Guidance by Clara W.
When I meditated on the word “guidance,” I kept seeing “dance” at the end of the word. I remember that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn’t flow with the music and everything is jerky and uncomfortable. When one person relaxes and […]
Spring Fever by Tina B. & Susan K.
The excitement of spring affects us all. There is something in the air that makes us feel more energized, alive and raring to go! Remember all those newfound loves that blossomed in the spring (and fizzled in the fall)? Remember those days of playing hooky (only to serve detention)? Remember shopping for new spring clothes […]
The Skydiver by John B.
I am a sober alcoholic, and in my never ending quest to live a rich, full life and experience sobriety to its fullest, here is what I did a couple years ago on the 4th of July. The air at 13,500 feet is cool and dry. It is a welcome relief from the stultifying ridiculous […]
I Became Willing; Now I am Grateful by Mark F.
My name is Mark F, and I’m a recovering alcoholic. I came through Turning Point in 2004, and prior to that my life was a mess. I was a daily drinker. I was drinking up to 5 pints of brandy a day. My life revolved around my drinking, from the time I woke up in […]
Surrender to Win? by Erin G.
Five and a half years ago, I was at the height of my addictions. I say “addictions” plural because there wasn’t just one. I woke up in the morning to go to my corporate job and the first thing I did when waking up may not surprise you. I didn’t brush my teeth or take […]
23 Years Later, Reflecting on the Basics by Ellen S.
June 1991, I arrived at Turning Pont of Tampa with one suitcase in hand after spending 30 days at Father Martin’s Ashley. My heart was heavy; I was scared, frightened, feeling so hopeless and alone, feelings I am sure so many of you had walking through these doors. Twenty-three years later I am blessed to […]
The Hole Concept by Erinne L.
I heard a funny story recently, about a woman who had a smart little pup that she taught an interesting trick. The lady would put a real dog bone on her sofa and her dog would jump up, “pretend” to furiously dig a hole in the sofa, then “pretend” to bury the actual bone, then […]
Rigorous Honesty by Margery Porter
This article is being posted in memory of Margery Porter, BS, CAP, CEDS (May 19, 1942 – November 29, 2004). Marge was a beloved friend, mentor, therapist and devoted member of Alcoholics Anonymous who shared much of her experience, strength and hope with Turning Point of Tampa. The 1st Step in 12-Step Recovery, “We admitted […]
Negotiating with your Higher Power by Mike H.
Sometimes I remember when I would promise my Higher Power I would never drink again if only I would stop being sick, not lose my license, not have everyone mad at me, not go to jail, etc. I guess we have all been down that road. This is my favorite story about making a deal […]
Abstinent Recipe of the Month: Garlicky Herbed Meatloaf
GARLICKY HERBED MEATLOAF 1 lb. ground turkey 2 lb. ground beef 1 tsp. thyme 1 tsp. marjoram 3 cloves (lg.) of fresh garlic 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce 1 egg Add all ingredients to meat mixture and shape into loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 40 minutes. Portion Size: 4 oz Protein
Have a little faith by Jennifer M.
My treatment center had faith in me even when I didn’t think they did, and it seemed they wanted me out of the facility when I had no idea what I had done. Two times my counselor did miraculous things in helping me realize what I had not before. Mind you, I’d been to two […]
Message from a Penny by John Y.
I had about 60 days clean and was meeting my sponsor at a meeting. We met in the parking lot for fellowship before the meeting. On the way into the meeting, I saw a penny on the ground and pointed it out to my sponsor. He told me to pick it up and I asked him why. […]
Spring Cleaning by Erinne L.
It’s spring again, and let’s just say life hasn’t been all roses and butterflies of late. In fact, the last two years have been pretty daunting, at best. In 2012, I lost 9 people including my dear Dad and former sponsor. 2013 wasn’t much better, though nobody up and died on me…I started to die […]
Abstinent Recipe of the Month: Salad & Ranch Dressing
ZERO SALAD DRESSING 1 medium onion 4 cups tomato or V8 juice 1/2 cup lemon juice Salt, pepper, garlic, parsley to taste Peel onion and cut into pieces. Process in blender with 1 cup tomato juice until smooth. Add remaining tomato juice and lemon juice. Process until well blended. Stir in seasonings to taste. Makes […]
Food Addiction, by Lori Herold, RD, LD
If you had asked me years ago if I believed that food could be an addiction like alcohol and drugs, I would have said “no”. I did not distinguish between an overweight individual and someone who was truly addicted to food. I also did not recognize that normal weight and underweight people could also be […]
The Price of Recovery by Erinne L.
When I saw this sign outside of a liquor store, I laughed hysterically. Maybe for a lot of people, booze IS cheaper than therapy. Then I wondered what my tally sheet would really look like…. perhaps therapy and recovery were more expensive? Being curious and a bit bothered by the thought, I sat down and […]
Priorities by Mike H.
I have 26 years in recovery and 19+ years working at a treatment facility for adults. I am still amazed at how many of us make our recoveries much more difficult than they need to be. The terms “in your head,” “over-thinking it” and “over-analyzing things” come up a lot. Those who are working recovery […]
It Really Does Work by John Y.
In April 2007 I went on a mini vacation to an NA convention in the Florida Keys. I was tired and needed a break. When you hear that “recovery is hard work” I can tell you they are not kidding. We in the rooms of recovery see so many newcomers come and go that I wanted […]
What’s Food Got To Do With It? by Clara W.
Before abstinence, holidays meant food, birthdays meant food, vacations meant food, socializing meant food and waking up in the morning meant food. Basically, there wasn’t anything in my life that didn’t mean food. I was either bingeing or planning my next binge. Life was passing me by without my awareness. From Halloween through New Year’s, […]
When the pain gets great enough by Cassandra V.
I will never forget the day I got clean. I was more broken than I had ever been in my life. I hadn’t lost anything on the outside, but I was completely dead on the inside. I hated everything about me and everything I had become. At this point in my life I was willing […]
Abstinent Recipe of the Month: Texas Chili
Turning Point of Tampa supports 12 step recovery for those suffering with an eating disorder. Eating Disorders are progressive, addictive, dangerous and potentially fatal. Please enjoy this recipe and share the hope that recovery is possible. TEXAS CHILI 4 oz. diced beef or chicken, cooked weight 1/2 cup tomato sauce Chili powder to taste Simmer […]
The Real Gift by Joan B.
Now that the holidays are over and all the store-bought gifts are given, we can focus on the “Real Gift.” In recovery, it is important to continue to give of ourselves; with these gestures, we enrich our own lives. Stopping and helping a newcomer, or sometimes an old-timer; listening and sharing the principles of the […]
Whats food got to do with this blog?
Turning Point of Tampa supports 12 step recovery for those suffering with an eating disorder. Eating Disorders are progressive, addictive, dangerous and potentially fatal. We will be featuring one abstinent recipe each month in order to share the hope that recovery is possible. Johnny Marzetti ½ cup steamed spaghetti squash or 1 cup of vegetable […]
Getting clean, coming clean & staying clean by Ashley N.
I got clean when I was 25 and definitely did not think I had a problem with alcohol. I came to treatment at Turning Point of Tampa with one goal in mind: stop using drugs. Alcohol was not even on my radar as a problem. I remember making several phone calls to friends from college, […]
