GOOD NEWS - IT'S BEAUTIFUL

I am writing this on the fifth of January, the first day back at work following the Christmas and New year holidays.

During the past three weeks there has been the usual increase in telephone calls and letters that have come, in my mind, to be associated with this time of year.

Some of them are sad - bordering on heartbreaking. They tell of relapses, planned as experiments, and unplanned. Both kinds end up in various degrees of disaster, some to be quickly remedied and some to have ongoing unpleasant and unhealthy extensions. We do what we can to help a person to minimize the impact of the consequenses.

It is heartening to be able to say that there is an equal number of calls and letters that tell a much happier story. I had literally dozens of telephone calls from people who wanted to let us know at Donwood that this was the first, second or fifth Christmas that they had enjoyed in a sober state and how much this has meant or continues to mean to them. We could share that sense of happiness with them. It brought a good feeling. Good news is beautiful.

But can we say that one group is a success and the other failure? I don't think it is quite that simple. There is something too temptingly tidy about that conclusion.

How many of us can truthfully make the claim that we overcame our problem or problems on the first attempt? Can we at any stage of recovery - one year or ten - claim a cure.

Dr. Bell has described the Donwood Community as a Caring Community. I sincerely believe it to be just that. A community that cares for all its members. A community that continues in an understanding and constructive manner to help other achieve the states of well-being that those of us who are more fortunate already enjoy.

Let's spread the good news:

MIKE WILSON

Mike was on staff at the Donwood Institute when this article was written in February, 1976