I have worked for four years in a rehab for women who suffer from addiction to one process or another. It has been a rewarding and pleasurable experience. Over a period of time I realised that for many, the recovery process also involves a stage where a woman moves forward. So whether her addiction is to drugs, alcohol, emotional relationships, food or even to drama; there does come a time when the urgent need for behaviour modification lessens, and the focus shifts to what we call "quality of recovery." This comes about after an initial stage, whereby recovery strategies have been learnt, and preferred coping mechanisms have been recognised and welcomed as a friend. The good news is that eventually serenity comes and recovery itself evens out. What a relief not to be 'stuck' struggling any more. When the struggles return, what a relief to know that if we are diligent we can get through them.
Last weekend I experienced a Life Review -Therapeutic Autobiography Workshop presented by Warren Lett. He used Creative Arts Therapy Techniques, which belong to the MIECAT tradition. It was through this experience that I suddenly came to a decision. I wanted to shift my focus! So I changed the name of the topic and transported it to the Wellness Community under the kind direction of Darlene Cheek the Community manager. She was most supportive.
Do you know that I just got the shock of a lifetime? I thought her name was Cheeky? Freudian slip? Too much MIECAT? Could be - any way Darlene has a good sense of humour too, and I sure she has been quietly chuckling away thinking who's cheeky? Some one said to me the other day that my recovery cartoons are cheeky - so let's see!If you read back through the articles - I have been heading towards changing the nature and the focus of this topic. I was always talking about potentialities.
"21 August 2003 Potentiality! Recovery from alcoholism and other related addictions and conditions opens up new potentialities for the healing woman. Let's explore these new directions and see where they could possibly lead. "I have been talking about Recovery Cartoons for a long time.
Recovery Cartoons. If you are in recovery - then - this is a challenge to your creativity. It is a duel to the funny finish. Let's see who can create the best recovery cartoon in cyberspace!Girls! I just want to have fun! I want exchange cartoons and share in adventurous projects that are designed to help us to know ourselves better. I want to accompany you on a journey towards expressing emotions in a healthy constructive way.
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