I was drowning in a riptide of addiction. It was pulling me under and leaving me helpless to fight against its powerful pull. Unmaneageable The time had finally come to try accepting that I was an alcoholic and an opiate addict. It was also time to take on that frightening first step that Alcoholic Anonymous … Read More
Dear One, As you challenge yourself to stay sober, I write to you as a fellow addict. I am hoping to bring solace and a bit of comfort to your day. Of course, we do not know one another, yet we truly are kindred spirits. Our journeys are likely different in content and likely similar … Read More
Like so many things in life, the more effort you put into something, the more you get out of it. This is certainly true of group therapy. Whether you are in a 12 Step meeting or any other type of session filled with people dealing with common challenges. Ironically, the success of a “group” comes … Read More
We’ve all felt the disappointment of one of our heroes messing up. America’s most recent scene of disappointment comes in the form of the arrest of 22-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps. Phelps was arrested for a DUI this past week in his home town of Baltimore, MD. Jail or Rehab? In situations like this, we … Read More
This September marks the 25th annual celebration of National Recovery Month. The simplicity of this year’s theme—“Speak Up. Reach Out,” demonstrates the community’s continued effort to smash addiction’s stigma. “Hi, I’m an alcoholic. But I still have a family, and love to play, and laugh, and feel valued. I’m no different from you, really.” Statements … Read More
Alcohol and drugs consume us to the exclusion of all else. Friendships become strained and broken because of our errant behavior. Professionalism at work disappears. Family ties are sacrificed for our own immediate needs. We come to the point where we have alienated the very people that we love the most. Eventually we find ourselves … Read More
In early sobriety, I was asked by my sponsor to write a daily gratitude list. I recall answering in this fashion, “Gratitude? You’re kidding, right? What do I have to be grateful for? My life sucks and you want a gratitude list?!” My First Gratitude List That first list was short and sweet: “I am grateful … Read More
Many people are reluctant to admit they have a problem with drugs and alcohol, and that’s understandable. Addiction is a serious illness that renders the victim powerless over their substance use—something no one ever wants to deal with. But it’s important that you do deal with it, otherwise, addiction can cost you in more ways … Read More
I drank like an alcoholic for many years before I knew I had a problem. I drank at night, during the afternoon, during the day. I drank before advising sessions in college and at 8 a.m. Frequently, I drank to the point of blackout. I had a problem. But why didn’t I realize it? Psychologists … Read More
“Hi, my name is Katie and I’m an alcoholic and addict. Thank you for inviting me to share my experience, strength and hope. I’m a little nervous—a lot nervous, actually. This is a new experience for me. Here goes nothing… My beginnings I was raised in a fairly affluent family. My Dad was an alcoholic that … Read More
