Since our founding in 1967, Duffy’s has consistently implemented and utilized the 12 step approach from Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous programs.
We sit around the table at my parent’s cottage on the lake, the afternoon light reflecting off the water, blinding me through the windows and casting a golden hue on us. This is how I remember everyone, in this light, at this time of day. This is my family, like flawed angels with makeshift halos … Read More
“Imagine trying to live without air. Now imagine something worse.” ― Amy Reed, Clean The stairway railing splintered into dozens of pieces. Two holes in the bedroom sheet-rock and a kicked in door completed my tirade. Forever a pacifist, I was told that I had spit on a police officer and shouted obscenities from the … Read More
Recently, I had a discussion with a new friend. Upon hearing that I was sober, he asked, “Isn’t the whole AA thing a bit ridiculous? I mean, why bother?” It became clear as he continued that he thought that attending meetings on a regular basis, often for years on end, was unnecessary. “Go, do those … Read More
“Admitting that he is somewhat at fault, he is sure that other people are more to blame.” —Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book, page 61 My addiction was absolutely everyone else’s fault. If my parents had been more attentive to my emotional needs, if my husband had been more loving and if my friends weren’t so self-centered, … Read More
“Yes, there is a long period of reconstruction ahead…” –Alcoholics Anonymous, Big Book, page 83 I often find myself baffled by all that I have accomplished in my sobriety. Now, I’m not talking about wealth or fame—I’m referring to a quality of life, peaceful days, if you will. I use the word ‘baffled’ because I was … Read More
Recently, I asked my adult son to tell me which time in his childhood was the best and which was the worst. First, he animatedly described a favorite, gleeful story. Then his persona changed. Feeling the Guilt of the Past For the worst memory, he recalled my period of alcoholism and drug addiction as he … Read More
According to the AA glossary, the phrase “Stinking Thinking” refers to an alcoholic’s reversion to old thought patterns and attitudes. Stinking thinking may include, blaming others, alcoholic grandiosity, fault-finding, self-centeredness, and skipping meetings. Stinking thinking should act as a warning sign that one is getting precariously close to their next drink.” Lately, I’ve had to work … Read More
“There can be as many wrong reasons to do the right thing as there are stars in the sky. There might even be more than one legitimate right reason. But there is never a right reason to do the wrong thing. Not ever.” ― Domita K. Paul Values—right from wrong. How incredibly twisted these get when … Read More
Leaving an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting about an hour ago, I feel so out of sorts. A Destiny of Despair A woman who is about my age, (59) had gone back to the bottle. In the meeting, she unabashedly shared “I don’t care if I am drunk. It was my destiny to be an alcoholic … Read More
Nicknamed “Silky,” William Silkworth (1873-1951) was an American medical doctor and specialist in the treatment of alcoholism. In the Big Book, we find his words in, “The Doctor’s Opinion,” pages xxviii –xxix. “…Men and women drink essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol. The sensation is so elusive that, while they admit it … Read More
