Save Our Selves
Part of the World Wide SOS Family

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Organization from Europe

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James Christopher

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First 30  Days

Europe First
30 Days

SOS Dallas Guide to Starting a Meeting

SOS Behind Bars Guide  to  Starting a Meeting

Europe How to Start a Meeting

SOS Dallas Opening  Meeting

Relapse  Prevention

An SOS Approach to eating Disorders

Guide Book for Group Leaders

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SOS Conference 2000

SOS -AA From SOS Europe

SOS-AA as One Member Sees it

Discussion__ on 12 Steps

Why 12 Steps Work for Some People

Could Your Group be a Cult?

Chartered or Shackled

Scientific & Medical Articles

Limbic Lizard

Poems

Cyber Chips

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SOS Links Print Out

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TIPS & GUIDELINES TO START
SOS GROUPS!

Starting your own Group

Suggested Group Opening Statement The SOS International Advisory Board
Starting a Group

Two people (the bigger the better, as it always seems like more)

 Enthusiasm, Patience & Perseverance. (secular angels are always welcome)

A Meeting Place - community rooms, libraries, schools, colleges, hospitals, etc.,
 

Date, time and length of meeting - when best for the majority. 1-1.5 hours.
 

Group Name - whatever suits your group, language, culture.
 

Agenda - 1) chairperson or another reads out SOS Opening Statement (below).
2) sharing - speaking in turn voluntarily, without comment from others)
3) cross-talk - friendly comments from others about others where asked for.
4) Discussion topic (optional)- introduced for 5-20 mins by member. e.g.
«Sobriety Priority, Abstinence, Urges & Cravings, Feelings, Emotions, Denial,
Medical base of addiction, Medical problems from addiction, Xmas, Holidays, Family, Work,
My story, Relapse, Anger, Guilt, Joy, Sober living », etc.,

Officers - elected secretary, treasurer, literature organizer. Rotating chairperson

Money - There is no membership fee. But a collection is held so people can give what they wish or are able

Business - practical questions for the running of the group.

Closing the meeting - no formalities, thank all for coming, give time and agenda for next meeting.
 

Publicity - Produce leaflets, letters of introduction. Mail them to hospitals, doctors, clinics, associations,
Press releases to newspapers, radio, TV, etc., Pin fliers to notice boards.
Visit other recovery groups.
Offer to speak at professional bodies or other meetings.
Inform details to European and US Website and International Clearing House by post or e-mail asap!

 

Don't Need to Sign a Charter

THINGS YOU DON'T NEED!

A Charter. SOS groups are independent

A Higher Power, 1200 steps, Belief in God (a private issue)

A Sponsor, People saying "Hi! My name is Hydro, again. Hi! Hydro, again"

A Serenity Prayer, Intolerance of other people's beliefs.

Someone telling you how to live your life.

 

WHAT YOU WILL GET! 

Anonymity and confidentiality. Support and advice on your recovery. Being treated as a responsible adult. Respect for you as a unique individual, and respect for others' views and paths. Democratic discussions and time for all to speak. We welcome healthy debate. A scientific understanding of your illness. Self-empowerment and individual responsibility. An approach, with methods and tips which you can adapt to suit your own path to recovery. (see - sobriety priority )

Although, we disagree with 12 step programs (as a method for us), try to avoid allowing meetings to turn into AA/NA bashing affairs. Get on with your own Sobriety. SOS is about Getting Real. This means we tend to talk about the good and bad things of life here and now in our efforts to get and stay sober/clean . This doesn't mean it isn't important to use the bad experiences of our past drinking/using at a personal and group level to help us keep sober or help others. (see  limbic lizard But we do it as appropriate and not as a ritual or guilt trip. Sobriety is about reclaiming your life and the group contributions are to help us do that. The group facilitates self-empowerment and the development of individual responsibility for your illness in a serious, but friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Many groups have both alcoholics and other drug addicts together; overeaters, gamblers as well; friends and family and sufferers together; some have separate SOS Family and Friends groups, others form Women's' Groups. Do what suits you and your group to deal with addiction!

FOR HELP AND ADVICE ON STARTING A GROUP CONTACT sos@cfiwest.org

 

 

"OPENING STATEMENT" - (suggested)
Welcome to SOS ; My name is.....................

SOS stands for Secular Organizations for Sobriety or Save Our Selves. We are a support group for people who wish to get sober and stay sober, and/or for friends and family of alcoholics and addicts who are looking for knowledge and support. People are asked not to drink or use before coming to a meeting.

SOS is a secular recovery group and does not use religious or spiritual programs. Nor is SOS aligned with any political groups, sects or cults. SOS is open to all regardless of their personal beliefs and does not attempt to enforce any doctrine or programme.

SOS is only interested in discussing sobriety and ways and methods which help us along this path. However, we do respect diversity, encourage debate, rational thinking and scientific enquiry, and gain strength from the experiences, methods, ideas and opinions of others.

SOS does not have a "programme" or "steps", but we do have an approach which is called the « Sobriety Priority », and methods such as « Closing the Gap ». These explain that life-long abstinence from all mind-altering substances is obligatory for recovery. In meetings we share our common, well-tested methods for achieving and maintaining sobriety. However, your own approach for implementing your own Sobriety Priority must be fashioned in a way that suits you, and feels comfortable for you. SOS is concerned with self-empowerment and individual responsibility, through a supportive group.

Our secular meeting are totally anonymous and strictly confidential. We begin by allowing each person to « get things off their chest » and share their experiences and problems with the group. This is without comments from others. A separate part of the meeting is set aside for « cross talk », in which everyone is welcome to make constructive comments to others, unless others do not wish it. And/or a member may introduce a topic for discussion.

Business is kept to a minimum necessary for the functioning of the group. There are no membership dues. However, we are self-financing and a collection is held to pay for necessary costs."

Read the SOS Story and a biography of SOS Founder 


Jim Christopher


Thank you at SOS International for this web page.  To see all of the web site go to

webmaster
Duaine Metevia

Save Our Selves (SOS)
4773 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90027
Phone# 323-666-4295
SOS@CFIWest.org

Find a Meeting
If you want to become a part of SOS let James Christopher know you're out there.  If there is no meeting listed in your area, it could mean that there are people in your area who are waiting for more people to come forward and start a meeting.  The way meetings start are people contacting the clearing house and leaving their contact info.  Some cities only have phone contacts, people who will talk to you or meet with you for coffee so please leave your contact info; don't miss out.

Disclaimer
IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS, YOU SHOULD SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE & GUIDANCE. FROM A DOCTOR !
THE IDEAS & INFORMATION HERE ARE NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. 
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