Sober Living by the Sea Blog

This blog about addiction treatment philosophy is brought to you by the Alumni Outreach Department of Sober Living by the Sea. To learn more about Sober Living by the Sea visit the Sober Living by the Sea website, to learn more about our addiction treatment programs for men, visit the Landing Chemical Dependency Treatment for Men and Sunrise Recovery Ranch websites. To learn more about our addiction treatment programs for women, visit The Rose of Newport Beach website, and to learn about our treatment program for eating disorders and addiction visit The Victorian of Newport Beach.




“The Five A’s”

AWARENESS, ADMITTANCE, ACCEPTANCE, ACTION, ACCOMPLISHMENT




These “Five A’s” are a process we all go through in this 12 step program we belong to. When you become aware of the fact that you are in a treatment center and some bald guy named John is speaking to you about “Five A’s” you begin to wonder why you’re even here: that’s awareness.

When you finally start to think about taking the next step in your recovery, you will have to admit that although John is acting a little strange you can relate to him: that’s admittance.

Next you may find yourself wondering if there is some way of getting out of this place a little early, but then accept that what this guy John has been talking about truly does fit the shallow existence you have been living in: that’s acceptance.

Next you see this action word while John is discussing “why the chicken is crossing the road.” You decide you must take the appropriate action to rid yourself of this insanity: that’s action.

Finally this bald guy John points out the fact that in reality you have just participated in the solution. Without even realizing it you have discovered something that you have accomplished.

This solution can be as simple as just becoming aware of what you have just admitted to your innermost self, and then begin the process of accepting what you just admitted to your innermost self. Next you may recognize that this is the action you have needed to take for the last few moments and actually come to believe in the simplicity of a process. Then you can begin to look at what you have just accomplished.

That was some tongue twister wasn’t it? Or was it psychobabble? Either way this is what we will all be working on together as we continue to experience recovery and further growth.




John Mallett CATC-II

Program Director

Reflections For Mature Adults


John has been a beloved staff member for many years and has helped many of our clients change their lives. If you want to send John a message, feel free to e-mail it to alumni@soberliving.com and we’ll pass it along to him.

Labels: addiction treatment philosophy, alcoholism and drug addiction treatment, family week therapy, mature adult rehab, recovery for adults