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A2D - From Addict to Disciple

A2D - From Addict to Disciple

By A2D -from Addict to Disciple


The path From Addict to Disciple may be the path less traveled, but it is the path that makes all the difference!

David Hain is the founder of From A2D, has attained the designation of International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and authored From Addict to Disciple, The Heart of an Addict, and From Ashes to Destiny. He equips people to work with addicts in prisons and communities in the US, Canada and Africa.

These podcasts will focus on finding freedom from the emotional wounds which result in addiction.
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#35 - Short Game vs Long Game

A2D - From Addict to DiscipleNov 30, 2020

00:00
14:36
# 208 Say No To Mockers

# 208 Say No To Mockers

Who are the mockers in your life? Those people who are always teasing you or showing contempt. What is a mocker in your life? The things that drain your energy or maybe dilute your hope. What are the things that you give in to them because you think it's no big deal. Then you find out they caused you to return to full blown addiction. Listen to this episode to see how to say no to mockers.
Mar 25, 202412:42
# 207 Good Judgment

# 207 Good Judgment

Today's episode is a group session. Our guys in recovery share their reactions to this quote by American humorist Will Rogers "Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." I hope you can hear a nugget of good for you in their answers.
Mar 18, 202412:12
# 206 Ikigai, What's Your Purpose?

# 206 Ikigai, What's Your Purpose?

In this episode we look at the Japanese concept of Ikigai which translates as our reason to live. The four elements of Ikigai are: 1) your passion - what you love, 2) your vocation - what you're good at, 3) your mission - what the world needs and 4) your profession - what you can be paid for. We're not looking to have you develop a new five year plan, but how you can apply these concepts in your everyday life.
Mar 11, 202413:43
# 205 Glimmer of Hope

# 205 Glimmer of Hope

This is a walkabout episode as we walk together in Glimmer of Hope Park. Many you asked for this topic after you listened to episode # 202. I hope you enjoy this look at how we find a Glimmer of Hope in the darkness that surrounds us and crushes our incentive to risk hoping again.
Mar 04, 202412:36
# 204 Go Upstream

# 204 Go Upstream

In today's group episode or guys in recovery discuss the quote by Desmond Tutu "There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they're taking in." Listen to our guys input about faith, connectedness, fellowship and relationship as well as their warning to not pull someone out too soon.
Feb 26, 202412:37
# 203 Slowly Dying

# 203 Slowly Dying

Today's episode is a walkabout. Join me as we walk through a park dedicated to the poetry of Pablo Neruda, Chilean who won the Nobel Prize for Literature. In this path we look at his poem entitled "You Start Slowly Dying." We'll use his poem to see ways that we may be slowly dying in our addiction and begin to uncover small steps of life that we can start taking today.
Feb 19, 202414:09
# 202 Gather Your Glimmers

# 202 Gather Your Glimmers

Do you know what glimmers are? Well, think of them as the opposite of triggers. In this episode we look at the importance of knowing our glimmers, seeking them out, gathering them and understanding how they are related to each of our five senses. I hope as you listen to this episode you will see how glimmers let you know that the world is okay!
Feb 12, 202412:09
# 201 Flat Tire

# 201 Flat Tire

In this walkabout episode we go on a walk on Flat Tire Trail. The trail has that name because many of us don't realize that we have attitudes in our life that have become a flat tire. Listen to this episode to understand what your flat tire may be and to find the encouragement to change that attitude, change that flat tire, so you can reach your destination in life.
Feb 05, 202412:59
# 200 Celebrating 200 Episodes

# 200 Celebrating 200 Episodes

Join us on celebrating 200 episodes as guys in recovery from the US, South Africa and Australia share their favourite memories from this podcast and why they like being part of it. If you're not in a group please feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to get you connected.
Jan 29, 202412:01
# 199 Feeling Lonely? Hold On!

# 199 Feeling Lonely? Hold On!

Today's episode is another walkabout as we look at emotional, social and existential loneliness. Being lonely is a physical state. Feeling lonely is an emotional state. Today we dig into the emotions of loneliness and being broken or brokenhearted. Two key quotes from this episode are: "The only thing keeping you from being happy is the belief that you are alone." by Anna Draper and "What a lovely surprise to finally discover his unlonely begin asking can be." by Ellen Burstyn
Jan 22, 202415:45
# 198 Addiction is Prison

# 198 Addiction is Prison

This episode is a walkabout to reflect on the prison of addiction and things that made us feel like we were in chains. Here's two opening signs as we enter the park for this walkabout: 1) Addiction imprisons your mind, your body, your spirit, your soul. We put ourselves in that prison. We don't need to be arrested by the police. 2) A quote by Keith Richards "I've never had a problem with drugs. I've had problems with the police "
Jan 15, 202412:41
# 197 Addiction - Who Me?

# 197 Addiction - Who Me?

Let's take a walkabout together to look at addiction and where we or our loved ones fit in the spectrum of substance use disorder. On this walk we'll look at the 11 evaluation criteria of the DSM 5 as well as a variety of other definitions of addiction. Is it a disease? A brain disorder? Bondage? Or simply choosing to chase pleasure?
Jan 08, 202416:21
# 196 Revolving Door

# 196 Revolving Door

Have you ever said to yourself "I can get clean, I just can't seem to stay clean"? Does it seem like every door to recovery that you try is a revolving door, which only leads to relapse and return to rehab for another try at sobriety? Today we look at four stages of recovery: stability, strategy, security and freedom. These help us focus on the journey of recovery and how to get out of the revolving door.
Jan 01, 202414:23
# 195 F-E-A-R

# 195 F-E-A-R

Today we look at several acronyms for fear and how they apply in recovery. This is not another time of saying False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear is a real emotion. We need to look at our response to fear when it rises up. Maybe you're one who has always responded with Forget Everything And Run. Now is the time to develop the strength, courage and confidence to Face Everything And Rise!
Dec 25, 202311:04
# 194 Patience or Revenge

# 194 Patience or Revenge

Today is a group episode with our friends in recovery from the US and South Africa. Listen to their insight as they share their experience about the journey from wanting revenge to sitting still in patience. They share their wisdom in response to this quote "If you sit by the river for long enough, you will see the body of your enemy float by." As you listen remember that "The more anger you hold in your heart towards the past, the less capable you are of loving the present."
Dec 18, 202314:27
# 193 Power Over Your Mind

# 193 Power Over Your Mind

Do you struggle with negative thoughts and intrusive voices? Do you find yourself informed by these thoughts and reacting with poor choices? Then it's time to begin to develop Power Over Your Mind! Marcus Aurelius reminds us that we do have power over our mind and that helps us to avoid getting caught up in outside events. He also said "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." Listen to this episode for ideas on improving the quality of your thoughts and gaining Power Over Your Mind.
Dec 11, 202314:49
# 192 The Greatest Poverty

# 192 The Greatest Poverty

Enjoy as you listen to our group of six guys in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US as they react to the following quote by Mother Theresa "We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty." I'm sure they will touch your memories and your hearts as they describe their greatest poverty, how they number the pain and how they found healing.
Dec 04, 202314:60
# 191 Slippery When Wet

# 191 Slippery When Wet

Do you find yourself slipping and stumbling in your recovery? Today we look at what causes us to lose our footing in recovery. AND then we discuss four things we can do to get our foundation established and have strong and stable footing in recovery. We don't have to live in fear of slippery floors or road surfaces as we travel our journey of recovery.
Nov 27, 202310:36
# 190 The Damage Done

# 190 The Damage Done

What is the damage done by your years in addiction? In this episode we look at many areas of damage and how we learn to accept them with grace in our recovery. How do we find grace when we're battling so much grief for all that we lost because of our addiction? One of the keys is realizing that in our addiction we knew the price of everything and the value of nothing! In recovery we begin to find the splendor of the value of things by gracefully accepting the damage done.
Nov 20, 202313:59
#189 Manage Your Triggers

#189 Manage Your Triggers

Today's group episode looks at the necessity of learning to manage the triggers that you cannot avoid. This includes people like friends and family, places like work situations and family gatherings, and things like money or thoughts that tempt us. Our guys in recovery share the things they employ to help them manage their triggers like pictures of their new life, honesty about how we can be our own worst trigger, scripture verses and song lyrics. If you want to join a group to help you Manage Your Triggers please message me.
Nov 13, 202315:13
# 188 Momentum or Mediocrity

# 188 Momentum or Mediocrity

Are you stuck in mediocrity? Do you struggle to keep your momentum going as you walk in recovery? In this episode we look at things that slow down our momentum, drain our energy or sap our enthusiasm. How can we get our momentum back when we find ourselves sliding into that same old level of mediocrity? I believe a key is in the choices we make every day. Choices in the moment have enormous weight when they become momentum!
Nov 06, 202314:39
# 187 Precious Books

# 187 Precious Books

Today's group episode looks at books or quotes that are precious to each of us in our recovery. The guys in the group react to this quote by Wilferd Peterson "It is time to browse through the precious books that have meant the most to you, that you may rediscover illuminating phrases and sentences to light your pathway to the future." I hope as you listen to this episode you will be motivated to "rediscover" your previous books and hold them close.
Oct 30, 202317:45
# 186 When Opportunity Knocks, Be Home!

# 186 When Opportunity Knocks, Be Home!

The old proverb says that opportunity knocks but once. This has led to that "seize the day" mantra. In today's episode we look at what keeps us from seizing an opportunity and how we prepare to know if the opportunity is the right one for us. We're challenged with the thought of opportunities seeking you rather than you chasing after them. And what we think about squandered opportunities. Enjoy, listen and share with your friends.
Oct 23, 202311:59
# 185 Forgiveness! What Do You Want?

# 185 Forgiveness! What Do You Want?

Today's episode deals with making amends. Got other episodes on this topic check out #44 and #131. In this episode we look at our hopes as a result of making amends. Do you hope for reconciliation in your marriage, in the lives of your children, etc? Do you hope to have your status as head of the household and your respect and dignity restored? Are these hopes even realistic? Listen to this episode and see.
Oct 16, 202311:35
# 184 Unwanted, Ignored or Misunderstood

# 184 Unwanted, Ignored or Misunderstood

This episode is another group session with my friends in recovery from the US, South Africa and Australia. I'm sure you will be motivated as you listen to their answers to this question: One issue in recovery is developing compassion for those parts of ourselves that are unwanted or ignored or misunderstood by those we care about. Can you share one part of yourself that is important to you but not so much to others?
Oct 09, 202312:50
# 183 Strong in Recovery? Resilience!

# 183 Strong in Recovery? Resilience!

What keeps you strong in recovery? Is it stuff like meetings, programs, or a good job? Today we look at the importance of learning how to be resilient in the midst of all the burdens, demands, expectations, pressures and stressors we gave every day in recovery. How do we bounce back from life's situations and circumstances before they knock us down emotionally? Before we turn to our old comforters to numb the pain? The answer is resilience!
Oct 02, 202315:01
# 182 The Flip Side

# 182 The Flip Side

What does "catch you on the flip side" mean? Where did that phrase come from? Today we look at writing our flip side of life. A chance to start over and to turn from our past vices to tomorrow's virtues. What have we learned from the past? What good aspects of our past can we hold onto in our recovery? I hope you enjoy today's episode.
Sep 25, 202313:42
# 181 The Best Version of Yourself

# 181 The Best Version of Yourself

In today's group session episode we look at this question. People say we all have 3 versions of ourselves: 1) the person you think you are 2) the person other people see and 3) the person you really are. What does it mean to be the best version of yourself? How do you live that out or walk in it? Listen as our guys in recovery reflect on this questions.
Sep 18, 202314:35
# 180 Another Look at Self Sabotage

# 180 Another Look at Self Sabotage

Are you someone who always says the grass is greener on the other side of the fence? Do you find yourself hesitant at new opportunities in recovery? Are you focused on and always talking about the things you can't do? If so, then this episode is for you. Remember "There is no flak jacket against self sabotage!" See episode #120 for more on Self Sabotage.
Sep 11, 202313:28
# 179 World View vs Kingdom View

# 179 World View vs Kingdom View

This episode is another group meeting with guys in recovery from the US, Australia and South Africa. Listen to their ideas on the differences between the world view of being identified because of our past behaviors vs the kingdom view of finding your identity in your faith. Hear how each guy looks at his past, finds strength and safety in the present, and has hope for the future.
Sep 04, 202312:20
# 178 Passion, Purpose and Compassion

# 178 Passion, Purpose and Compassion

In this episode we take a look at what we do in From A2D. How we are motivated by all three: passion, purpose and compassion to walk in living what we do and sitting love for people caught in the snare of addiction. Not simply focused on fixing them or having them come right, but helping them find healing and wholeness. We do this by meeting them where they are at and listening to their feelings, not judging their behavior. The quote by Rumi has become our focus "Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray."
Aug 28, 202311:50
# 177 Quicksand and Second Wind

# 177 Quicksand and Second Wind

Let's look at those situations and relationships we get ourselves into where we feel like we're stuck in quicksand and it's going to swallow us up. Why do we keep running back to the same people and situations that are quicksand to us? We need to not just deal with it, but to process it and feel it so that we can find our second wind which will carry us through to better days ahead.
Aug 21, 202311:29
# 176 Course Correction

# 176 Course Correction

We all need to develop a lifestyle of course correction to keep us focused on our destination. It's normal to get distracted, side-tracked or to veer off course every now and then. The key is to continue the journey, not stop and wallow in the shame of our mistake or the self-pity of the unfair thing that happened to us. Winds change and we need to learn how to keep sailing regardless. A good tool would be to develop your own "course correction inventory" AND begin to use it!
Aug 14, 202314:19
# 175 Complicated Grief Group

# 175 Complicated Grief Group

Today's episode is a group session as our guys in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US share their feelings from episode # 173. Listen to their just of complicated grief in seeing the hurt their children carry, in stab wounds from the church, in physical and mental Spectra that make us feel like we're 70 even though we're 40, and in more aspects of grief. Listen, share with a few friends and help each other find healing and wholeness.
Aug 07, 202315:36
# 174 More Grief!

# 174 More Grief!

Today's episode is a walkabout on last week's Complicated Grief episode. We'll look at four listeners' comments as they reached out to me with their issues of grief. Maybe you feel like everyone is ready to throw stones of condemnation at you. Or you now realize that you have glossed over many things that you should have processed earlier in life. Perhaps you were an introvert in a family of extroverts and still feel the pain of being an embarrassment to your family. Or maybe you're dealing with the pain of not being trusted, even by the church that you have turned to for strength and support in your recovery. If any of this sounds like you, then this episode is for you!
Jul 31, 202311:33
# 173 Complicated Grief

# 173 Complicated Grief

Today's episode is about an often overlooked aspect of recovery, Complicated Grief. Specifically we'll be discussing the grief about the things we lost as consequences of our addiction. This includes things like: the loss of your marriage, the ability to see or maintain a relationship with your kids, loss of your career, your house, etc. This grief can settle in as our new core value AFTER we have started recovery. If so the result is relapse!
Jul 24, 202313:20
# 172 What Garden Do You Need to Plant?

# 172 What Garden Do You Need to Plant?

This is a group session podcast as the guys share what they would plant in their garden that would be a good reminder in their journey of recovery. What trees, bushes, tall grasses, short grasses, teas, herbs and flowers would you plant AND why? Listen as the guys share their thoughts and share this episode with friends.
Jul 17, 202310:30
# 171 What are your Core Values?
Jul 10, 202312:16
# 170 Dealing With Judgement

# 170 Dealing With Judgement

This episode is a group meeting with the guys in recovery from the US, Australia and South Africa. The discussion question is "How do you deal with being hurt by the church (people in your church and other believers) when they judge where you're at in your recovery from the world's perspective? Listen to advice from "stay in your lane" to "draw close to the ones you trust." You'll also hear the journey to becoming unoffendable and the painful walk of hurt from church leadership. We end by saying "I'm not Humpty Dumpty!" Listen to find out why.
Jul 03, 202315:30
# 169 I Got Time

# 169 I Got Time

In this episode we look at the belief that we have time to change and we can wait until we're ready. But before we know a decade has gone by and we're still caught up in pornography, drugs or alcohol addiction. When asked what's the biggest mistake we make in life the Buddha replied, "The biggest mistake is you think you have time." Yes time is free, but it's priceless. Don't squander your time and waste the hours away until one day you wake up and tell years have gone by and you're still stuck. I like the anonymous quote "You can't give your life more time, do give the time you have left more life."
Jun 26, 202311:06
#168 Forbidden Fruit

#168 Forbidden Fruit

Are you tempted by forbidden fruit? Is it because you're rebellious? Or maybe you're innocently curious because it's "forbidden". In today's episode we look at why we want to grab ahold of forbidden fruit and how we can get empowered to break free from that temptation. Share it with two friends and chat with each other about your journey in this area.
Jun 19, 202314:46
# 167 Father's Day, No Thanks!"

# 167 Father's Day, No Thanks!"

This is a walkabout episode where I "meet" four people and ask for their thoughts about Father's Day. Listen to how they are handling not seeing dad on Father's Day. One young man never met his dad and now he's deceased. Another who never met his dad is dealing with the fact that now that he's 25 his dad wants to meet him. The third is an elderly man who could never live up to his dad's expectations. The fourth is a mom who will not allow her dad to be part of her childrens' lives. Listen and share with a friend, or maybe your dad.
Jun 12, 202310:05
#166 Day Tripper

#166 Day Tripper

We take a walkabout on "Motivation Mountain" for today's episode and look at questions like: Are you always trying to take the easy way out? Looking for shortcuts? Sliding through life without facing challenges or handling consequences? If the answer is yes, you may be a day tripper! As we walkabout we look at motivational quotes feeling with adversity, pushing through, believing in yourself, staying optimistic and making every day count. Join me on this walkabout and share with your friends.
Jun 05, 202310:24
# 165 Xylazine - Why are they putting it in MY drug of choice?
May 29, 202316:52
#164 Fentanyl - Why are they putting it in MY drug of choice?

#164 Fentanyl - Why are they putting it in MY drug of choice?

We've heard about the opioid epidemic in the US for years. Are you aware that we're hearing more about it as more overdoses occur? And that the spike in annual overdoses is directly related to the introduction of fentanyl as a profit making additive into many illicit street drugs. In today's episode we'll look at what fentanyl is and why dealers would sell drugs laced with fentanyl if so many people are dying of overdose. This is a "must listen" episode. Please share it with your friends and neighbors.
May 22, 202312:56
# 163 Choose Wisely, Forgive Yourself

# 163 Choose Wisely, Forgive Yourself

Dr. Fred Luskin said, "There is a season for our suffering and regret. We have to have that. But the season ends; the world moves on. And we need to move on with it." In today's episode we look at the need to forgive yourself as the wise choice to move on from pain and suffering. Can you believe in yourself enough to forgive and love yourself?
May 15, 202311:31
# 162 Voices in My Head

# 162 Voices in My Head

In this episode we look at the voices in our head that often prod us to use or act out in our addiction. How do we silence these voices? Do they only go silent when we take them to their "home" in addiction? The key to silence those voices is to stay in the present. I hope you find the tip of how to stay connected to your five senses as an effective way to silence those voices.
May 08, 202313:28
#161 All Things Must Pass

#161 All Things Must Pass

Today we'll look at the things that we hold on to or cling to so tightly that they begin to redefine us. We stay focused on the thought that everything happens for a purpose, that it has come to pass, like a natural flow of events. How can we learn that the only constant in life is change? The best way to embrace change is to allow all things to pass.
May 01, 202312:43
#160 I Feel Disrespected

#160 I Feel Disrespected

Today's episode is a walkabout where I share feedback from four listeners. They each talked about how they feel disrespected. Has being disrespected become your normal, your comfort zone? How do you handle it when someone actually accepts you? What boundaries have you learned to put up over the years of disrespect? Well, the best boundary is learning to speak up and tell people what you like and don't like. Don't let anyone get comfortable with disrespecting you!
Apr 24, 202312:19
#159 Victims and Fear

#159 Victims and Fear

This episode is in response to comments and questions from listeners to episode # 158 "Victims of Violence." The listeners said they don't struggle with violence but paralysis caused by fears. Fear of getting hurt again. Fear of trusting anyone. Feeling that everyone has and will always be against them. One listener shared their struggle to learn to be grateful for what they have instead of hateful for what they lost. I want to encourage you to listen and share this episode with two friends and then sit down with them, talk about your fears and learn the secret of life in conquering fears everyday.
Apr 17, 202311:15