Sobriety Guidelines
The role of the CAD is expressed in the 10 sobriety guidelines.
The ten sobriety guidelines of CAD are based on the premise that substance dependence is identifiable and treatable. Furthermore the starting point of this process is the acceptance and recognition of dependence by the substance dependant and his or her commitment to a sober lifestyle on a daily basis.
The CAD also views support to the co-dependent as crucial in the success of sobriety.
It must be emphasized that without this acceptance, recognition and commitment there can be no significant progress towards achieving a sober lifestyle. Below are the guidelines for the dependant and the co-dependant.
The 10 Guidelines for the substance dependant
A. I acknowledge the existence of my problem and its nature.
To acknowledge the problem I accept that the following is true:
1. I am substance abusive/dependant. This is a chronic sickness for which there is no cure and relapse is possible at any time, except if I maintain a sober lifestyle.
2. The substance abuse can be curbed but only by total lifelong abstinence.
B. I accept accountability for my problem and the need for help in the solution thereof.
To accept accountability proves that I believe:
1. I alone made the choices that led to my substance dependence;
2. I alone can make the choices to stop my substance dependence;
3. I must forgive myself and seek forgiveness from the Lord and others for the wrong that I have done to myself, Him and others while I was under the influence of dependence substances.
4. I must be patient while I, together with others, make lifestyle changes that are essential to lifelong sobriety.
5. I need the support, strength and guidance of the Lord and others that understand my problem to persist with the lifestyle changes that are essential for my lifelong sobriety.
C. I covenant myself to sobriety and usefulness.
1. By embracing sobriety and usefulness as a human being means that I solemnly promise to do everything in my power to:
2. Live a sober lifestyle within the Christian ethos while leaving the past behind me;
3. To grow and develop so that I may support others that are in need of my help to stay sober;
4. To tell others about my sobriety and encourage them to become sober.
Guidelines for the co – dependant
The ten sobriety guidelines and thus the core of the role of the co-dependant in the CAD are contained in the following three key decisions.
A. I acknowledge the existence of my co-dependants problem and its nature.
To recognize means I admit that it is true that:
1. I have a co – dependant , or that I ‘m involved with a substance dependant to a chronic, relapsing and fatal disease for which there is no remedy other than a sober lifestyle.
2. The substance dependency can be disabled, but only by complete and lifelong abstinence.
B. I accept accountability for helping my co-dependant in solving the dependency problem.
Accepting responsibility means that I believe that:
3. I alone can make the decisions to give my assistance in achieving sobriety.
4. I alone can make the decisions necessary to help my co-dependant.
5. I have to forgive myself and seek the forgiveness of God and others for the injustice against me, him/her and others committed while my co-dependant was under the influence.
6. I have to be patient while I and others bring about changes in lifestyle that are essential for my co – dependant‘s lifelong sobriety;
7. I need support, strength and guidance from the Lord and from others who understand my problem and I need to make lifestyle changes to assist my co-dependant’s lifelong sobriety.
C. I commit myself to my co-dependant’s sobriety and usefulness.
To commit myself to my co-dependants sobriety and usefulness, means that I vow to do everything in my ability to:
8. Put the past behind me, to help my co-dependant maintain a sober lifestyle and live out the Christian ethos
9. To grow and develop so that I can support others who need my help to stay sober
10. To tell other substance dependants about sobriety and to encourage them to become sober.