There are hundreds of Mutual Aid groups around the place, all working to the same principle, namely ‘put a bunch of people with the same problem in a room together and see what happens’. This week, we’re looking at how powerful groups can be, and at how they can become dysfunctional. Also, we look at how all 12-Step groups have the same purpose but approach it differently, and we consider how easy it is to spend so much time bothering with other people’s business , that we can forget our own.

Can we go too far and forget ourselves when helping others? While altruism plays a critical part in our recovery, is there a point where it takes over and we forget what we need to do for ourselves? This week, we’re talking about trying to maintain that delicate balancing act, whereby we are able to help other people without sliding into co-dependency, resentment or neglecting our own wellbeing. Also, we’re looking at how we have to ask for help and be honest about it!

It’s not me, it’s everybody else! Sometimes we say this in spite of ourselves. Are we always aware of what we look and sound like, particularly when agitated? How big does an entertainment system in a vehicle need to be? What is AI really for? This week, we’re talking about these questions and more, including the many faces of volunteering, experiences of school and our attitudes towards our former jobs in recovery.