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An Ex-Head Speaks Out

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 14, 2020 7:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Recovery, Drug Rehab, Support Group, Chemical Dependency, Drug Addiction

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An excerpt from The Cathedral Crusader published February 28, 1979.

Author’s Note: This article was published nine-months after I got clean and sober. My high school newspaper asked me to write a story about going through treatment. I was glad to do so. The published story set off alarm bells with the school administrators and it led to changes in school policy toward drug and alcohol use.

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How the Charlie Daniel’s Band Helped My Family into Recovery

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 5, 2020 2:15:11 PM / by Maj Donovan posted in family recovery, substance abuse, Drugs Adiction, Treatment Program, Chemical Dependency

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I found sobriety in the summer of 1978. I had been severely addicted to mood altering chemicals for six years. I hit bottom, went into a Substance Use Disorder treatment center, and started practicing a recovery program in August of 1978.

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How Do I Express Love?

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 12, 2020 4:27:16 PM / by Maj Donovan posted in family recovery, alcoholism, Family Sober Support, Drugs Adiction, Chemical Dependency

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“Love and tolerance of others is our code”. (Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 84)

Several years ago, close to Valentine’s Day, I was listening to the radio one morning on my drive into work. The radio host asked the above question to the listening audience. Immediately, the phoneline was inundated with dozens of phone calls from listeners all offering sage wisdom on the topic. However, one caller’s comments have stayed with me all this time. He responded with, “Love isn’t a noun – it’s a verb”.

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Where is this Spiritual Awakening?

[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 29, 2019 2:13:44 PM / by Kara F posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 steps of aa, AA Big Book, 12 Traditions Of AA, Chemical Dependency

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“Step 12 says “as a result” of these steps.  It doesn’t say you can work on the steps if and only if you first have a spiritual awakening.  So I needed to start over and work on steps 1-11 first. "

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Getting Sober at 17 yrs old.

[fa icon="calendar'] May 10, 2017 11:06:29 AM / by Peter H posted in substance abuse, Drug Rehab, Recovery Program, Drugs Adiction, Chemical Dependency

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I grew up in Mtn. View, California and at the age of 17, I found myself at a crossroads. Once my addiction had reached the point of requiring professional help, my Mom and I went to see a doctor that specialized in chemical dependency. When the doctor came to greet us, he was not what I expected. He was an older gentleman that appeared as if he only knew medicine rather than being able to possibly comprehend what I was going through. He sat us down and said to my Mom…”You are basically putting Band-Aids on the problem…if your son does not stop what he’s doing…he’s going to die.” I could tell my Mom was fighting back the tears and doing her best to remain strong. The doctor went on to tell us about a treatment center in Minnesota that could help.

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Are We Showing Up For Our Own Recovery?

[fa icon="calendar'] May 1, 2017 5:00:00 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, Drug Rehab, Recovery Program, Drugs Adiction, Chemical Dependency

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There is a Woody Allen saying that is often misquoted as “90 percent of life is just showing up.” What he actually said was "Showing up is 80 percent of life. Sometimes it’s easier to hide home in bed. I’ve done both.” (New York Times, August 21, 1977). I find that showing up is terribly important, because for me it has been difficult.

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Having the Courage to be Weak.

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 29, 2017 9:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, AA meetings, alcohol abuse, Recovery Program, Chemical Dependency

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I deployed to Tallil, Iraq in January of 2007.   When my transport plane landed, I got worried.  Would I hold up under combat conditions?  Would I remember my training or, would I wither in the face of fire?  I deplaned and stood on the tarmac to get my bearings and there a few hundred meters from my location I saw a church steeple.  I thought to myself “before I do anything else, I’m going to go into that church and just say a quick prayer of gratitude to God for getting me safely to Iraq.”   

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Unlocking Your Truth.

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 15, 2017 9:00:00 AM / by Kara F posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 steps of aa, 12 Traditions Of AA, Recovery Program, Chemical Dependency

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Yesterday I broke a little. OK, since I am talking about unlocking truth, I think I actually broke a
lot. I sort of shattered.
 
This process of recovery...its more than putting down my substance. Although that was the first
obvious step, and a struggle in itself, nobody could prepare me for the journey that lay ahead
once I got sober. As I write this, my desire is to fill a page with positive and encouraging words
that will uplift and give hope. But today I am not feelin’ it and am in the midst of unlocking some
truths. Truths about myself and my character. Truths about my past and the harm I have done.
Truths about the harm that I endured through others. Truths about the fear I am allowing myself
to live in.
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Addicted to Self Will?

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 11, 2017 9:00:00 AM / by Kara F posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, substance abuse, AA Big Book, Recovery Program, Chemical Dependency

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 Hello my name is Kara and I am addicted to self-will!

Page 62 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states “So our troubles, we think , are basically of our own making.  They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot”…..um….bummer!  I don’t know about you but I have never lived in peace and riot at the same time.  Of course, I have given it one heck of an effort, but the 2 don’t mesh.  Ultimately, through experiencing both peace and unrest, I decided I would like to choose peace.  It’s one or the other. And I like peace!

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One Day at a Time.

[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 30, 2016 9:00:00 AM / by Jenna L. posted in alcoholism, Recovery, Sober Housing, Support Group, Chemical Dependency

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This simple phrase I’ve been hearing since I walked into the rooms of recovery. Today I realize it means just as much to me now as it did when I couldn't stop obsessing over a drink.

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