Since our founding in 1967, Duffy’s has consistently implemented and utilized the 12 step approach from Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous programs.
“So this is Christmas And what have you done Another year over And a new one just begun And so this is Christmas I hope you have fun The near and the dear ones The old and the young A very merry Christmas And a happy New Year Let’s hope it’s a good one Without … Read More
Do we truly need to get and stay sober? Do we really need to accept that we can never have another drink or another drug? Obviously, my answer is a resounding, “Yes!” I chose 18 years ago to travel down the road of sobriety. I have attended thousands of meetings over that time period and … Read More
You just finished up your treatment program. Your body is 100% drug/alcohol-free, and you feel ready to return home to start a new life of sobriety. You’re a little nervous, but excited, and ready to restore relationships, return to work, and sit around the dinner table with your family again. What you may not realize, … Read More
As our time of thanks nears, I am recalling the many Thanksgiving meals I have attended. Generally, the group that I’m with will pause before indulging, and share the things they are grateful for. Health, having a job, and being with loved ones’ seem to prevail as standard statements. Everyone that I am close to … Read More
In my second year of sobriety, I took my first sober vacation. Cape Cod, Massachusetts Low on sufficient funds, a friend and I traveled locally to Cape Code, Massachusetts. We rented a campsite next to a small lake. There were showers and a pavilion in case of inclement weather, and that was about it! The … Read More
When my life reached rock bottom, there was nowhere to go but up. Alcohol and prescription drug abuse had left me in a desolate, unhealthy place. Divorced and without custody of my son, I felt that only death could be worse. This was me, a true alcoholic and drug addict. I can see in my … Read More
Recently, I heard someone say, “AA is nothing but a cult.” Honestly, I had similar reservations when I went to my first meeting. Several AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) fellows introduced themselves prior to the start of that session and after a bit, I asked, “Is this like—you know, like a cult?” AA—A Fellowship One woman laughed … Read More
There are healthy and unhealthy ways to face our fears. Looking back, I realize I chose the unhealthy route. Drinking and drugging myself into addiction seemed to be my only option as I struggled with my adult boogie men. Yes, I was genetically predisposed to addictions, and I certainly had experienced my fair share of … Read More
[Dedicated to C. Greaves, counselor, who could confidentially say, “I tell people what they already know, but have hidden from themselves.”] As a young adolescent, I found myself to be the class joke. Overweight, awkward, tall and acne-ridden, I was prime material for that role. I suppose one could speculate that my classmates chose me … Read More
“Constantly talking isn’t necessarily communicating.” –Charlie Kaufman We communicate in many ways. We use touch to say unspoken words. Our eyes are the “windows to the world” and our bodies turn and gesture in an intricate dance of conveyance. Addiction found me sorely wrapped up in myself and my conversation topics followed suit—I talked about … Read More
