To
the newcomer who wonders what the first thing he or she must do to achieve
sobriety, we say that you have already done
the first thing; you have admitted to yourself, and now to others, that
you need help by the very act of coming to a meeting
or seeking information about the C.A. program.
You are also, at this very moment doing the next
thing to stay straight; you are not taking the next hit. Ours is a
one-day-at-a-time program. We suggest that you should not dwell on wanting
to stay sober for the rest of your life, or the year, or even the week.
Once you have decided you want to quit, let tomorrow take care of itself.
Just for today, you don't have to use. But sometimes it is too much for us
to project even one whole day drug free. That's okay. Just for the next
ten minutes, you don't have to use. It's okay to want it, but you don't
have to use it, just for ten minutes. After ten minutes, see where you
are. You can repeat this simple process as often as necessary, using
whatever span of time feels comfortable. JUST FOR TODAY, I DON'T HAVE TO
USE!
In the C.A. fellowship, you are among recovering
cocaine abusers who are living without drugs. Make use of us! Take phone
numbers. Between meetings you may not be able to avoid contact with drugs
and druggies. Some of us had no sober friends at all when we first came
in. You have sober friends now! When you begin to feel squirrelly, don't
wait, give one of us a call. And don't be surprised if one of us calls you
when we need help.
