You Have Downloads Available by John B.
“The fact that the human race has evolved to this point is conclusive proof of the existence of a Higher Power.” I have come to realize that my brain is like a computer, and it’s Operating System known as Alcoholic/Obsessive-Compulsive 1.0 has viruses, outdated programs and mal-ware in it. In the same way that I […]
Fear…Bugaboo by John B
I am grateful that I am not dead. Because, If I was dead I would not get to learn how it all turns out; and I really want to find out! I’ll bet that it doesn’t even come close to the way I think it will. I heard there are actually some 25 year […]
Client Quotes…(You Can’t Make this Stuff Up)… By Mike H
Client: I don’t think I need to stay at a half-way house after treatment.Therapist: Why not?Client: My boyfriend has an apartment that’s about half way between here and my job. Client: I am not in denial – I am not an alcoholic.Therapist: How do you explain 3 DUI’s?Client: Easy. All the guys I work with […]
Living The Life Unconscious by John B
This post is about living an unconscious life. The tragedy is that, by its very nature, when you live “unconsciously”, you tend to be unaware of it! To be fair, it is very difficult to pay attention when you are busily engaging the addict/alcoholic through addictive behavior, either by obsessing about your addiction or actually […]
One Less at Happy Hour by Mike H
Many clients enter treatment with the affect of an abusive history, usually dating back to childhood. They speak safely, avoid eye contact, and tend to isolate themselves. This is how they learned to take care of themselves in their abusive, chaotic environment. “If they don’t know I’m here, if they can’t see me or hear […]
It’s a Miracle by John B
Let me say a few words about depression and anxiety: I hate them both! And they are related to each other like evil twins; an incestuous brother and sister act. For those of you that don’t actually have a diagnosis of depression or anxiety, you are the lucky ones. For those of us that do, […]
Man in the Mirror by Jim D
Surrender and acceptance is key to my program on a daily basis today, without it I think (KNOW) I’d drive myself crazy and more than likely lean toward a relapse. In the beginning of my recovery it was all about staying clean and not drinking or using drugs, which I thought was my only problem. […]
Dog Paddling by John B
So I had this moment the other day. It had only been a couple of weeks since I had stopped working my program, and I was feeling pretty squirrelly. I’m always surprised when this happens, of course. I usually have no idea what is going on. Why do I feel so uncomfortable, I think. Am […]
Just Do It…by John B
Think About this: According to a bunch of really smart people, the majority (95 percent) of the observable universe is made up of stuff that nobody knows what it is…..they call it Dark Matter and Dark Energy. That means that the earth and everything we can see from it makes up less than 5 percent […]
Resistance is Futile by John B
He boldly strode out to the bow of the ship and shouted into the wind, as loud as he could manage, “I’m King of the WORLD!” (But said it mostly to impress some girl.) And then, “No, wait, I’m standing on the mother-bleeping TITANIC…..!” “Crap……!!!”, was all he could manage after that. For a long time after […]
Other People’s Opinions by John B
I have been a prisoner of what I like to think of as OPO, for a very long time. See, all I was trying to do, when I came to recovery, was stop the insanity. That’s it. I had no idea that there would be so much of it involved (and that it would be […]
It’s Not Brain Surgery by Mike H.
Why, Why, WHY do addicts insist on make a simple program so difficult? (Answer: The need to control every minute of their daily life). A client once asked me, “How are going to stay sober today?” I replied, “Well, let’s see….I’m not going to drink any alcohol.” “Good, good” replied the client (as he took […]
It’s a matter of perspective…by Bob J
Recently while driving to work I happened to see the reflection of an egret in the very still waters of a small lake; the image that I saw was very elongated and made the egret appear larger than life. It was a beautiful sight and a great start to my day but it got me […]
I am so sensitive, you just hurt my feelings by John B
Growth Here’s how I know I am growing: I am uncomfortable. That’s why I resist it so much! I have heard it said that the 12 steps is a “Million Dollar” program. Well, people like me get it jammed up our assess one nickel at a time!! Ego My ego so fat…..The back of its […]
I’m fine by John B.
So, OK, I admit it…..occasionally, I like to wear a nice red bloody wound! See, I was taught by my parents in subtle ways to pretend everything is OK, even though it’s not, and this has been extremely difficult training to break. Of course, when I do break it, it can lead to a “recovery […]
My Little Negativity Generator by John B
I am afraid of my brain; I have good reason to fear it, too. You see, my brain is very much like a computer, it can be used for good, or evil….. and I am the programmer! This is not good news because I naturally lean toward negativity and disaster. And I am really good […]
I’m Not Santa by Mike H
I remember my grandiose thoughts during my first year as an addictions therapist – I would give the gift of recovery to my clients. Wow, look at the Ego on me! I quickly learned that recovery wasn’t something I could just hand over to someone – I didn’t have that kind of power. What I […]
Beliefs and Other Things “I Know” by John B
We all have belief systems that we use to make sense of the world. Wikipedia (it’s the only website I can view at work) says this about them: “The British philosopher Stephen Law has described belief systems (including belief in psychic powers and alien abduction) as “claptrap” and said that they “draw people in and […]
Setting Yourself Free by Stephanie B.
Addiction – such a bad word, connotating images of paper bags, dirty men under the bridge and bottles of cheap wine. In reality, however, it is more likely the middle-class, middle-aged man or woman sipping, gulping, hiding, working, and striving to cover up their daily struggle of keeping up the façade of “I’m okay.” The […]
What recovery means to me…
I have been thinking about my recovery from alcoholism and how to explain what it means to me. It means emerging into the light instead of living in darkness It means waking up instead of coming to It means knowing who I am instead of pretending what I want to be It means finding meaning […]
Problems Other than Alcohol
It took me a long time to realize that I am not alone with my character defects and mental illness issues. There are others in meetings who suffer as I do, who have problems other just their “addictions” with which to deal. There are those with mental and emotional problems, people with personality disorders, control […]
Thinking way too much, by John B.
Hello. My name is John and I’m and alcoholic. My sobriety date is Oct 17, 1984 and I’m grateful to be sober today. I understand that it’s very difficult getting sober, I really do. But staying sober? Dude, that’s the real work. See, I don’t have this. I like to think I have this, but […]