I will be doing a "call-in" or a broadcast 12-step program starting in September. Still working out the details of whether people need to call in (anonymously!), or if I'll just go over the lesson, put it in the blog citing the book chapter we're discussing, and people write their comments.

It will be based on a course, and you'll need to purchase the books. I'll provide the title soon and other information.

God Bless, stay the course!
Karen

        

I want to share that I went to an AA meeting Saturday, August 23 (2008). It was my first one in over a year and a half. I picked up a two-year sobriety chip. Not sure why, I guess I deserved it after all. 

Wow! It was just like I remember it. True, honest, yet depressing. I went there optimistic, but my GOOD FEELINGS, and LACK OF ANY DAY-TO-DAY ALCOHOL STRUGGLE made me feel like I shouldn't be there. Besides the fact that almost everyone was smoking, and I practically had to detox on my way out (my lungs that is!).

While I'm very appreciative, and I it was eye-opening to hear the words again. I somehow couldn't really re-engage or feel a real association with the group. Let me AGAIN say, I respect AA, but there are reasons why it isn't for me. When I did speak, I obviously had to tone down my message of how the Lord changed my life, and I also had to be careful of sounding too "lofty" or "happy". (I'm happy almost everyday.) I did talk about being grateful. That's one area you can't miss on, be grateful you're here today.

I've said before that I loved the 12-Step readings, they are Christian-based. In my book "Simply Quit Drinking" I say that was my favorite part of meeting, learning, sharing, and growing.

I'm starting a group at church to help alcholics recover using a Christian-based 12-Step Recovery program. I'm very excited. Anyone in Tampa Bay, or further, is welcome to attend Sundays at 6:30 pm.

        

One of the things I've practiced is not going to AA meetings during the two years that I've been sober.  I plan to start attending to see what it's like now.

I have to point out how the Law of Attraction plays into my "Mindset Reversion" technique.  Mindset Reversion is to take you mind back to a point when you did not know alcohol. You remind yourself of what it was like to live alcohol-free and have happy, healthy, productive days. 

You see, focusing on the positive, that is what the Law of Attraction is all about. Why didn't I go to AA? Because I felt it gave "power" to alcohol. I didn't want to give alcohol power anymore. So I didn't want to meet with people who, at the time, were seemingly struggling. 

I don't struggle. I don't even think about alcohol. I enjoy my life. I'm not sure how many times I've repeated this...

Check-out http://www.abraham-hicks.com and you'll find the online free teachings of Abraham, #17 talks about how the Law of Attraction is related to ridding yourself of a habit.

God bless, and think positively!
Karen Gregg Price

Played: 2 | Download | Duration: 00:00:00

        

I didn't have anything to say for a while, and I've learned, that you don't have to say anything.

Today I'm writing because I have to give honor to God's amazing plan.  Just today I found out that I am needed to be an A.A. leader. My church, that I have been attending for almost a year, many of which have read the book "Simply Quit Drinking: An Inspirational Journey From Near Death" and know me as the author.

The church has been wanting an alcohol recovery group for a long time. Having my story in their hands, they'd like me to start up a small group to help anyone trying to quit or in recovery.

At first, I'm a little nervous, I will need to get to some AA meetings. I just talked to my Uncle yesterday who has 29 years sobriety with AA. It's no mistake that I've been quite for a while waiting for what's next, and that I talked to my uncle, and that this morning they asked me about doing a small group.

I'm always amazed at God's plan for me.  My recommendation to anyone reading this is to sit back and let life happen, rather than trying to make life happen or control it.

As they say in AA, you've got to admit that there is a power higher than yourself that can restore your life to sanity... and I'll add that once you've given your life over to that higher power, only then can you be free.

Amazed, but honored,
Karen Gregg Price

        

As the author of a book where I spell out how I quit drinking first by including attending AA meetings and concluding by not attending AA meetings, I am constantly struggling along with others as to whether you must go to AA or not. I can no longer "ride the fence" on this question. I have been thrust into making a public decision about my stance on Alcoholics Anonymous once and for all. Admittedly, I can't teater any longer on my position. Lots of people read or listen to this blog and for some reason that is the topic that gets the most attention.

My Final Answer:
It's better to quit WITH AA, but if you don't go to meetings, incorporate the AA basics into your own routine. That said, you must know what the basics of AA are in order to follow them and learn.

AA is absolutely a mindset where you must accept that a power greater than yourself is the path to restoring your life.  Now, whether you do that on your own or with meetings is the difference. The one absolute that I am sure of, is that learning to have Faith and Trust in God is what saved me and will save anyone who really wants to win.

This topic is on my mind a lot. I am a born again Christian first and foremost, and I will never deny in the slightest bit God's power in my own recovery. I also can't deny the learning I received from AA's 12 step meetings.

So, if you're asking yourself the question, "do I have to go to AA" and you're trying to quit drinking, the answer is "No, you don't have to go to AA." You do have to learn what it is about Alcoholics Anonymous that consistently brings alcoholics back from what appears to be a completely doomed life. So it's a catch 22. You also must consider that you are stronger with support than on your own.

So, finally, I'm going to give an alternative. I'll make up a group similar to AA, that is stripped of the areas that people don't like, and yet keeps the parts that must be there to win.

I'll call it the Simply Quit Drinking group. Let's define some terms quickly:

Simply - means wholly, completely, and absolutely

Club - a club is defined as "a group of persons organized for a social, literary, athletic, political, or other purpose"

Now, if some people could just say what parts of AA they don't like, we can pull them out as long as they are not part of the core purpose.

Some say "it's like a cult". Definition of "cult" from websters.com and dictionary.com:

Cult - "a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies"

OK. I have a minor in Sociology, but I'm not going there right now.

So it looks to me like this, if you reduce or pull out the rites and ceremonies, as well as "worship" then it's not a cult. What does that mean for our group?

We discuss all areas of quitting drinking, acknowledge a higher power, though we worship on our own time, not with the group; and we don't have any rites or ceremonies. No picking up chips, no specific order to a meeting, you don't have to get a sponsor, etc.

In particular, I personally don't want to say "Hi, I'm Karen, and I'm an alcoholic" before I speak at a group discussion. You can accomplish acknowledging this on your own, deep in your heart, so you don't have to profoundly label yourself before you're aloud to talk.  (If I did that, I might go through my whole day thinking that I'm an alcoholic... when I'm not one today.)

Alcoholic - a person suffering from alcoholism (in the dictionary)

I am not suffering any longer. I'm just not suffering. Period.

Alcoholism - a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages

I am not dependent on alcohol for anything; I do not use alcohol, or use it repeatedly, for anything.

A strong part of my belief  is that I do NOT EVER call myself a "recovering alcoholic". Why? I can't get passed the feeling and mindset that comes along with that label. I am not still recovering. I have recovered. I'm not still going through the process of recovering from alcoholism. When does the "process of recovering" end? Let each person decide for themselves. I won't spend my life being a victim of alcohol by giving it power and saying that I'm "still under the gun," haven't crossed over the mountain top, can't quite see the light at the end of the tunnel...

I think of it more as "I came, I saw, I conquered." Thank the Lord, and let's go have a great day and be thankful! Why live in the past, when you can live better right now, today! You define yourself.

        

 

July 16, 2008 —In an unprecedented case, the Virginia Employment Commission has granted Karen Gregg Price an Appeals Hearing nearly 4 years after her termination from AOL / Time Warner. Price, terminated around September 9, 2004 will present evidence that not only was she harassed for her disability and alcoholism, but she was also fired and never granted an opportunity to speak with the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. Price has since written the book titled “Simply Quit Drinking: An Inspirational Journey From Near Death” about struggling with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and how she used alcohol to self-medicate. The hearing is scheduled for August 12, 2008, 2:00 E.T. to reassess the facts of her termination and denial of unemployment compensation.

“I coped with my anxiety illness by using alcohol,” says Karen Gregg Price. “I’m coming out publicly at my own risk to help others. People need to know that if they are having a similar problem as mine, seek medical help and counseling, as well as talk to your EEO Officer at work,” says Price. “My drinking got out of control and all the signs were there. Coworkers noticed, but they made fun of me. I had full health coverage, but my condition was not brought to any human resources professional nor was I ever counseled on how or where to get help. In the end, my request to see the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer was not granted. I had requested time off to relieve stress from the escalating problems I was having at work, such as attendance. During that time, my access was quickly cut off from all email and company systems.”

Copies of documents such as emails dated back to 2004 will be used at the hearing from both parties, and they are available at the website www.SimplyQuitDrinking.com. The book is also available for sale and includes chapters on being made fun of at work at AOL as well as her extensive medical breakdown that ensued. Price was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning 7 times, two times right after the termination, on October 3 and October 9, 2004.

"I'm fairly sure that under new Mental Health Parity legislation, the firing of an individual for medically diagnosed mental health disorders is illegal," says Price. "I'm an advocate for the Mental Health Parity Act."

About Reaching Peak LLC
Founded in 2006, Reaching Peak LLC provides knowledge in personal growth and inspirational resources and other products as well as life coaching to help individuals.

        

Mindset Reversion is what I did to help myself to mentally shape myself to be successful in quitting drinking. I will explain more here. Please listen to the podcast audio.

Played: 9 | Download | Duration: 00:09:54

Defined, "mindset" means "a mental attitude or inclination, a fixed state of mind" and "reversion" means "a return to a former condition." Hence, my definition of my trademark technique "Mindset Reversion" is reverting to a previously held state of mind or mindset.

For more, listen to the audio, or pick up a copy of "Simply Quit Drinking" at the website http://www.simplyquitdrinking.com .

God bless you,
Karen

        

Holidays - to be or not to be, that is the question. You can decide in a moment's notice. It only takes one moment to quit.

Played: 3 | Download | Duration: 00:06:15

So if you're asking yourself...

To be a drinker on the holidays or not to be.
To get drunk on a holiday or to not get drunk.

When I was giving in to my demon, the thought (or question) didn't cross my mind at all. Back in time, for me, there was no question. The holiday was absolutely going to include alcohol drinking.

Instead, now I decide what I'm really going to do. This holiday weekend I fixed the door of my stove, and my big screen TV. I did a little website work. I took my daughter to Target for 3 or so hours to play. (That's a new thing I've learned, free play time in air conditioning with lots of stuff!)

More important to this topic of holidays... Many "problem drinkers" or alcoholics in denial simply LOVE holidays because it is a big reason to drink, and not just a little, drink a lot, and start early, end late.

Suppose I had a new a friend who was reaching out for help. However, a big holiday is coming and it's really hard to decide "to drink or not to drink". Alcohol won, and the stuggling alcoholic subdued, in fact turning off all communication for the three-day weekend. The binge had to be exceptional!

Alcoholics often do that. Once their mind is made up that their going to party for the holiday, it's no holds barred. Additionally, if anyone around them knows they were trying to quit, the answer is to stay away from them and turn off all communication.  Once the alcoholic gets the first couple drinks down, it won't matter anymore anyway. They will not feel pain, guilt, sadness, or anything at all beyond a wonderful buzz and a carefree attitude.

I wonder why holidays always involve drinking?

One step in the right direction is this: Start your quitting drinking plan just before a holiday (this works great) and see what it feels like. After that, if you'll take the challenge, try going to a dance club and not drinking. Now that's fun.

In all seriousness, I feel bad for those who didn't win this past weekend. I have to say to you, that was the past. Today is a new day. (Reference my blog about the coffee cup I drink out of that says "today is a brand new day"!)

You can forget about guilt for the last weekend. You are forgiven. This is a new day, a new hour, and can be a new you. Remember, everybody who quit drinking did one of only two things, die or quit all in a moment, a split second. All that stood between me and quitting drinking was one second... one second where it all changed and I SIMPLY QUIT DRINKING. You decide if that day or hour or minute for you is NOW or not.

        

Open Your Eyes!      

Played: 5 | Download | Duration: 00:04:26

Let me help.  My husband (Life Coach Joseph F. Price) and I were sitting around yesterday at the DMV and we came up with the Alcohol-Driven Weekly Calendar.

Since today is Thursday, let's start there. I'm just going to list the titles briefly, and expand in the podcast.

Thursday - start your weekend early thursday night specials

Friday - can't miss Happy Hour, 2 for 1s, kickoff the weekend

Saturday - Free For All! You can start at 10 am today if you want, blame it on golf, fishing, family gathering

Sunday - The Last Hurra! Last chance to party.

Monday - monday night football or a day of remorse over what you did or didn't do on the weekend

Tuesday - One honest good day

In closing, Americans have an alcohol driven culture, available at almost every event, sold on almost every corner, even DRIVE THROUGH PICKUP!

        

What Can I Do to Help? Please take this anonymous survey:

Survey - it's short, really short!

I was contacted by someone who seems to need help, but is looking for a non-religious, non-AA, way to quit drinking. Wow. That is a really tough way to go, but completely possible.

It's going to take a lot of discipline upfront, a reason why to quit, and the ability to mentally put yourself through the test many times. Many alcoholics are very intelligent I found out.

So, challenge yourself. Use your mind to stop drinking. I talk about Mindset Reversion.  It's in the book, but I'll share the core part right here:

Think back to a time when you didn't drink at all. Think how you felt then. Think about the problems that were not present at that time when you didn't drink. Now spend the day today alcohol-free. Repeat again tomorrow.

Break it down into little steps. Don't go where alcohol will be served. Don't hang out with drinkers. Don't have alcohol in the house. Find something else you've been meaning to do, but have put off, and now do it. Enjoy your project of choice whether it is reading a book, learning something new, cleaning out the attic, going through your clothes to get rid of some you don't use or need. 

Once you go all day today without drinking, do it again tomorrow.

Caution: if you have the shakes and feel very sick and flu-like, see a doctor. You may need medical care to remove the physcial addiction, and to do so without having an alcohol withdrawal seizure.

Today's audio podcast is about How I Can Help You.  I'm going to provide some ideas, and I would love feedback.  It all depends on you, the readers and listeners, to tell me what would help you. I'll propose the 40-day SimpleChallenge at http://www.SimpleChallenge.com, and I'll propose a weekly audio release of one chapter of my book per week. I think I'll also propose an anonymous call that I'll set up for Fridays at 5.

Why Fridays at 5? That is a hard point in time to say, no thanks to a drink offer or invitation out after work. Like my "Fridays" are a great day to quit" post, it's a great day to start your weekend right with a sober call with others who want to get to a sober day, weekend, month, year, life.

Go for it!

Played: 4 | Download | Duration: 00:03:28