MORE HELP ON THE WAY FOR ADDICTS, ALCOHOLICS

LifeRing, a recently developed approach to assist those affected by alcohol
and/or drug problems, new to B.C. is making its way to Oceanside.

LifeRing has evolved as a self-help organization for those seeking total
abstinence from alcohol and other medically non-indicated addictive drugs.
The meetings are secular, not involving either belief or non-belief in
religious or spiritual matters.

People take responsibility for their own personal recovery, develop a
program suited to their own particular background and needs, and meet on a
regular basis to give support to each other. Family members can be part of
the process.

Membership in other self-help groups is not a problem as the goals are
generally the same with only the methods differing.

Anyone with a substance abuse problem is welcome.

LifeRing is an option but is not meant to detract from the benefits of
membership in any other self-help organization. It does provide an
alternative for anyone who may not have been able to develop a reasonable
comfort zone or resolve their difficulties by other means. Attendance at
other forms of self-help are not an issue as far as LifeRing is concerned.

LifeRing meetings are designed so people are seated in a circle and kept
small enough that everyone can participate. The meetings focus on what is
currently happening in the lives of the members.

"How was your week?" is the question asked of participants.

One individual has the role of convener and guides the meeting. People are
not required to label themselves as "alcoholics or addicts," the only
expectation being that they have the desire to be clean and sober.

Respect for confidentiality of others is requested.

Long stories about past alcohol and drug-related exploits are not
encouraged, and attack or confrontational behaviour is not permitted. There
is no discussion of religion or politics, nor is trashing of other recovery
approaches supported. A civil, positive tone for the meeting is the desired
atmosphere which all are expected to respect. What is covered at the
meeting will be determined by those who are present.

The goal will be to provide each participant with information of value to
him or her in their quest for a lifestyle that will enable them to attain
the goals that are important to them.

For further information please call 1-877-752-1058 regarding the time, date
and location for the first official meeting of LifeRing in the
Parksville-Qualicum Beach area, and its initial introduction to B.C.

For those online, the Web site is www.unhooked.com where access is now
available to online meetings and a full explanation of the concepts of
LifeRing can be reviewed with much material for free downloading. Books and
various pamphlets are also previewed on the site.