Edition 1, Volume 1 Tranquil Shores Alumni Newsletter Words of Wisdom On behalf of Tranquil Shores, A Message from the Editor I am pleased to report I am so proud to announce the that this is the first edition of re-launch of the Alumni Program. our Tranquil Shores Alumni It has been such an honor to Newsletter. The combined witness the creation of this stories throughout are beautiful idea of the Alumni In designed to aid newcomers Action Newsletter. I welcome with experience, strength, and all of our Alumni’s to get hope from past graduates of involved in our monthly meeting this wonderful program. We that is held on the first Monday have a fantastic and dedicated of every month, the Wednesday group that is willing to carry nights Art of Recovery / this torch in honor of the 12th Workshop Series, the As Bill Sees Step. So please enjoy and It Meeting, and/or to contribute look for much more to come. your creativity and experience in the newsletter. We are all very Jon P. excited to see you all at the A proud Alumnus reunion and look forward to reading about your amazing Our Staff ••• Founder and CEO Chad Johnson Program Director Linda “Lynn” Pyz, CAP Medical Director Richard Aranibar, MD Licensed Practical Nurse Arthur “Art” Kohlmann, LPN Clinical Director Sandra Johnson, LCSW, CAP, SAP Counselors Robert Sanchez, MS, IMH, CAP, CET Julie Friedman, MA, RN, LMFT Kurt Meske, MS, CAP Amanda Taylor, LMFT Lisa Grinnell, PMH Clinical Case Manager Ashley Stone, MA Director of Business Development Diana Meyer adventures and experiences since becoming Alumni of Tranquil Admissions Coordinator Jared Freese, CBHT Shores. Insurance Coordinator Sherri Kulak Many blessings to all of you! Lynn Pyz, CAP Human Resources Coordinator Barbara Przepierzynski Program Director As an Alumnus, your experience, strength, and hope is vital to carrying the message to all of those who share in this common journey of recovery. Therefore, if you are interested in getting involved with the Alumni In Action Newsletter, please contact us at or submit your content to: [email protected]. For any information regarding the Alumni Program, contact Lynn at: L. [email protected]. 1|Page Office Manager Mary I. Vega Gonzalez Administrative Associate Whitney Cash, CBHT Facilities Manager Bryan Freese, CBHT And Our Amazing Client Support Staff How Do You Know When It’s Time To Change Sponsors? I can only share from my own experiences. Around seven months of sobriety, and having worked the steps with my sponsor, we hit a wall. Maybe the truth is that I was the one who hit the wall by becoming complacent. Internally, I knew that something was missing in my program. I was attending a certain meeting regularly where I connected with a woman who spoke my language. I struggled with the idea of leaving my current sponsor, but deep down I knew that it was time to get clear cut directions without any fluff. I still love my first sponsor dearly and I acknowledge the fact that she brought me where I am today, and for that I am truly grateful! However, it was time for me to step into my next adventure in recovery, as advised by my incredible counselor. I was told that, “by the end of the day, we all play for the same team.” I am happy to report that my first sponsor is still a big part of my life and sober network, and always will be. My new sponsor is filling her big shoes beautifully! -Jill O. Is It Ever Too Early To Get Sober? People reach their physical and emotional bottoms at different times in their life, but the similarities that each person face with addiction is the unmanageability within their day-to-day routine. I reached my bottom as a senior in high school, yearning to go to treatment, and get help. I left school my second semester and committed to 90 days at Tranquil Shores. Initially, I did not think that I could stay sober for the rest of my life given that I was only 18. However, sobriety has been the best gift I could have asked for and I'm blessed that I sought help at such a young age. Tranquil Shores worked with me and taught me that completing high school after treatment was a life experience, but completing life school in rehab was a life changing experience. -Sarah Y. My Story… As a kid in my early teens and all the way through my adult life, I was searching for the answers on how to live happy, joyous, and free. I exhausted every external remedy imaginable trying to get out of my own head, always telling myself that the answers will come tomorrow and not to worry 2|Page about today. My remedy of drugs and alcohol were working exactly how I wanted, making it seemingly impossible to look at the progression of my disease and at exactly what I was doing to myself. The year leading up to my arrival at Tranquil Shores, those same substances stopped working and I was no longer able to be blind to the world. I had become a mentally, physically, and spiritually broken shell of myself. I took a leap of blind faith and got on a plane to do anything other than how I was living. I couldn't have dreamed how the next few months at Tranquil Shores actually went. I walked in at a bottom sufficient enough to do whatever it took to change and today I couldn't be more thankful for that. I truly believe everything happened exactly how it was supposed to. The love and support from the entire staff, both clinical and property is indescribable. The relationships I was able to build with my peers in such a short period of time is all thanks to the direction and knowledge we were given by the team of staff members day in and day out. The tools I was able to learn afforded me the willingness to grow in a way I didn't think was possible and I was able to quickly realize that honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, and some action was all it took to start my journey in recovery. Today, I am able to have hope, serenity, and the faith to live on the will of a power greater than myself. Many thanks to Tranquil Shores for giving me the opportunity to work on myself in a way I’ve never experienced before. -Brett A. How To Be In A Bar And Not Drink By Jacob G. (and a lot of wonderful people he stole advice from…) You might be laughing after reading that title, or simply staring at it in disbelief. The reality is that as recovering alcoholics we are still going to find ourselves in situations where drinking is going on around us. As my sponsor once said, “They’re not about to shut down the stills and close the breweries any time soon, so we better work out a way to live in the same world as alcohol.” This guide is to help those that find themselves in these situations. First, for those in early sobriety, these situations should be avoided entirely if possible. Even for those with some sober time under their belt, there needs to be a careful examination of the motives for putting ourselves in that situation. Not all, but many adults enjoy some amount of drinking on a regular basis. Whether it’s a work event, wedding, cookout, etc., we will be faced with times when we are inclined to go somewhere people are drinking. In these situations, we have to ask our sponsor if they think we should go. Also, we should see what their advice is for preparing. If they are ok with it (and so are we) then here are a few things we can do to stay safe and even (God forbid) have some fun! 1. Call your sponsor. So obvious, so important. Preferably before, during, and after. If it has already been cleared with your sponsor and they can’t take your call, have a few other reliable people in your recovery network you can reach out to. Often times my calls to my sponsor in these situations were less than 5 minutes, but it keeps you accountable, can ground you in the moment, and keeps you from getting lost in the shuffle. 2. Have a way out. Drive your own car, know the nearest bus station, or have enough money for a cab, and have an excuse to go. You’ll find that in these situations you’ll typically be winding down before the “drinking crowd” (surprise surprise) and it’s important you have a safe and reliable method for leaving when you want to. I usually leave out of boredom sooner than I would out of discomfort, but things can change quickly. You want to be ready to go if you are so inclined. “I have to wake up for X, my roommate just called – a pipe burst in my apartment, I’m going to my Grandma’s for dinner…” Whatever excuse you want to use is fine, have some fun with it. Don’t get hung up on having to tell a little white lie to get yourself out of a situation that is dangerous. If your sponsor tells you that God is going to take issue with you making up a story to escape somewhere because you were close to picking up a drink, I’d be surprised. Mine tends to let me off the hook. 3. Bring backup. This isn’t always an option. If it’s a work event, family gathering, or something you travelled to, you may not be able to bring a sober friend or six. When possible you should make 3|Page every effort to bring a few sober buddies for support. Not only will you have someone else there you can talk to if you’re uncomfortable, but you’ll have more fun too; let’s face it your sober friends are awesome. 4. Say a little prayer for you. Yep, just like the song. A quick serenity prayer on the way in, the way out, or (in your head, not out loud) during a trip to the restroom can make all the difference. You’re a bad, bold, dignified, sober so-and-so, just keep God close and you’ll be cool as a cucumber. 5. Have an answer to the “dreaded question.” Time and time again I hear the same worries about what to do when someone offers you a drink, or asks why you don’t. First, relax. About 75% of these occurrences will be solved by saying “no thanks”. It is important to bear in mind that nobody in that room (yes, even the guy downing his 6th tequila shot) is going to be thinking about alcohol more than you. You’d be surprised to find that the majority of the world doesn’t really care whether you drink or not. If they press you with “why don’t you drink?” then here are a few ways of dealing with that. Often times a simple “I just don’t” will end it right there, or if you are really pressed a quick “I can’t, it’s a liver thing” will steer them off course. You’ll have to look pretty hard to find the person that starts playing detective with your medical history, or even delves into this. Still, have a few excuses up your sleeve just in case. I’ve used mine enough times that they just naturally come out when this happens. “Isn’t this being dishonest? I thought we were supposed to be completely honest all the time though!” Simmer down. While I am not ashamed of being an alcoholic, I guard my anonymity closely at work or with people I am not close to. Why? Because that situation and my recovery are two separate things. Look at it this way: Do you feel differently about A.A. now that you’re in it? I did too. I know what it took to get me to change my preconceived notions about alcoholism and recovery before I got sober, and I’m not about to open that can of worms with anyone outside of a recovery environment. “Work Jacob” and “Recovery Jacob” are both still me, but one can face undue consequences from talking about alcoholism and one will not. I choose to use them on a case-bycase basis and haven’t had to drink yet. Do what works for you. Address the aftermath. It’s hard to admit, but sometimes when I found myself at that baseball game, company happy hour, or band playing in a dive bar I didn’t have any inclination to drink until a few days after the event. If you think you’re so committed and running such a good program that being surrounded by people of varying degrees of drunkenness and smelling alcohol all around you will have no effect – think again. We are alcoholics and there is no shame in admitting that there are some residual effects from being around drinking. Get honest, talk it over with a sponsor, friend, or in a meeting and tell on yourself. I have yet to meet the sober alcoholic that judges another for admitting they had thoughts of drinking. Get it out there and it will be off your chest. The point of all this is that we don’t have to avoid alcohol like it’s some kind of plague. The reason we recover is to reach a point of neutrality where it doesn’t actually matter whether alcohol is present or not. However, as we all know, someone once said “If you hang out inside a barber shop long enough, you’re going to leave with a haircut.” This means we should probably make sure we limit our time around drinking situations, but it is ok when you’ve taken the necessary precautions. Don’t make it a bigger deal than it is, use the toolbox you filled, and go enjoy the world! Stay sober TS. 6. Palaver By Jacob G. The scribe takes stylus in hand, clasping an artifact to his heart. The limitless minutiae of his consciousness collapses into him and flows outward. Extrapolation, interpretation, understatement and hyperbole. Scratch, etch, scrawl, scrape.... He is the purveyor of meticulously woven truths and maliciously seductive lies, 4|Page The numinous symbols of future history embossed in perfection on the smooth face of permanence. Laughter, tears, blood, delectation, and misery fill the fresh grooves of the stone surface. To witness the vast panorama of human reflection, condensed into so small a space, That a multitude of experiences and thoughts could be manifested through the lens of context, This is the way he surmounts the inevitable conclusion of flesh. Exploited vulnerability shapes the world he leaves. He wounds the surface to heal the unborn. Line, curve, font and fiction are the mechanisms of his formation. When we are faced with the raw and tangible testimony of our ancestor, Has the opaque fog in the thick forest of human understanding dissipated or grown thicker? Shadows reflected of mirrors are no less truth than the form that casts them. Can you tell the difference? Could I? He is the progenitor of the outward ripples of knowledge. The rock dropped onto the perfect placidity of a neutral plane of mercurial potential. The waves radiate farther and lose momentum with time, And at the bounds of eternity all is returned to its inception. This is the way our story is told, this is the way the legend is lost. Breathing For A Moment Of Serenity body, inviting you to align with a direction then the other. If you’re sense of peace. stealthy you can even do this in a By: Jamey K. We all know that we’re supposed to take few deep breaths when we’re in “crisis mode or any reactive state where our peace of mind is out of balance and we feel stressed or anxious. However what we often Continue this mindful rhythm for a few moments. It helps me if I can also close my eyes and bring to mind the gentle, slow lapping of waves on the beach, moving onto and then out from the shore again at a balanced pace. forget is that a slow, deep exhalation is critical to the calming potential of deep breathing. When we’re stressed, even mildly, like at work or sometimes with family, the “fight or flight” (reactive) aspect of our physiology and our mind takes control. From here we do not To amplify the calming effect of deep breathing, bring your thumb and index finger up to the sides of the nose so you can close one nostril at a time, and engage in “circular” breathing as follows: 1. Close the right nostril, then inhale deeply only through the left one. meeting, lecture or other group, with the chin resting on the palm of a closed hand as if you’re contemplating a point, using the knuckle of the index finger (instead of the tip) to close the nostril on that side while the thumb handles the other side. This breathing technique is thousands of years old and comes to us today by way of the tradition of yoga. Although complex to translate from Sanskrit, the forerunner of Indo-European languages, the word “yoga” roughly means “to connect”, and aspects of its practice include tend to think nor act in very good 2. balance! exhale deeply through only the Close the left nostril, then working with the body, breath, and mind together in a right. meditative way. Modern science state we need to strongly vent 3. of the physiology and brain the excess carbon dioxide closed, inhale deeply only chemistry which lies behind the buildup in our bloodstream, through the right one. effectiveness of these practices To move away from this which is a normal by-product of our metabolism but which will remain stressfully elevated if we do not exhale fully as we breathe deeply. To calm the mind most effectively and move in the direction of serenity, bring your attention to drawing the abdomen in towards the spine as you breathe out, gently squeezing the last bits of 4. is beginning to understand some Keeping the left nostril Finally close the right nostril, and exhale deeply through only the left. 5. for mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual balance. However where it comes from or how it works is irrelevant in the heat of Repeat with mindfulness until your state of balance improves, often after only a few rounds of this, which can take less than a minute of your time! the moment when we’re stressed, anxious, or just plain crazy! Simply give it a try, observe the results, and if it works for you then add it to your toolbox for building moments of serenity You’ll notice as you practice into your daily life. But don’t just stagnant air from the bottom of that this is less complicated than leave it in the box; perhaps move your lungs. After a small pause, it looks on paper. I visualize it as in the direction of using it let your belly ~fully~ expand and similar to an upside-down, “U” frequently and share the notice how a deep inhalation shaped straw that the breath is technique with others! almost flows by itself into your moving through, first from one 5|Page Quote Desk Upcoming Events Changing is not just changing the things outside of us. First of all, we need the right view that transcends all notions, including of being and non-being, creator and creature, mind and spirit. That kind of insight is crucial for transformation and healing Below are the events taking place By: Tim L. Wednesday, July 23rd 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Art of Recovery (Julie F.) in June, July, and August. Please remember to mark them Wednesday, July 30th 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm down in your calendars, invite a Workshop: Attachment peer to join us, and RSVP! vs. Non-Attachment We look forward to seeing you! (Julie F.) -Thich Nhat Hanh The willingness to suspend our beliefs and look at ourselves and the world from an entirely different perspective is the birthplace of evolutionary transformation. It is our responsibility to the future. -Tim L. I think it's important for me to show the world that sobriety hasn't made me soft. I'm on a mission to prove I'm still a nutcase. Wednesday, June 25th Alumni Meeting Workshop: Nutrition As TELECONFERENCE OPTION: For those that may not be able to physically be present at the meeting, we invite you to call the conference line directly at 727-264-1285. Self Care (Jamey K.) Wednesday, July 2nd 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Workshop: From Victim to Alumni Meeting I have other obligations now - the show, my family, my life... though I know that without my sobriety I wouldn't have any of those things. TELECONFERENCE OPTION: For those that may not be able to physically be present at the meeting, we invite you to call the conference line directly at 727-264-1285. -Rob Lowe Wednesday, July 9th 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Art of Recovery (Julie F.) -Matthew Perry Art of Recovery (Julie F.) Monday, July 7th 7:00 pm Wednesday, July 16th 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Workshop: Music as a Self-Soothing Tool (Lynn P.) 6|Page Wednesday, August 6th 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Being the Victor (Lynn P.) -Steve-O The thing is, if I don't have sobriety, I don't have anything. 7:00 pm 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Monday, August 4th Wednesday, August 13th 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Workshop: The CoDependent Trap (Lynn P.)
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