“The people he met, the places he passed, were all steps in his journey, and he kept a place inside his heart for each of them.” –Rachel Joyce Samuel—a blacksmith Samuel is a blacksmith. His hands are gnarled and permanently gray. For years he has watched as horses trot toward him and away from him. … Read More
Ah yes, that wonderful Disney movie that little girls everywhere have memorized and that has cemented the Oscar-winning song in our heads. (Are you singing it already?) Well, Frozen reminds me of addiction. And I’m not talking about the trap of addiction this movie has on your eight-year-old daughter. If you’ve seen Frozen or know the storyline, did you … Read More
What is it like to go to rehab? What is your biggest fear about coming to rehab? What even is rehab? When asked, many of Duffy’s guests replied that their biggest fear was the unknown. What should I expect? Will I like it? And no wonder people worry. When most people think of rehab, they … Read More
I recently finished re-reading 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery by Allen Berger, a recovery classic for people in early recovery. I almost forgot what a great book it was. Allen Berger condenses twelve common pitfalls that can mess up recovery and teaches us how to avoid them with the clarity and wisdom of a man with … Read More
Elizabeth Edwards is an award-winning singer, songwriter who sings about the emotional journey of addicts through recovery. We were able to pull Elizabeth away from her busy schedule and ask her a few questions about her recovery story. I think you’ll find her answers moving. Can you give us a basic outline of your recovery … Read More
If you’re familiar with the recovery process, you know that detox usually comes first. Most rehab centers include medical detox in their programs, but is it really necessary? Is it possible to safely detox from home? The answer depends on your loved one’s addiction and health history. Detox offers the safest and most comfortable way to clean out the … Read More
How do you select an alcohol & drug addiction treatment center? Selecting a treatment program that best suits the values, needs and personality of your loved one who is struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction can take hours of research and thoughtful consideration. First, it’s stressful because we’re talking about the quality of life … Read More
We are grateful for many things in our recovery, but one of the greatest blessings of all is living in a land of freedom. We can pursue our passions, start businesses, hold private meetings, voice our opinions, and pray to a God of our choosing. So many things we do in Twelve Step meetings are possible only because of … Read More
Robert Downey Jr. is in the news again for addiction. Except this time it’s about his 20-year-old son, Indio Falconer Downey. Police arrested Indio for cocaine possession on Sunday. I can’t speak for Indio or his family, but this event got me thinking about addiction, lies, media, and the family. The lies addiction makes you … Read More
Substance dependence and other addictions are influenced by many factors including genetics, environment and personal character, but the family plays a key role in shaping the development of children. Because children often take on the habits of their parents, family dynamics are very important. Healthy parenting is one of the most powerful factors in preventing … Read More
