Remember Me
forgot your password?

How to Keep an Addiction Recovery Journal

About Journaling

How to Keep an Addiction Recovery Journal

During any addiction recovery process and even afterward, support is essential. A simple, easy and proven effective way, that anyone can use to support themselves, is keeping an addiction recovery journal or diary. An excellent tool for recovery, as well as a great way of doing our, Daily 10th Step Inventory, journaling provides a record of gratitudes, goals, intentions, and the ups and the downs of life. Journaling is a record of our actions and growth, our dreams and desires.

Journaling is all about expression. Writing down, recording our feelings, recognizing them, and leaving them on the page, is an excellent way to understand and figure out what is really important to us and for us. We can realize what we are really experiencing. We see what we are really thinking. It is right there on the page in black and white. Where is the fear? Where is the joy? Within the journaling pages and with time, clarity is easier to obtain and focus upon. Then, after this processing, we can make clear, focused choices of what works and serves us. And what does not.

An excellent, supportive tool to use to start an addiction recovery journal is The 5 Year Journal. The 5 Year Journal can be started on any day, in any year. Already formatted into three lines a day, the day and date are at the top of the page, but you write in the year. This format is especially conducive for journaling daily the 12 Step Recovery Program. Use 5YJ to record a relative reflection of the daily steps taken. After the each year journaled, we can look back at the previous years to see where we were last year, then two years ago, three years, and so on.

5 Journaling Tips

1. Start journaling on any day of the year.

2. Set your journal where you see it every day: On the kitchen table, your desk or in your briefcase. This will help remind you to journal daily.

3. Keep a pen or pencil with your journal.

4. Skipping days is a part of journaling.

5. You can use the same color of pen or use different colors. You can also designate colors of pens for certain feelings, i.e., green for growth, blue for sadness, orange for joy, red for anger, you get the idea. If you are using the different colored pens, write in the front of your journal what you decided each color signifies.

By journaling every day, we make time for ourselves, and in so many ways our journal becomes a treasured keepsake. Keeping an addiction recovery journal can reduce stress, help focus and organize us, and becomes a good reminder, helping us to set and track goals. Comparing and exploring the different times of our lives is easy with a journal.

For more information go to: http://www.nicd.us/10thstepjournal.htm

Copyright 2005 OMDC, LLC All Rights Reserved

Doreene Clement And Rev Stephen J. Murray
Doreene Clement, a cancer victor, author of The 5 Year Journal, and a journlaing expert, is currently writing a new book, Blessed, about her life and her cancer experience. www.the5yearjournal.com Rev. Stephen J. Murray, MCRC, the current Director of NICD, National Institute on Chemical Dependency, is an ordained minister and counselor. www.nicd.us
Rate this Article: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha

  • Latest Advice Articles
  • More from Doreene Clement And Rev Stephen J. Murray

Does anyone know some ways to get over an ex boyfriend

By: maria | 01/01/2010
For many individuals, ending relationships are the worst of all nightmares. You normally you can not sleep, eat, rest and relax because every time you think about something, it triggers memories of your ex. To get over an ex is ne'er easy for most individuals. It takes determination and will power to overcome your emotions and get over it every day. If you require to know how to get over an ex, then this information will for sure help you to focus on moving on with your life.

My roommate keeps my diary and my ex-boyfriend's picture without

By: maria | 01/01/2010
For most individuals, been dumped are the worst of all experiences. Usually you can't catch some Z's, eat, rest and relax because every time you look at something, it triggers memories of your past lover. To get over your ex is never painless for most individuals. It needs purpose and will power to overcome your emotions and get through it each day. If you need to know how to get over an ex, then this report will certainly service you to stress on moving on with your life.

I want my ex-boyfriend back Full Points

By: maria | 01/01/2010
I've found that many individuals, been dumped are the worst of all nightmares. You normally you can not sleep, eat, rest and relax because every time you think about something, it reminds you of your past lover. To get over your ex is never painless for most individuals. It needs determination and self-will to overcome your emotions and get over it each day. If you desire to know how to get over an ex, then this article will certainly service you to focus on going on with your life.

How long will it take him to get over his ex...

By: maria | 01/01/2010
For many individuals, ending relationships are the worst of all experiences. Normally you can not catch some Z's, eat, rest and relax because every time you think about something, it triggers memories of your ex. Getting over your ex is never painless for most individuals. It requires decision and self-will to overtake your emotions and get over it every day. If you require to know how to get over an ex, then this article will for sure service you to focus on going on with your life.

I Still Miss My exboyfriendWhat Do I do about my Current

By: maria | 01/01/2010
For a lot of people, ending relationships are the worst of all nightmares. You normally you can not sleep, eat, rest and relax because when you look at something, it triggers memories of your past lover. Getting over an ex is never painless for most people. It needs decision and will power to overtake your emotions and get over it each day. If you desire to know how to get over an ex, then this report will certainly service you to focus on advancing with your life.

How to get over ex-boyfriend

By: maria | 01/01/2010
For most people, breakups are the worst of all nightmares. Usually you can't catch some Z's, eat, rest and relax because when you look at something, it triggers memories of your ex. Getting over an ex is never painless for most people. It takes determination and will power to overpower your emotions and live over it each day. If you need to know how to get over an ex, then this information will surely service you to stress on advancing with your life.

I Don't Know Whether To Break Up With My Boyfriend Or Not Please

By: Naomi | 01/01/2010
Whether you were seeing your ex for a couple of days, in a lasting relationship or marital, breaking up is painful to do. The good news is that life does get better. Eventually, you will be confident to depart of your gown without choking in tears. Few people know precisely how you feel right now. Read their tips on getting over him and getting on with with your life.

How can a girl get over her x-bf

By: maria | 01/01/2010
For many people, been dumped are the worst of all nightmares. Normally you can't sleep, eat, rest and relax because when you think about something, it triggers memories of your ex. Getting over an ex is never painless for many people. It needs determination and self-will to overtake your emotions and live over it each day. If you need to know how to get over an ex, then this article will for sure help you to stress on going on with your life.

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup
Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.33, 8, w3)