Addiction can affect anyone. We often associate addicts and alcoholics with those living on the streets, but in reality, drug and alcohol addiction can affect anyone. At Duffy’s we recognize the reality that your addiction has become a disease in your life and needs to be treated. Therefore, we embrace the medical model that your addiction is a disease, and we use the social model—which includes education, counseling, and peer support—to treat it. The following blog posts and articles are designed to help you to better understand the disease of addiction.
The short answer to this question is it depends—it depends on your response to questions like: How do you define God? What does it really mean to believe in something? Do you have to be spiritual to believe in God? What does it mean to be spiritual? How does someone become more spiritual? These are … Read More
Making it through a loved one’s addiction can be very challenging. Exploring the stories and opinions of others can help and encourage you through this period of your life. Below you will find a list of five of our favorite recovery books for families. For each book we’ve included Some of our favorite quotes Kindle … Read More
I began drinking in my early 40s. I was a wife and a mother . . . and a complete wreck. Depression and anxiety saw me living each day in a place akin to hell. At that point in time, I sought to do anything that would give me relief from those symptoms. Drinking worked … Read More
I recently got to sit down with Lia, a counselor at Duffy’s and talk about the ups and downs of dating in early recovery. There are so many opinions out there when it comes to romantic relationships in the program and her wise insight cut through all the clutter and confusion providing practical tips relevant … 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
