“If nothing changes, nothing changes.”
-Earnie Larsen
Earnie Larsen is a nationally known author and lecturer and a pioneer in the field of recovery. He has authored and produced more than 55 motivational self-help books. His most outstanding work is found in the creation of the Stage II™ Recovery process. He has a MRE degree in Theology and Education, a degree in Counseling and accreditation in Chemical Dependency and Family Counseling. Earnie has been a counselor for over 30 years and has spoken to sellout crowds all over the world. Earnie has been heard on hundreds of radio stations and appeared on TV shows such as the Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN and the Sally Jessie Raphael Show. His newest book is called The Healer's Way...Bringing Hands-On Compassion to a Love-Starved World.
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Stage I is about arresting the addiction or surviving the crisis. Stage II™ Recovery, which Earnie created in 1985, is about understanding the triggers and imprinting that left us vulnerable in the face of substitutes. Whether the process of trying those substitutes is called co-dependency, shame based living, adult child sydrome or any other label.
Stage II™ Recovery requires discipline, practice, and the ability to refuse to let the past rob you of your present. Choosing this new, healthy road isn't as easy as it sounds. The assumption is that you know and recognize the difference between the past and the present. Often this is not the case at all. Not recognizing the difference between yesterday and today can mean less choice and freedom in your life.
Stage II™ Recovery answers will seldom be found in Stage I recovery groups. They have different focuses, and that's okay. Keep in mind, one stage is not better than another. There can be no Stage II if Stage I has not been won. Recovery does not end with sobriety.
