SOS Meeting. Welcome to SOS my name is _____I've been asked to
moderate tonight's meeting.
SOS respects recovery in any form, regardless of the path. It
is our hope that you achieve recovery with the path by which you choose. We are
not opposed to or in competition with any other recovery programs.
Save Our Selves is dedicated to providing a path to sobriety
that credits the individual. We respect diversity, welcome healthy skepticism,
encourage rational thinking as well as the expression of our feelings, and we
each take responsibility for our individual sobriety daily.
This is a sobriety meeting. Our focus is on the priority of
abstaining from alcohol and other mind- altering drugs.
We respect the anonymity of each person in this room. This is
a self-help, nonprofessional group. At this meeting we share our experiences,
understandings, thoughts, and feelings, We are free to form this meeting to meet
our needs.
Sobriety is the number one priority in an alcoholic's/drug
addict's life. As such, he or she must abstain from all mind-altering drugs or
alcohol.
We are not against your religious or non-religious beliefs. We
are each unique. What ever your religious or non-religious beliefs are, we are
not here to change them. We hope you will respect the beliefs of each person in
this meeting and not preach or promote your personal belief system. Let's
respect each other's uniqueness.
We have it within each of us the power to change. This is a
chance for us to build on this power. To bring positive forces out in the open
and watch them grow. Sobriety is Attainable. The power to become sober is within
each of us. SOS credits the individual for achieving and maintaining his or her
own sobriety. There is no hidden agenda. This is an Abstinence Group. I would
like to welcome you to your new life where you now have the freedom to live your
life alcohol/drug free.
This is in only a guide to
starting your meeting. There is a great deal written about SOS
and this is only a narrow view of the Group 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.
Save
Our Selves offers an Alternative-
Self-Empowering approach to sobriety. In SOS we build a
safe environment where there is no criticism
of each others choices of recovery. We learn
to say - I - Me - My - &
refrain from using You - We - You
Must - We Must -You Should -We Should - You Need To -
We provide a safe place to share.
How do I go about providing this safe place? I probably should
start with my self. I realize that I am unique. I am one
of a kind. No one has the same experiences or feelings
that I do. If I share what I have done or would do if I were in that persons
shoes and offer it in a sharing manner. Then I probably am
doing it the SOS way. If I stay focused on the reason I'm
here. For Me. My recovery.
Remembering If 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 this
new world of sobriety is to help make this meeting as safe as
possible. This will make me a stronger person & add power to
my recovery.
Every person 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. After the
signal is given the person speaking knows the reason for the signal is
to give them a chance to wind up, condense and if there is time they
can continue latter. It is of great importance that each
person has a voice. After every one speaks that wants to speak.
Then the floor can be opened, again using a signal to shorten each
persons time in speaking. We use two fingers tapped on the
chest. At your meeting you are free to use what works.
We have found that a meeting should be shared. Leaders should rotate. I
learn that this Group belongs to each of us.
Religious & Non Religious Freedom.
I know that in a 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 and keep our religious
and political 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 outside
of meetings.
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.
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 a leader in his or her own sobriety.
Our philosophy is that each individual is unique and should therefore find and
fashion there own road to sober living and a full life. We have no interest
in members 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 one way. My using other support
groups will not in any way affect my standing in SOS.
My
religious or 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 meetings.
Christians have many branches - Catholics & Baptist may want to
worship in different Churches - Hindu - Hari Krishna - Buddhist - Moslem
- Agnostic - Atheist - may want to practice their beliefs with like
minded people outside of meetings. So here in SOS we
build a safe place where
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 with in my self to change my life forever.
I will Accept the Challenge of
Living Life Alcohol/Drug Free.
Duaine
Metevia from Dallas
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 to find the way that works for us or our group. When you
find things that work please share with the group, so we can all benefit.
Meeting
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Last updated: June 24, 2002
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Save Our Selves (SOS)
4773 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90027
Phone#323-666-4295
SOS
Meetings Around The World
If you want to become a part of SOS let James
Christopher know you're out there. If there is no meeting listed in your
area, it could mean that there are people in your area who are waiting for more
people to come forward and start a meeting. The way meetings start are
people contacting the clearing house and leaving their contact info. Some
cities only have phone contacts, people who will talk to you or meet with you
for coffee so please leave your contact info; don't miss out.
Disclaimer
IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS, YOU SHOULD SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
& GUIDANCE. FROM A DOCTOR !
THE IDEAS & INFORMATION HERE ARE NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.
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and methods of self help groups.
We do not accept any responsibility for their accuracy or use.
You agree to hold harmless the SOS organizations and webmaster from any and all
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