A FREE opportunity to get help with resolving addictions

Do you know anybody who is struggling with addictions and really wants to find a way out? Or maybe you recognise that this is you? At this time of year, with a new year starting and resolutions made or already broken, we often identify big changes that we want to make in our lives, but we may not have a clue how to do that successfully. We don’t always have effective tools: after all, if all you have in your hand is a banana, it isn’t easy to put a flat pack together!

An amazing opportunity is available over the next few months: to learn some powerfully effective tools to help you make change for FREE, as part of a research project.

Phil Parker, the designer of the Lightning Process, has also created a course called The Rediscovery Process (or TRP), specifically aimed at people wanting to move on from addiction into a full and rewarding life. Phil is currently leading research to establish the effectiveness of TRP in the field of addiction, through the London Metropolitan University. A preliminary trial has been completed and produced exciting results, and the research has now moved on to the main trial. 

Gary, who took part in the preliminary trial, said "I knew everything about drugs - but not how to stop - until now." Gary was a poly drug user, and is now abstinent, 6 months after TRP

Over the last two years I have been involved in this exciting project, as part of the Bristol and Bath Team. One of our previous TRP clients gave us permission to share her feedback about doing the course:

“The TRP taught me to believe in myself. When I came to the TRP course I was existing, I wouldn’t have minded if I died. The very first day, I got a key, that I’ve got a choice. I can learn to change the neurones in my head. I wanted to live again after your three day course. Now I literally enjoy life.

I loved how you learned us, because you accept me for who I am, treat me equal, gave me choices, and explained things. You taught me how to think of things in a different way. I don’t get myself wound up. The way I am communicating has changed. And a million more things. Your way of working is the first time I have ever had that type of input.

The follow ups were absolutely amazing, I can see the magic happening in front of me. It’s been such a gift, honestly.”

We are currently recruiting people to take part in this research from around the country, including the Bristol and Bath area. While TRP works with any addictions, the research project is focused specifically on drug and alcohol addictions. We work with people at all stages and levels of recovery and drug use. So do pass this on to anybody that you think might be interested, or get in touch with us yourself if you would like to find out more:

Research.trp@gmail.com

020 7374 0233

Looking forward to a healthy 2017

One of the things I love about this time of year is getting messages, emails or cards from clients saying how well they are doing or how much they are looking forward to a healthy happy future. So I thought I would share this one with you (with her permission!):

“I am heading into 2017 feeling calm, strong, healthy and happy and that is thanks to all your support through the course and beyond.

So a massive thanks, with your support I have changed my life and I couldn’t have asked to achieve more in 2016!

Also I love the Bristol and Bath newsletters- the one about oxytocin was a great reminder of the importance of enjoying doing things together and being in those moments of laughter and connectivity with others.” G

So enjoy all your moments of laughter and connectivity, and Happy Christmas, Joyful Festivals, and have a great New Year!

Hilary

Steffan's Story

I recently caught up with what one of my clients has been doing since the Lightning Process: here is what he wrote. And congratulations Steffan on the birth of your baby son!

"I did the Lightning Process (LP) in May 2014 for my moderate M.E (CFS) which I had suffered with for around 6 years.

I was resigned to fact that I would probably never work enough to afford a house and I would never have the energy required to have children.

A typical day before doing the Lightning Process:

Waking up 10-11 am but stuck in bed with intense anxiety and lack of energy, feeling like I hadn’t actually been to sleep. Usually up by 12 noon. Having breakfast and showering (when up to it), after extra fatigue from this usually lying on the bed or sofa or floor up to 4pm. Force myself to get up from intense hunger, make myself meal which probably has little nutritional value but too exhausted so do something quick and easy.

Having dinner, maybe trying to help cook dinner but not being much help. Trying to get an early night and usually difficulty getting to sleep, tired but wired. Often awake until 3am or later for no reason just trying desperately to go to sleep. Cycle repeats. Even worse next day if I tried to do any extra exercise.

Biggest Achievements since doing the LP:

·         Being on top form for my own wedding.  The day could not have gone better.

·         Succeeding in securing two jobs during the last year, both physically demanding. Both more hours than I have worked per week during the 6 years.

·         Getting up around 8.30am. If working that day always on time to work and always time to get ready properly beforehand.

·         Going for walks measured in miles rather than meters.

·         Achieving all goals in my pre LP form listing “ideally I would like to…” including finally starting a band, and finishing building arcade machine in time for wedding reception and stag party.

·         Joining gym and attending it (even on a work evening),

·         Running around field near home (never done before).

·         Making new remix 27,554 views and counting on youtube. Recording singing and guitar in recording studio, always wanted to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqs1b0rx8Jc

·         Homeowner since June 2016.

·         Father since September 2016!" 

Thoughts

We have talked in several blogs about the power of our thoughts: positive or negative. But what do we do when we notice a thought that isn’t helping us? Recently I came across an interesting exercise to use; I liked it partly because it has similarities to some of the tools you learn on the Lightning Process course.                                                                                                        

Take a thought like “I’m not good enough”, or whatever your “favourite” not very useful thought is. If we think that thought many times a day it is going to have a major impact on our life. Notice (briefly!) how you feel when you think it, and you will start to see why this is so.

Now change it to “I am having the thought that I’m not good enough”.

How does that feel different?

And now change it to “I notice that I am having the thought that I’m not good enough”. What effect does that have?

I find that it subtly changes my relationship to the thought. After all, it is only a thought........ and my thoughts are changing all the time. It is normal to change a thought, in fact they change on their own automatically. So if that is the case, what thought would you rather be thinking?

Hilary's story

Listen to my own story of using the Lightning Process in this podcast on our Bristol and Bath Team website:

http://lightningprocessbristol.com/episode-8-my-recovery-story/

What do you want?

I am often amazed at the power of this one simple question.

Many a time I have listened to clients telling me in detail about all the things they don’t want, don’t like about themselves, their life, or the world, the things they want to change..... yet when I ask “So what DO you want?” I am met by a stunned silence, as people realise that they don’t really know!

It is a bit like having a filing cabinet with two drawers. The first one contains what you don’t want, the second what you do want. Your “Don’t want” drawer is neatly organised, you open it daily, you know exactly what is in it and can find things quickly. Your “Do want” drawer, however, may not have been opened for years, and when you do it is dusty and confused, you don’t know where anything is, and you certainly haven’t got a system to tell you what is important, and what unimportant.

Once you start to open your “Do want” drawer regularly, you will find out what is there, and begin to organise it. You will also clear out any goals from years ago that are no longer right for you, keep the goals you still like (you might be surprised to find some lovely ones that had got buried!), and have space to add new ones.

If you are at the stage of not even knowing what you do want, do remember that finding out is a process, and like most things it can take a little bit of time and practise to get really good at it. The key is starting. And even if you feel that you have a fairly good idea, it is good to do this process from time to time, because like all housework, you need to keep doing it!

Then, when someone asks you what you want, you will be able to find the answer quickly and easily. And, even more importantly, you will be able to start taking steps to achieve what you want in your life.

The Doctor Who Gave Up Drugs

This two part documentary on BBC One is available for the next few days. It charts the changes that patients have made in chronic pain, high blood pressure and depression, amongst other things, using simple life changes. Well worth watching!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07w532p