With the launch of the new Recovery Workshop, those having already started the old workshop will have some decisions to make. Should you stay with the old workshop or move to the new? Should you pick up where you left off or start from scratch? The purpose of this writing is to provide you with enough information so that you can choose what is in your best interest.

What's DIfferent in the New Recovery Workshop?

A lot. Especially in the early and late parts of the workshop. The old workshop was written back in 2001-2002 and was based on what I knew to be true about recovery. Since that time, I have had the privilege of learning from thousands upon thousands of individuals who have both succeeded and struggled in implementing the workshop over the past five years. This knowledge was the force in driving the workshop to its current state.

What has been added?

In general, what has been added has been a measurable structure to facilitate one's accountability. The new workshop is broken down into 'days' rather than 'lessons'. There are many reasons for this, but the primary reason is that the overwhelming majority of those who have succeeded in their recovery have measured their recovery through daily action, not simply task completion.

Second, while the original workshop focused on developing a functional awareness of addiction and the individual tools needed for recovery; it was weak in helping people to develop the context in which to apply that information. In coaching hundreds of individuals live, this weakness became glaringly obvious and so, I have rewritten the first few weeks of the workshop to assist you in building that foundation. These first two weeks will be difficult, no doubt. But I took the approach that if someone feels that what they are being asked to do is 'too difficult'...or they can't find the time to prioritize this development into their lives...then they would not have succeeded anyway. Not yet, anyway. Not with that frame of mind.

Third, while the original workshop was fairly linear (i.e. you learned a skill, then learned a different skill, then another...leaving the application of those skills in real life to you), the new workshop is progressive and evolutionary. The skills that you learn early on will be evolved as a part of the workshop itself. This evolution is the biggest reason why the lessons have grown from 41 to 86. Many of the later lessons are not as comprehensive as the earlier lessons, because they focus on evolving and ingraining previously learned skills.

Fourth, health monitoring is a key in just about every person who has successfully transitioned from addiction to health. Yet, in the previous workshop, this was barely addressed. Only in coaching was it taught--and even then, with short-sightedness. The new workshop has a built in Health Monitoring program that walks an individual through the process of developing the monitoring tools, evolving those tools and eventually, naturalizing them for use long after the addiction has ended.

What has been removed?

Not a lot. Some of the old exercises (especially those with strong theoretical, but little practical application) have been eliminated and/or replaced. But thankfully, much of what I shared five years ago remains just as relevant today and so, the majority of changes to the workshop were additions to fill the holes not yet addressed, rather than eliminations of what was not relevant.

What remains?

Much of what you have already learned in the old workshop will be available in the new as well. Many of the old lessons have been updated and some even rewritten completely. The biggest difference you will find is the order of presentation--where many of the skill development lessons have been moved up in the workshop, with the fringe topics being moved to the end. This was done in response to the observation that many who struggled in the previous workshop had gained much knowledge, but few tools to integrate that knowledge into.

So, what should I do?

Unfortunately, there is no absolute answer here. I strongly encourage EVERYONE to switch over to the new workshop--as it makes little sense to continue to use a tool that is not nearly as efficient as another that you have access to. But how to do that can create a bit of a hiccup. When the recovery checklist is back up and running, the answer will be easy. Simply input all of the tasks/lessons that you have already completed...then start from the top and fill in the rest. But until that checklist is available, you will need to measure out your next steps in weeks, not 'workshops'.

Take note of the work you have already done in the old workshop, then begin with Lesson One in the new. Just review this first lesson as it will be fairly consistent with the first lesson in the old workshop. From there though, the similarities over the next two weeks end. So, take these next two weeks to complete each lesson. Hopefully by that time, the checklist will be up and further guidance will be unnecessary. Otherwise, I will post an addendum to this thread to take you through the 'next' week on your path.

A few odds-and-ends:

• Continue to use your Recovery Thread as you have been. If you were on Lesson 16 of the old workshop and are now switching to Lesson 2 of the new workshop...label this Lesson 2. I will be able to see what is going on.
• Do not misperceive this situation as being an obstacle to your recovery. It is not. It is an enhancement. You are lucky in that you will now have the opportunity to avoid even more potholes that previous people had to manage blind. Will you have to do extra work because of the launch of the new workshop? Yes. But it is necessary work. Work that will significantly enhance your overall abilities to manage a healthy life.
• Do not misperceive this situation as having to 'start over'. Unless you feel the need to review past lessons to shore up your awareness of the concepts being taught, don't. Should you come across a lesson that 'sounds familiar'...or that you are certain that you did in the 'old workshop'...don't repeat it just because it is there. Skim through it...see if you already understand what it is talking about and if you do...move on to the next lesson. The same goes for exercises. Don't repeat an exercise unless you have a specific, personal reason for doing so.
• If you are unsure about anything, contact me.