This is an exciting time–your loved one is coming home from treatment! But how should you prepare to help them? How will help them in this new recovery stage? What should you say to support them? What do you do if they falter? And what about all the practical questions–like job, hobbies, and events on the social calendar?
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
14 months ago, I left Duffy’s and I had no idea what or how my new found sobriety was going to go. Dreams of an Alcoholic I came home to a house absent of any alcohol and have a wife and step-son that are completely happy and supportive. I do not have the cravings for … Read More
There’s something magical about New Year’s. There is a feeling that has nothing to do with the glitter of party lights or the boom of fireworks and an atmosphere alive with expectations unrelated to presents or Santa Claus. It all comes down to one thing: New Year’s means new beginnings and second chances. As a time … Read More
It doesn’t matter where you live; New Year’s is the wettest day of the year as people across the nation celebrate by breaking out the booze. During a time where everyone is drinking, it may seem like those in recovery are the only ones not swimming in party hats, sparklers, and empty beer bottles—and makes … Read More
I signed in to Duffy’s on August 10, 2010 and you ain’t going to believe what’s happened to me since. This is so insane! Well, I got sober, stayed sober and then went on to have a miracle, or several, actually. They haven’t stopped coming! Before going to Duffy’s, I’d had cancer and, as a … Read More
This year, Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) celebrates its 78th anniversary. Boasting 3.5 million members participating in some 180,000 groups around the globe, A.A. and its 12 Step program has grown into an organization with tremendous impact. Even in its earliest days A.A. had the same two basic rules: Desire to stop drinking Keep yours and other … Read More
With Thanksgiving being so late this year, Christmas is really sneaking up on us. Can you believe it’s only 9 days away!? If your life is anything like ours, it’s easy to get consumed with all the shopping, sending out Christmas cards, baking and everything else, that we forget to just relax for a few … Read More
Being sober and social is hard—especially during the holidays. Everyone knows the holiday season brings with it many opportunities for drinking. The 12 days of Christmas, bringing in the New Year, getting distant family together and other holiday festivities all seem to invite alcohol back into the house. For a recovering, or recovered addict, the … Read More
If you’ve been in recovery for many years, your attitude towards holidays has probably changed a lot since your first years sober. At first maybe you worried about how to just get through the holidays sober. But now, with so many sober turkeys under your belt, you’re the one giving the advice. Sure, you still have … Read More
Alcoholism: A Three-Fold Disease I once heard someone say in a meeting, “Alcoholism is a three-fold disease: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.” And for newbies in recovery, that pretty much sums up how we feel about the disease of addiction—especially at this time of year. Why? Because holidays are a mixed bag of conflicting emotions and desires. … Read More
