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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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When Someone You Love is Struggling.

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 21, 2017 9:00:00 AM / by Sherry Gaugler-Stewart posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, family recovery, Drug Rehab, Family Sober Support, Recovery Program

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Currently there is a situation in my life that doesn’t have any direct impact on me, and yet it’s been on my mind and on my heart.  Someone I love is struggling.  It’s deep and painful, and it’s difficult to watch.  I’ve often thought that if I had to choose between my own heartbreak, and the heartbreak of someone I love, I would choose my own time and time again.

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Don't Quit Before the Miracles Happen.

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 13, 2017 9:30:00 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 steps of aa, Drug Rehab, Recovery Program, Drugs Adiction

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This weekend, I will be an A.A. Speaker at the “Rogue Roundup” in Grant’s Pass, Oregon. Although I have spoken at a number of A.A. roundups, this will be the first one on the west coast. I’m the last of nine speakers, most from California, and I follow the famous Clancy I. One difference between the Los Angeles speakers and myself is that I don’t have a dramatic drinking story. I drank quietly, and I never got arrested. Because I don’t have a “war story” to present, I’m going with four important things I’ve learned in A.A. so far.

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What is My Purpose in Life?

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 7, 2017 6:00:00 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, AA Big Book, Drug Rehab, Recovery Program, Drugs Adiction

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Most people ask this at some point in their lives. I started out confused. I came from a crazy, violent alcoholic family in the 1950’s that also had upper middle class Republican Party professional values. I was expected to do well in school, go to college and graduate school, have a profession and be a success. I was also torn to shreds, physically and emotionally for any real or imaginary flaw. I drank and drugged every hour of every day from age 10 to age 40. Thirty years of struggle to be somebody. I collected an education and a profession, one confused academic credit at a time. Then I got sober and suddenly, I was fully conscious. Now, what?

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Embrace Grace

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 5, 2016 11:00:00 AM / by Kara F posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, Recovery, Drug Rehab, Recovery Program, Chemical Dependency

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I’m a big fan of the word grace.  Not just because it’s a pretty and hopeful word, but because of the significance it holds in recovery and in life in general.

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Parenting: Progress, Not Perfection

[fa icon="calendar'] Sep 22, 2016 9:00:00 AM / by Chris Nehotte posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, Drug Rehab, Drugs Adiction, Chemical Dependency

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Jerry McAuley, A Hero of Recovery

[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 31, 2016 11:27:20 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, Recovery, Drug Rehab, Drugs Adiction

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The Steps are the Principles and That is That

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 9, 2016 11:40:29 AM / by Dick Rice posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 steps of aa, AA Big Book, Drug Rehab, 12 Traditions Of AA

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So there I was, preparing to present to my home group, praying that I might learn something new, at least for me, in the very preparation.  You would think I would have learned by now to be careful what I pray for – how often have I gotten it!  Yes, the Divine struck yet again and here is what I learned:

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Addiction and Public Perception

[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 4, 2015 10:28:52 AM / by Staff Blog posted in alcoholism, Recovery, Drug Rehab, Drugs Adiction, Chemical Dependency

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For the American public, addiction is a taboo but extremely common topic. Children take drug education classes beginning in middle school, learning that drugs will 'fry their brain' and cause them to become a ‘burnout’ or a failure. People frequently joke that something is ‘like crack’ or that they are ‘shopaholics.’ Some of the most heated political debates center on issues like drug testing for welfare recipients or the legalization of marijuana.

Even though over 23 million Americans are in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, it seems that many who aren’t still do not know how to address addiction when they encounter it in their everyday lives. 

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West Virginia Has the Nations Worst Rate of Drug Overdoses

[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 4, 2015 10:24:32 AM / by Staff Blog posted in substance abuse, Drug Rehab, Recovery Program, Drugs Adiction, Chemical Dependency

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The state of West Virginia has recently been noticed for a considerable increase in the amount of heroin overdoses. The state is facing a five fold increase since 2010. President Barak Obama  is spearheading a solution to this problem to promote change and drug addiction prevention because the state is lacking in resources to publicly address this concern of rising rates. Although, the cause of these overdose rates are ambiguous, the signs point to the states poverty levels, unemployment rates, as well as individuals who families used drugs.

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