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SOS
Behind Bars
This is in only a guide to starting your
meeting.
It is meant to inform Inmates, Volunteers and staff
about SOS. There is a great deal written about SOS and this is only a narrow view of
SOS and the ways to hold
a meeting. My purpose in setting this down in a one page format
is to provide a over view. Hopefully you will walk away with a better
understanding of what we are about. To get a one page print out.
Print Out.
This will take you to
the one page print out.
SOS-Save
Our Selves
SOS offers an Alternative-
Self-Empowering approach to sobriety. In SOS Behind Bars Meetings members build a safe environment
where there is no criticism
of each others choices of recovery.
I learn to say - I - Me - My - & refrain from using -
You - We - You Must - We Must - You Should - We Should -
You Need
To -
In Jails & Prisons that have the benefit of
Group Meetings, many of you are used to giving input after some one shares.
In SOS we do this some what differently.
I provide a
safe place to share. How do I go about providing this safe place?
I should start with my self. I realize that I am unique, one of a kind. No one has the same experiences or feelings
that I do. If I share what I have done or might do if I were in that persons
shoes, and offer it in a sharing manner, then I probably am doing it
the SOS way.
No Sponsors in SOS. We are each equal. I have to go
outside SOS to have or be a Sponsor.
If I stay focused on the reason I'm here. For
Me. My recovery. When I try to fix someone
else then I'm distracted from my recovery. I do care about others
in the group and because I care, I will offer my support, not
my criticism. I know that for
each of us the way to sobriety is different. I will
learn to accept that another persons recovery is going
to be different than mine. Part of my learning to fit into my
New World of sobriety is to help make this meeting as safe as
possible. This will make me a stronger person and add power to my
recovery.
Every one in the group should have a chance to
share.
This should be done first. The first priority.
A signal should
be decided in advance. To enable every one to talk. A signal
can be decided in advance to enable every one to talk. When the signal is given,
the person speaking should have a chance to wind up and conclude. They can
continue later if time allows.
It is
of great importance that each person has a voice. When everyone has
had a chance to speak, then the floor can be opened, again using a signal to shorten
each persons time in speaking.
At your meeting you are free to use what works.
Three
or more people holding a meeting,
works best. If for some reason one person can't make a meeting there
are two to take that persons place. When one of those holding the
meeting is freed to the world to practice their new life in sobriety,
there are two to take his/her place. As each person
takes their place in leading the group, they are empowered.
The group is empowered.
I learn that this Group belongs to each of
us not just one person.
There will be no promotion of drug use.
Except for medical reasons. Not for getting high reasons. If you are
in recovery for alcohol and had no problem with pot don't start using pot.
This is a abstinence group.
I will repeat SOS is a abstinence group.
Alcoholic/Drug-Addict
Some members don't refer to them selves as a alcoholic
or a drug addict. Each of us have the right to paint a picture of our
self as we choose. The purpose of the group is to live life clean and
sober. The purpose is not to chant in unison, as we are each
unique.
SOS
has no central apparatus, hierarchical structures or authoritarian
leaderships.
Each individual is the
leader in his or her own sobriety.
Our philosophy is that each
individual is unique and should therefore find and fashion their own
road to sober living and a full life. We have no interest in member’s
private beliefs or lifestyles. All groups are independent and work
together as a voluntary association of free- thought groups.
There is no hidden agenda.
I am free to use other support
groups.
There is no Single path to sobriety.
Using other support groups will not in any way affect my
standing in SOS.
I Will Become the Captain of My
Ship & Sail into a New Life.
Religious
& Non Religious Freedom.
I know that in every recovery group
there will be people with differing views on religion. There
will be people with different views on politics. To keep our
focuses on recovery. To keep our religious, political and social views intact, free
from criticism or to have members trying to convert us to their religion or
politics, it is in the best interest of the group and each of us,
that our religious or non-religious beliefs be expressed with like minded
people out side of the meetings.
My
Religious & Non-religious Beliefs are Never Challenged in the Group.
because they are a private part of
my recovery. With my mind clear, free of Alcohol/ Drugs, I will be better equipped to follow my belief system. I can expand
and strengthen my belief system with like-minded
people outside of SOS meetings. Catholics & Baptist - Hindu - Hari Krishna - Buddhist - Moslem - Agnostic -
Atheist - Pagan are free to practice their beliefs with like minded people out
side of SOS meetings.
Here in SOS
members build a safe place where Religious & Non Religious
Freedom is Practiced.
Here everyone is encouraged to
follow their own belief system. No One Preaches To - Tries to Convert - or
- Subvert Another's Belief System.
Here we are
each Unique.
We Celebrate- & - Support
this Uniqueness. From this celebration of just how different we are
Strength & Power
Grows.
Clean
and sober I learn to use the Power I have within myself to change my life
forever.
I will Accept the
Challenge of Living Life Alcohol/Drug Free.
Duaine Metevia from
Dallas
From the book "Building Recovery" By Duaine Metevia
http://www.itsachoicepublishing.com
SOS Behind Bars
We are each Unique as are our Group
Meetings. There is no one way, there is only the way that works for you our your group.
If it isn't working then it is up to each of us to find the way that
works for us or our group.
Please share what is working so we can all benefit.
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