop he thought he hit a water cooler, but in reality hit my daughter and her friend as they walked across the street. my daughter hit the hood of car and went straight into windshield and was thrown 100 ft. she had head injuries,broken neck in two places and broken pelvis in 5 places. she was not breathing at the scene, but there was a guy who saw this happen and was able to get my daughter breathing again. she did not wake up. she was airlifted to lee memorial hospital. she stayed in a coma for 5 days and her fight for survival would end. she passed away with me at her side along with friends from AA and her coworkers who all came when I called and needed them. her room in the ICU was packed. My daughter touched alot of lives. So again I ask WHY me. god has a plan that I know but dont understand why me. looking back I know god needed to prepare me for this tragedy. he planed for me to come into the rooms and be able to not have urges and to work my program and believe in him. My days are not easy. I cry every day. I miss her like crazy. she never woke up. however that day I told her I was proud of her for being able to get her own place and being able to want to start her life as an adult. she only moved a block from me and never got to stay the first night in her new place.

One good thing that may come from this is that I am having a memorial event on june 4th 2010 at the church we attended. she loved the kids there and I know she would want the kids to be happy. so I am going to raise money from this event and the help of others that will donate to event. we are going to build a playground in her memory. she is buried up north in pa because thats where my family plot is. her friends down her dont have a place to go to remeber her. with the help of all I will make that place. there is so much to share with everyone on my life and how I got to where I am and not use.

Anyone willing to donate please send check or money order to Tree of Life church 2132 shadowlawn dr naples florida 34112. in the memo put for chelseys park. I would be honored and greatful. And please feel free to come to the event on june 4th at the tree of life church 500pm to 10pm and join us for food fun and fellowship. Guest Speaker is Dennis H.

Again why me?

Submitted by CajunJoe on April 21, 2010

Alternative Motorcycle Club is a family oriented club that has fun riding and is proud of being clean and sober.  We feel that we have something worthwhile to offer any clean and sober rider regardless of their background. With 21 chapters throughout the United States, Alternative MC has become an excellent extension of the 12 step fellowships and the club has continued to grow nationally year after year for the past 16 years.  The club is a brotherhood of individuals who share a common interest and quality.  We are a family in good times, in bad times and especially in times of tragedy.  We are united for a common purpose and even more so when a Brother is killed or dies.

Due to the untimely death of our Brother, James “Cadillac” Saville, the Palm Beach County Chapter of Alternative MC needed a way to raise money for his surviving children so that they would be cared for in the same way our Brother would have cared and provided for them. This humble beginning led to the formation of Cadillac’s Kids, a non profit organization that helps provide for the surviving children of parents involved in fatal motorcycle accidents in Florida.  The money raised by Cadillac’s Kids is used to assist in providing for the surviving children’s educational needs.  The Palm Beach County Chapter felt that providing for children in this way should not be limited to our Brother’s children and thus Cadillac’s Kids was created.

Cadillac’s Kids Comedy Night fundraiser is one way that the Palm Beach County Chapter of Alternative MC helps to further the goals of Cadillac’s Kids and to celebrate the life of our fallen Brother Cadillac who is greatly missed on a daily basis by all of us who knew and loved him.

A NIGHT OF COMEDY AND FELLOWSHIP – ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT CHILDREN OF FALLEN BIKERS TO HELP PAY FOR THEIR EDUCATION.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
5:00pm – 10:00pm

D.A.F. Auditorium 400 South Swinton Avenue – Delray Beach ,FL. 33444
ATLANTIC AVE E TO SWINTON AVE – SOUTH ON SWINTON TO SW 4TH ON YOUR RIGHT

TICKETS: VIP $20.00 – - GENERAL ADMISSION $10.00
GROUP RATES AVAILABLE FOR SOBER LIVING FACILITIES & TREATMENT CENTERS

 http://www.cadillacskids.com/

Submitted by DawnR on April 21, 2010

Holistic Lifestyles Radio has a new exciting line-up. People love the programming so much that we are adding five more hours each week with great new recovery based shows. The new line-up begins 10pm EST every week night. Monday’s will feature Ken Seeley of Intervention911, Thursday night will be Terry Gorski with relapse prevention and on Friday night’s Dawn Maslar, author of the Broken Picker Fixer and Love In The Rooms will be taking your calls live. The new programming is completely interactive with the host taking your comments and answering your questions. Simply call 1-888-565-1470 to speak live with Ken, Terry and Dawn. In addition, In The Rooms makes listening easy, just click on the Holistic Lifestyles Radio listen live button at 10 pm each night for the greatest hour of recovery on radio. You can also listen live in South Florida by tuning into WWNN 1470 AM. Wondering who will be on the other two nights…we have some big surprises in store so you have to tune in.

Submitted by BenBen The Fisherman on April 21, 2010

Submitted by MrClean on April 14, 2010

The 12 Steps are a program of spirituality, not religion.  Even though the steps are founded on the basis of belief in a higher power, most people say we are free to choose what that higher power is.

InTheRooms wants to know: How do you handle it when people share in meetings quoting scripture or going into detail about their personal religion? When I was a newcomer if I was in a meeting and someone was quoting the bible, I would have walked out the door and possibly never returned! Obviously, I have much more tolerance now and I’ve  developed a very strong belief in a higher power… but I always think about how our message is received by the newcomer. I know I’m powerless over others but am I alone in this concern? Is our message of recovery being diluted. How do you personally deal with this issue. We have expanded our response box so that you can elaborate on your feelings on this subject.

Submitted by TheDotMack on April 14, 2010

Click here to Register now for The 12 Step Buddhist Workshop!

InTheRooms and The Treatment Center have teamed up to bring The 12 Step Buddhist’s acclaimed workshop to the South Florida Community.

The event will be held on May 16, 2010 from 2PM - 5PM at Soref Hall, Soref JCC, 6501 W. Sunrise Blvd, Plantation, FL 33313. The admission price for the workshop is $10 and includes free parking. Darren Littlejohn will be autographing and personalizing his book, “The 12 Step Buddhist” for $15 each after the event.

Darren Littlejohn is an author, group facilitator and community activist. He has advanced education in Psychology and has been a member of the recovery community for 25 years. He’s a practitioner of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism.

This is not a typical meditation group or 12-Step meeting. Participants will be given instruction on how to work the teachings into their respective recovery programs. It’s open to all, especially addicts, alcoholics, and members of the buddhist community and the people who know them - including family members, educators and treatment professionals. The interactive workshop is based on the 12-Step Buddhist book. Darren Littlejohn combines Buddhist principles and meditation techniques with the traditional 12-step program and modern psychology in a revolutionary technique called Aspects of Self Dialogs. Based on Jungian, Zen and Tibetan wisdom, the dialogs are powerful tools, which allow individuals to gain fast, penetrating insights.

Participants will be guided in meditation techniques as well as dialogs. Basic Buddhism topics such as karma, suffering, impermanence and attachment will be interwoven with 12-Step principles such as Higher Power, Surrender, Faith/Confidence. Each workshop is matched to meet the needs and abilities of participants. Participants will take home new practices and meditations designed to internalize and deepen understanding of these spiritual principles. Tools to help create fellowship and meditation groups in your area may also be discussed, depending on time and interest.

The Book, “The 12-Step Buddhist”, is based on a lifetime of seeking and over twenty years of experience in Buddhism and recovery programs. This work goes deep. The author presents a simple reference guide to many Buddhist principles relevant to recovery. What follows is an outline of the methods required to “work” each of the 12 Steps from a new, integrated, Buddhist perspective. The techniques progress from beginner to advanced levels and can be used as a lifetime guide to spiritual progress in recovery. Each of the 12 Step chapters end with a Jungian psychological technique, evolved from Voice Dialogs to Genpo Roshi’s Big Mind practice, called Aspects of Self / Addict. The work is extremely powerful and will help all types of addicts—and the people who love them.

See the12stepbuddhist.com for articles, podcasts and more. Darren also writes regularly on the huffingtonpost.com.