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Recovery in the Lifestyle
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Simply put, "Recovery in the Lifestyle" is a group of "BDSM" lifestyle people and guests who are "in recovery" or would like to be. Its based on the 12 Steps of Recovery of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and recognizes that anonymity is most important for all.
Based in South Florida, the group uses a slightly revised "Preamble" (see below) and 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, permission for which has been expressly granted by A.A.'s World Services.
These are "OPEN" meetings, which means that anyone in any recovery program (usually a 12
Step program) who's also in the lifestyle, and their interested and supporting friends (submissives, Masters,
good buddies, etc.) can attend.
The group has three regularly scheduled meetings a
month now, and also holds specialty meetings at the local
BDSM conventions.
Many of the meetings have attracted a couple dozen lifestylers at a time, but
occasionally just a handful of people attend. In Florida, it depends mostly on the season and time of year.
"Recovery in the Lifestyle" maintains a web site that lists it's meetings, explains it's history, and displays letters of gratitude. It even offers a sample meeting format:
Sample Meeting Format
Members have come from A.A., N.A. (Narcotics Anonymous), Al-Anon, O.A. (Overeaters Anonymous), G.A. (Gamblers Anonymous), D.A. (Debter's Anonymous) and other groups. But all have one thing in common .. they are "in the lifestyle" and seek a place where where topics of any kind, including those related to their non-vanilla sexuality and BDSM practices, could be discussed openly .. and without judgment.
Visitors to the South Florida area have been pleasantly surprised to find such a group in existence.
Oddly enough at many of the meetings there seems to be
no big need to bring up lifestyle topics. The discussion and sharing is all about the recovery. But its just as true that one can include their sexuality when they share what's on their mind .. and be completley comfortable about it.
For example, if the need arises there can be discussion of what someone was thinking of while in the middle of a scene, or of how a slave feels about pleasing her Master, or of how a D/s couple gets sexually excited while shopping in a Dom Depot,
and no one will look at them sideways.
The point is that many people feel they can't be "completely
honest" in their regular A.A. meetings, because the members of the A.A. and other recovery Fellowships won't
understand our non-vanilla sexual lifestyle activities (nor should they be expected to relate to them).
Here's the revised preamble, read at each of the meetings:
"Recovery in the Lifestyle"
Recovery in the Lifestyle is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, that they may solve their common problems and help others recover in the lifestyle. The only requirement for membership is a desire to be in recovery. There are no dues or fees for membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Recovery in the Lifestyle is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay in recovery and help others in the lifestyle to achieve it. |
In addition, please note the following (posted at the request of A.A. World Services, Inc.):
| The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous have been reprinted and adapted with the permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (“A.A.W.S.”). Permission to reprint and adapt the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions does not mean that Alcoholics Anonymous is affiliated with this program. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only - use of A.A.'s Steps and Traditions or an adapted version of its Steps and Traditions in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, or use in any other non-A.A. context, does not imply otherwise. - AA World Services, 2006 |
If you're a clean and sober lifestyler, you're encouraged to visit the website below and consider starting a group in YOUR area!
And please, if you do, let them know. "Recovery in the Lifestyle" would love to assist you in any way possible .. and to add your regularly scheduled meeting to it's list!
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Source
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Recovery in the Lifestyle
www.RecoveryInTheLifestyle.com
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