Getting the Word Out

I need to take some time out for a little clarity regarding the blog. This blog was created over three and a half years ago as I entered recovery and it has chronicled those days since. I have covered a great deal of ground over this time period and often times there are entries which has no reference to recovery. Those entries are the epitome of recovery because it (recovery) is all about getting back to a saner way of life. In the first part of this journey since the blog started was a bit insane with all the uncertainty but there was one certainty that if followed could bring sanity.

This certainty is following the principles of the Gamblers Anonymous Program in my everyday life. I attempt to do this each and every day one at a time. This is a wonderful way to live and now thankfully I am returning to a saner way of life which is why observing my daughter at dinner or just fixing a bicycle have so much meaning to me. I was taken away from these seemingly minor (not so minor!) events for 19 ½ months now I want to embrace each and every one. This blog gives that forum and also keeps me honest. I was all about hiding along with conniving now thankfully in recovery it is all about honesty and integrity.

Enough of the disclaimer on to those “minor” moments in the day; in my new position I am hosting a social network gathering next month and if anyone is in the Temecula/Murrieta area on October 9th and is interesting in meeting a variety of people associated with the health and well being of others drop me an email at paul.delvacchio@gmail.com. It is my hope that there will be a “variety” of people because the last time one of these events was attempted only one person arrived. I have decided to take it up one notch and create the event at a local restaurant where there will be free food. I would hope this would be an incentive for some people and my ultimate goal is to get the name of our company out in the local arena.

I have spoken to many people in the last two weeks and in spite of our success many are not aware of our services. We have had an outstanding national marketing effort which allows us to keep 95% of the beds occupied but there is an underserved market in the outpatient business. In spite of all the woes of the insurance industry there are still some insurance companies that will cover outpatient drug and alcohol treatment. Compulsive gambling treatment is another issue as this is NOT covered by any insurance company in spite of it being a diagnosed psychiatric disorder. (That is another story for certainly another day.)

People can get help but there are road blocks in getting this help. The first road block is admitting the problem in the first place which is just like step one in the Gamblers Anonymous Program; “I am powerless over gambling and my life has become unmanageable”. I’m not sure how someone who is powerless over gambling has a “manageable” life but I guess that is called DENIAL. Anyhow once that first road block is overcome getting help can be tricky. There are incredible 12 steps programs available for most any addiction and at least count there are over 150 of these organizations. Thankfully I found GA when I did and it continues to save my life.

There are people who don’t take to these 12 step programs for a variety of reasons. I have my opinion but I think the most important issue is getting help that it is effective. Our company offers another form of help but is based in the 12 step format. Some people need more one on one assistance in addition or in lieu of the 12 step programs. We can offer this help and it is my job to reach out to the community to make them aware of what we have available so hopefully this social gathering will be a first step in this direction.

My wife is still looking for a job but today she put her wonderful skills to task in order to assist me with some things for work. My wife created a wonderful invitation for the event and unbelievably we didn’t kill each other in the process!!! I would like to think of myself as easy going and I have been told this in the past but I know I certainly have my “moments” which I kept at bay while my wife assisted me with the invitation. It was very cool to collaborate with her on this item and I can say without a doubt once my wife starts something she always finishes. She has a tenacity that most don’t see and she cares so much. I remember talking with her on several occasions during her work career and her emphasis was always on doing a great job. She will be an asset for whoever hires her but now I am happy she was here to help.

We were off to softball practice and once I dropped off my daughter I had to take my son to his baseball practice. My wife picked up our daughter later as my son and I were at the batting cages for some hitting practice. All went well and the team was prepping for tomorrow’s game. I arrived back home but we were going over to our dear friends’ house for a birthday celebration. These are incredible friends and as always we had a great time with so much laughter. While we were there I had another very dear friend help move a television from our house to our dear friends’ house. This was the same friend who assisted moving the television up the stairs.

We had a heck of time moving the televisions up and down in spite of there being three of us. This was a great workout for all of us and thankfully no one was injured, there wasn’t any broken glass and the television stayed in one piece. I am beyond blessed with so many dear friends who continue to do so much for me and my family, I am eternally grateful and today was a wonderful day.