Hunter's award-winning book, Miracles of Recovery, became the first-place recipient of the coveted President’s Award in nonfiction from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association. Miracles features 365 powerful daily inspirations from a holistic view of recovery.
Like any other disease, there is information readily available via the Internet, that is really more hearsay than truth. However, when dealing with AUD or SUD, it is important that we base our decisions going forward on factual information. Harriet Hunter, bestselling author of ‘Miracles Of Recovery’ recently presented seven myths regarding alcohol and drug abuse:
“Many of us know someone with a family history of alcoholism, already predisposed genetically to drink and may have experienced potentially negative consequences. If we continue to drink with reckless abandon, there is a strong likelihood your grandparents, parents or even aunts and uncles have contributed to this incurable disease. Regardless of where you are in your family of origin, changes are significant to your falling victim to the consequences of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
“For someone diagnosed with AUD or SUD (Substance Use Disorder) alcohol is cunning, baffling and powerful. It is the only disease that tells us we don’t HAVE a disease as we’re looking up from the gutter. AUD could be characterized as a disease of denial. Many who drink alcohol take this denial to their grave. While their death certificate may state cause of death as heart failure, lung, liver and/or irreversible brain loss, referred to as wet brain, (a/k/a Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome,) alcohol and/or drugs often played a significant role in the death of their loved one.
“Scientists and researchers are digging deep into the correlation genetics and the psychological and long-term effects and implications of alcohol play. The American Journal of Psychiatry (September 2021) Death and Despair outcomes (deaths from suicide, AUD and liver diseases) have increased since the Pandemic. Statistically alcohol is at the heart of 15% of overdoses; 26% of all suicides and 50% of liver diseases.
“Here are seven misunderstood myths about alcohol. If you have echoed this before, it could be a sign that you’re headed to the end of the line of “normal drinking.” You’ve possibly moved predictably into the position of no return‑‑that of a chronic drinker.
I only Drink on weekends
The medical community agrees that alcohol, in any form, is a progressive disease. We put it in remission when we stop drinking. Drinking any amount is how we keep the disease active as it destroys brain cells, our liver, and other organs. At some point or another, our drinking and the thinking that goes along with our weekend drinking becomes obsessive, controlling, and we drink more, to make up for what we lost during the week.
I don’t hurt anyone when I drink: (because I drink at home)
When we pick up a drink, we become in a trance-like state fueled by a short-lived feeling of euphoria and an obsession that says, “more will get us there again.” We begin to “change” psychologically in order to control our drinking. Questions of whether we must get more, how much will last for the weekend, and a sense of doom that no matter the amount, it probably won’t be enough, begin to infiltrate our thinking. We become self-centered, refusing to engage in anything that will take us away from our drink, or selfishly isolate, preferring to hide our drinking from everyone by staying alone. The variations of how we act and what we do to preserve our drinking soon include guilt and shame, for we know we must act alone.
So while we may not have had a DUI (yet) or gotten in a car accident (yet) stole money, missed work, told lies and worse—all in the name of alcohol, eventually, any, or all of these will become a part of our story. These examples, and many more, personify the natural progression of our disease.
I can stop whenever I want to!
If you think you can, try getting up from the bar or your living room after that one beer or one cocktail. It may work for a good while, but sooner or later, every drinker crosses an imaginary line of no return. We can’t see it, because the degradation of brain cells, synapses and organ functions is happening on the inside.
We don’t know if it’s the first drink, or the 100th that will get us drunk or bring harmful consequences, because the 100th is not enough, and one is too many!
The danger becomes once we cross that imaginary line of no return, there is no going back to being a normal drinker. We like to use the analogy of, “you can’t change a pickle back to a cucumber!” And so it is with someone with AUD.
I have a great job, a loving family, and am liked and adored by many.
Alcohol is a drink of denial. If we react to the phenomenon of craving where we become emotionally and psychologically obsessive in our need for more, if we can ‘feel’ a shift or transformation in our personality, regardless of how exhibited, then chances are good we may have AUD.
I’ve never had a DUI, I’ve never been to Jail; and I don’t drink under a bridge with a paper bag
One doesn’t have to have had a DUI, been locked up in a psych ward or jail to have AUD. These are the unmistakable consequences of what happens to many whose drinking becomes out of control and the consequences become more demonstrable from here.
Rarely would we see anyone under a bridge drinking from a paper bag. That vision would be indicative of the extreme shame in the of early A.A., but not today.
I have no alcoholism in my family
There is no history of AA in my family, and, I am smarter than most. I’ve earned 3 Ph.D.’s and my doctorate in medical implications of the undernourished has enabled me to be selected for a Nobel Peace Prize. I’m responsible in every way. I can’t have alcoholism because I’m too intelligent and independent in my interactions… except for when I drink.
Alcohol has no respect for gender, age, education or denomination. Its purpose is to permanently injure its host. There are no criteria that determine the selection of who dies and who gets sober. Those who are willing to go to any length whatsoever finds sobriety more often then those in denial.
I only have two drinks per night, never more.
By this time, some of us laugh when we hear this. Those who are in recovery or those who have AUD understand that what we’re really saying is something that resembles, “I have two bottles of wine at night, or three to four drinks per night, never more.” But again, normal drinkers just tell the truth.
In conclusion, we drink to escape, because we like the effect.
The full text of the piece is available at Hunter’s website at https://www.harriethunter.org.
While there are many treatment approaches and programs, what is common to successful individuals who find themselves within a substance abuse program is the shared pain and the loneliness, often with an ongoing support system for the person battling the disease. That support system is what Harriet Hunter offers in “Miracles of Recovery: Daily Meditations of Hope, Courage and Faith.”
Featuring 365-daily inspirations. Miracles of Recovery was written not just for those addicted, but for the parents, the spouses - anyone touched by the disease because addiction is absolutely a family affair. Using the foundation of 12-Step Recovery, Miracles of Recovery embraces holistic suggestions as a practical approach for those who must face life on life’s terms, clean and sober. Encouraging and thought-provoking, Miracles of Recovery inspires with Universal Truths, “because,” Harriet says, “Once we know better, we do better.”
Miracles of Recovery shows through personal examples how to achieve long-term sobriety by embracing new behavior and positive reinforcement, regardless of what happens in one’s life. She offers a personal, sometimes raw reflection of the truth about addiction seldom seen elsewhere.
Tools necessary to maintain sobriety and change one's life through changing one’s perspective are also proposed. Miracles of Recovery suggests that readers "Do life differently," through exercises, solutions, and methods to improve self-esteem, confidence, and embrace a profound sense of hope needed to succeed. The author spurs the reader to embrace the belief that, regardless of challenges life presents, “NOTHING can change the course of recovery when you keep yourself, your sobriety, and your Higher Power first in your life.” In short, Miracles of Recovery offers hope where there is none through a simple program of actions for complicated people.
Hunter has received rave reviews for her work from readers and reviewers alike. Vernita Taylor of Readers Favorite stated, “Miracles of Recovery: Daily Meditations of Hope, Courage, and Faith by Harriet Hunter is a great choice if you’re struggling with addiction because it offers a full year of inspiration and affirmations which I enjoyed. I see this book as a mentor or sponsor that is walking by your side and helping to lead you to a better, more improved you while teaching you how to deal with your stressors. The best teacher is someone who has been there and done that, and this book doesn’t disappoint. The author knows first-hand what it takes and how it feels to be addicted. If you need help along your journey, pick up a copy of this book; it’s highly recommended.”
Anthony Capozzolli of Dismantled Life Podcast said, “Miracles of Recovery has been a feast for my recovering soul. Every page is filled with love and helpful insights that lead to discovery. I read each page by date and randomly turn to other pages for an additional spiritual hug when I need one. It’s almost as if Harriet wrote her wonderful book for me. Page after page hits so close to home I often tear up from positive awareness and clarity of emotion.”
Miracles of Recovery received the first place President’s Award in nonfiction from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.
Since her walk into recovery in 1999, Harriet has had one primary purpose: to show others how they can achieve their miracles while staying sober with a vision and determination to never go backwards, one day at a time.
Using her experience strength and hope, Harriet strives to be a conduit of encouragement to others in their disease of alcoholism and drugs of choice, by showing them what continues to work. With practical tools, principles and promises as found in A.A., and other 12-step programs, she mirrors examples of how anyone can be free from the bondage of self, regardless of their situation.
With each purchase of a personalized autograph copy of Miracles of Recovery from her website, Hunter provides a no-charge copy of her e-book, "Your Daily Reprieve; How To Maintain Long-Term Sobriety Serenely Just For Today" in PDF format.
Harriet Hunter has developed a six-module course for individuals who thrive on personal insight and emotional growth as they seek to connect the dots of their lives. Journaling with a Purpose! is a thought-provoking, sometimes intensive exercise for self-seekers who want more from lives. Its focus is both emotionally therapeutic and entertaining, as participants look inside themselves for resilient, positive changes to solutions and characteristics they expect more from. Harriet is never far away. She hosts web-based meetings, while delivering videos, offers no-charge gifts, handouts and many prompts that encourages and explains what the writer can expect with each module.
Details are available at her website at https://www.harriethunter.org.
Harriet Hunter is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be contacted using the information below or by email at serenelywritten@yahoo.com. More information, including the journaling course, no-charge audios, e-books, handouts and other gifts can be found by visiting https://www.harriethunter.org.
About Harriet Hunter:
With over 22 years of sobriety, Harriet has worked with hundreds of women who suffer with alcoholism and drug addiction to help them find peace in active sobriety, and sponsors women both face-to-face and online. Readers can find her in the global recovery site, Intherooms.com, where she’s been given her own room and brings Miracles to life each Sunday at 2:00 P.M. EST.
Contact:
Harriet Hunter
serenelywritten@yahoo.com
https://www.harriethunter.org
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