How to Keep an Addiction Recovery Journal

Published June 2, 2010

About Journaling

During any addiction recovery process and even afterward,
support is essential. A simple, easy and proven effective way,
that anyone can use to support themselves, is keeping an
addiction recovery journal or diary. An excellent tool for
recovery, as well as a great way of doing our, Daily 10th Step
Inventory, journaling provides a record of gratitudes, goals,
intentions, and the ups and the downs of life. Journaling is a
record of our actions and growth, our dreams and desires.

Journaling is all about expression. Writing down, recording our
feelings, recognizing them, and leaving them on the page, is an
excellent way to understand and figure out what is really
important to us and for us. We can realize what we are really
experiencing. We see what we are really thinking. It is right
there on the page in black and white. Where is the fear? Where
is the joy? Within the journaling pages and with time, clarity
is easier to obtain and focus upon. Then, after this processing,
we can make clear, focused choices of what works and serves us.
And what does not.

An excellent, supportive tool to use to start an addiction
recovery journal is The 5 Year Journal. The 5 Year Journal can
be started on any day, in any year. Already formatted into three
lines a day, the day and date are at the top of the page, but
you write in the year. This format is especially conducive for
journaling daily the 12 Step Recovery Program. Use 5YJ to record
a relative reflection of the daily steps taken. After the each
year journaled, we can look back at the previous years to see
where we were last year, then two years ago, three years, and so
on.

5 Journaling Tips

1. Start journaling on any day of the year.

2. Set your journal where you see it every day: On the kitchen
table, your desk or in your briefcase. This will help remind you
to journal daily.

3. Keep a pen or pencil with your journal.

4. Skipping days is a part of journaling.

5. You can use the same color of pen or use different colors.
You can also designate colors of pens for certain feelings,
i.e., green for growth, blue for sadness, orange for joy, red
for anger, you get the idea. If you are using the different
colored pens, write in the front of your journal what you
decided each color signifies.

By journaling every day, we make time for ourselves, and in so
many ways our journal becomes a treasured keepsake. Keeping an
addiction recovery journal can reduce stress, help focus and
organize us, and becomes a good reminder, helping us to set and
track goals. Comparing and exploring the different times of our
lives is easy with a journal.

For more information go to:
http://www.nicd.us/10thstepjournal.htm

Doreene Clement, a cancer victor, author of The 5 Year Journal,
and a journlaing expert, is currently writing a new book,
Blessed, about her life and her cancer experience.
www.the5yearjournal.com

Rev. Stephen J. Murray, MCRC, the current Director of NICD,
National Institute on Chemical Dependency, is an ordained
minister and counselor. www.nicd.us