Anyone remember payphones?
Times have changed, but there is still something powerful about a voice-to-voice phone connection.
I heard this advice at my first AA meeting and I can’t get it out of my mind. One old-timer was sharing about his daily routine, specifically five things that he does everyday to stay sober.
- Morning prayer asking God to keep him sober
- Phone call to his sponsor
- Call his AA friends list until he talks to at least three
- Quote, “I get my ass to a meeting”
- Evening prayer thanking God for keeping him sober
I’m really interested in number 3.
He said it’s not a voicemail or text message, he only counts actual talking. It doesn’t have to be long. Just a simple chat and recovery check-up.
To start, all you need is to get some phone numbers at your next meeting. This same sobriety black book can be your safety net when cravings arise.
I don’t know if this is a traditional AA practice, or something unique for this guy. It just seems like a brilliant idea. Starting today, I’m going to build my AA phone tree and put this routine into my staying sober strategy.
Addiction is trying to isolate us, so making those phone calls is like kicking it in the balls.
If anyone wants to add me, I’ll share out my number too. Fair warning, I’ve never been good at answering the phone – for this I’ll give it a try.
Leave me a comment and we’ll connect.
It’s true in all recovery programs. It’s best to get a wide range of numbers to call just in case your Sponsor is not available or another person is not available. For instance, I work as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I can jeopardize my career if I use my phone while working, technically for any reason. I don’t think, “It’s my Sponsee on the phone, I have to take this call”, is going to fly with the boss. We all have lives, thus we can’t be available 24/7. When you’re at a meeting, get phone numbers of those that you talk to or perhaps inspired you to do something in your own recovery from telling their own story. If you just ask, I’m sure that someone will start a list. Suggestion: USE IT. Do this periodically, “I’m just updating my (emergency) phone list, are you available?” Find out who will answer. Keep those numbers handy. I remember I had 5 out of 20 people on my original list that I could count on. That helped me not waste time and saved me precious time in the future.