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“Our program is not easy, but it is simple.”
– How It Works, Life with Hope, first edition, page 103
I was talking with someone who has long-time recovery. We were discussing the fundamentals of recovery. I was told that there are three suggested acronyms for keeping recovery. Remembering these acronyms helps to keep it simple.
The first is ODAAT; One Day at a Time. I can succeed in my recovery if I concentrate on today, not yesterday, not tomorrow. I am clean and sober today. It can be overwhelming to think that I need to be clean and sober for the rest of my life; I just have to think about today. If I remember this every day, it will get easier along the way.
Next is HOW, which refers to Honest, Open, and Willing; the first three Steps of recovery. I know that I have to be Honest about being an addict. If I stay in denial I won’t face reality and I won’t begin to change. I need to be Open to asking for help; I can’t do this alone. I rely on the wisdom shared by other addicts in recovery. I am Willing to let go of self-control. I can’t find recovery by relying on self-will; I need to have faith and trust others.
Last is NOW; No Other Way. I try to remember that there is No Other Way to recovery. Having a spiritual connection helps me with my recovery. I don’t need to do this alone; I can ask for help. Remembering all of these things helps me to live in the solution.
Final thought: Today, I will remember that recovery is simple if I just remember to live in the solution.
Living Every Day with Hope – Copyright © 2025 Marijuana Anonymous World Services. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Marijuana Anonymous groups have been granted limited permission to quote Living Every Day with Hope.
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