 I observed and I write. Over the last year the nation has gone through an incredible test of wills. Hindsight can’t be 2020. Alarmingly instructive but so filled with events and irony it sinks under its own weight. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Pretty shallow when weaponized for misinformation and here and there it seems the Dementors from the Potterverse were filling the sky. Voldevirus was anywhere and everywhere. A banner’s four words have had more improbable impact for cause than reason or truth. You can name some. Peer’s pressure and protests migrated into mob manipulation and intimidation. I can’t breathe. I note most impactful but diminishing words started with a “V”. Violence, vengeful, vitriol, voice, voter, and vicious. Look close, even Word has two V’s” in it. Verily, only virtual and vaccine are positive. Words have different meaning, use and understanding depending on cultural identity in the worlds of “woke” and the threat of “cancellation.”. This ostracism is akin to stigma and discrimination which has been an ever-present burden for those pursuing recovery from Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and mental issues. Which brings me to the title, The Power of Will and its historical relevance to long-term recovery.  Willpower is defined as the ability to control your own thoughts and the way in which you behave. In the early days of attention to alcoholism, it was often heard, as a moral judgement, why doesn’t he/she just quit? Certainly AA, the 12 steps and support of others provided choices, chances, change. and continuity. I met and heard Nora Volkow, M.D. of the National Institute of Health in 2002. I gained my first insight about the work on the science of addiction. It was exciting and hopeful for future medically assisted recovery that has evolved and in use today. I attended training with Flo Hilliard, Faces and Voices of Recovery. Her training program was titled The Science of Addiction and Recovery. We understand clearly that not understanding and overcoming craving and fear of the pains of withdrawal will drive wrong choices. With medical assist, and other therapies and recovery support, the brain will resume important activities. Remember, if you are not earning, keep learning. There are countless virtual opportunities. I recently was more informed about what I have written. You Tube, Many Paths to Recovery 11/20/2020. A New PATH—California RCO and ARCO member. Many years ago, I stated that if it is called willpower, it must be intended to have power. That power to make wise and healthy choices about behavior is reduced and at some stage eliminated with the intake of mind-altering chemicals or actions. More education is needed. Abstinence, where possible, remains the best solution. Current medicines, and there are several, provide restoration and stability and allow the brain to use them to overcome craving and fear of pain of withdrawal and to resume a more normal life. Oddly, in the recovery community, there is still a stigma associated with MAT. Another recovery advent, harm reduction programs, are controversial. In the aforementioned virtual presentation, Dr. Tom Horvath, Practical Recovery outlines principles, beginning with the first principle, that recognize self-guided change (natural recovery) as the foundation of all successful treatment. So, a properly functioning brain is essential for self-healing. The pandemic has had a disastrous effect in elevating all the elements and possibility of a set-back —perhaps a better word than relapse in the recovery process. We need all to get-back and on track. Medical assist and virtual fellowship on the chosen path to active and sustained recovery will help. We have to use resources virtually and wisely and quickly. Victory over the Virus and use newly learned Virtualocity. As the year closes, we revere the word vaccine. It has literally provided the wind beneath our wings of hope as we proceed to 2021. Close your happy eyes and enjoy the uplift into the New Year! Nothing is so bad it JUST couldn’t be verse Don’t just wake up feeling captive, You better just wake up The Positive. OR The Positive will just keep sleeping, doom and gloom just keeps creeping. Feeling really down is just really dumb, as there is just no point in staying glum. Covid vaccine? you can just wait for your big stick. Just follow protocol and parry the big sick. Each day It just may seem there’s no justice. Just don’t worry because eventually there just is. Just don’t fret about things not legit, The Positive will shadow you, so don’t worry—just do it. Merlyn Karst – Recovery Ambassador
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 The Purpose of Recovery has a logo. The development of our logo began with the purpose of providing a visual impact that carries a message. We conceived a circle of people connected in joyous connection while the colors are warm and calming. They surround a heart that holds hope. Recognizing years of communications about recovery and the possibilities and probabilities of positive outcomes, we have heard the response, "I certainly hope so." Hopelessness dwells in darkness and hope provides light in spite of it. Go with the flow is best served when hope is flowing.
We concluded that hope rests in the heart—connected but apart from the brain. We like songs of hope from the heart rather than the chaotic chorus from the brain. The Purpose of Recovery is to provide reason and resources to sustain and nurture continuing hope, help and well-being on the chosen path to long-term recovery. You will not be alone on this journey, join us in the spirit of fellowship and kinship. Together we serve our purpose— a purpose served well brings hope. Merlyn Karst, Recovery Ambassador |
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