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Informationen zum Autor Christopher Cavanaugh is a veteran of the publishing industry; he was an editor at Family Circle in New York City, as well as the managing editor for Meredith Books in Des Moines, Iowa. He is currently managing editor for Reader's Digest General Books. He lives in Ossining, New York. Klappentext An unprecedented document of contemporary culture -- the first comprehensive overview of the history, jargon, traditions, and literature of the many 12-step recovery programs.What does a codependent say to his mate when he wakes up? Good morning, how am I? -- overhead at a Codependents Anonymous meetingThroughout the world today, more than two million alcoholics and hundreds of thousands of drug addicts, compulsive overeaters, sex addicts, compulsive gamblers, codependents, and other addicts abstain from their addiction, having found a new life by practicing the 12-step program of recovery developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. Over the years, their practices have evolved into a way of life -- the 12-Step Culture. Abuse. Using a substance, behavior, or other person in a destructive manner. A person who has a beer after a softball game is not abusing alcohol; a person who sneaks off from the bench to down a pint of whiskey and then drinks ten beers after the game is abusing alcohol. Blackout. A period of amnesia, brought on by alcohol or another drug. An alcoholic, for example, can be drinking, be awake, and have interactions with others, but not remember any of it the next day. Sometimes alcoholics come out of blackouts still awake and don't remember what happened two minutes earlier. Camel A symbol of sobriety. There's a poem that's associated with A.A. called "Dry as a Camel." It goes like this: The camel each day goes twice to his knees; He picks up his load with the greatest of ease; He goes through the day with his head held high; And he stays for that day completely dry. I have a camel pendant that I wear around my neck, and I carry a medallion that has a camel on one side with the words "one day at a time" and the poem on the other. TED Drunkalog (also Drugalog) A long story, told at a meeting, that concentrates on the days of the speaker's active addiction, rather than on recovery. Some people love to hear these stories, but it's safe to say most find them boring. Most prefer stories about how recovery started, how the person practices the program, and how the person has changed. Enabling. Behavior that allows an addict to continue the self-deception and self-destruction of substance abuse. Examples: a wife who calls in "sick" for a hungover husband; a father who ignores blatant signs that his teenage daughter is caught up in drugs. Less likely today is Ted's remembrance of a drunken trip to Omaha. I had a 1963 Buick Electra, and I wanted to see how fast I could...
