---
title: Blog | John MacDougall
description: "John MacDougall is the Spiritual Care Coordinator at The Retreat.
\nHis book, “Being Sober and Becoming Happy” is available from Amazon.com"
---
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## John MacDougall
John MacDougall is the Spiritual Care Coordinator at The Retreat.
His book, “Being Sober and Becoming Happy” is available from Amazon.com
Find me on:
[\[fa icon="facebook-square"\]](https://www.facebook.com/theRetreatonline) [\[fa icon="twitter-square"\]](https://twitter.com/theretreatmn)
## Recent Posts
[](https://blog.theretreat.org/a-sobriety-story-and-a-drinking-story)
## [A Sobriety Story and a Drinking Story](https://blog.theretreat.org/a-sobriety-story-and-a-drinking-story)
\[fa icon="calendar'\] Dec 15, 2025 11:36:46 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [12 Steps](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps), [Recovery](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery), [12 steps of aa](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps-of-aa)
[\[fa icon="comment"\] 2 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/a-sobriety-story-and-a-drinking-story#comments-listing)
*Trooper Brett Lee and Kimberly Slavens, now 10 years sober. *
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous reminds us that we are not cured of alcoholism. What we have is a daily reprieve from alcohol, based upon the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Our book also cautions against angry outbursts, saying “The grouch and the brainstorm are not for us… for us, these things are poison.” Here I present a grateful sobriety story and an angry drinking story, both from this week’s newspapers in mid-December, 2025.
[Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/a-sobriety-story-and-a-drinking-story)
[](https://blog.theretreat.org/whats-in-a-name)
## [What’s in a Name?](https://blog.theretreat.org/whats-in-a-name)
\[fa icon="calendar'\] Oct 27, 2025 7:59:59 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [12 Steps](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps), [Recovery](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery), [12 steps of aa](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps-of-aa)
[\[fa icon="comment"\] 0 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/whats-in-a-name#comments-listing)
When my little sister shot and killed her husband, my older sister thought it was because she drank too much whiskey. She sent her a case of wine, thinking that it was the whiskey that caused the trouble, and wine would be much safer. We alcoholics frequently have the same kind of magical thinking that we can find a form of alcohol or a drug that won’t give us all the trouble that we have been experiencing. The same thing happens with all the varieties of drugs that are out there on the open market.
[Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/whats-in-a-name)
[](https://blog.theretreat.org/make-friends-with-that-curb-because-it-will-teach-you-what-you-need-to-know)
## [Make Friends With That Curb, Because It Will Teach You What You Need To Know](https://blog.theretreat.org/make-friends-with-that-curb-because-it-will-teach-you-what-you-need-to-know)
\[fa icon="calendar'\] Oct 23, 2025 8:56:59 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [12 Steps](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps), [Recovery](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery), [12 steps of aa](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps-of-aa)
[\[fa icon="comment"\] 1 Comment](https://blog.theretreat.org/make-friends-with-that-curb-because-it-will-teach-you-what-you-need-to-know#comments-listing)
Every Wednesday, I teach classes on addiction and mental health at a residential program in downtown San Antonio for men and women who have been recently homeless. I have the men for an hour, and then the women.
A new woman came early for class. She had picked up a copy of my book there, “Being Sober and Becoming Happy”. The book made sense to her about recovery, and AA seemed to make sense to her, but she said she had one problem: neither my book nor AA were Christian, and she is.
[Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/make-friends-with-that-curb-because-it-will-teach-you-what-you-need-to-know)
[](https://blog.theretreat.org/right-thing-right-now)
## [Right Thing Right Now](https://blog.theretreat.org/right-thing-right-now)
\[fa icon="calendar'\] Sep 4, 2025 1:15:00 PM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [12 Steps](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps), [Recovery](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery), [12 steps of aa](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps-of-aa)
[\[fa icon="comment"\] 1 Comment](https://blog.theretreat.org/right-thing-right-now#comments-listing)
In the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous, we read “We are not cured of
alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of
our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will
into all our activities.” The book suggests a constant meditation on what God wants us
to be doing, all through the day.
[Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/right-thing-right-now)
[](https://blog.theretreat.org/how-is-our-spiritual-maintenance)
## [How is Our Spiritual Maintenance](https://blog.theretreat.org/how-is-our-spiritual-maintenance)
\[fa icon="calendar'\] Jun 17, 2025 9:55:09 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [12 Steps](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps), [12 steps of aa](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps-of-aa), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book)
[\[fa icon="comment"\] 0 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/how-is-our-spiritual-maintenance#comments-listing)
I have always loved to travel, but I was afraid to fly. To overcome my fear of flying, I took flying lessons at the airport, on a Beechcraft Sport single engine airplane, and got a license. Once I understood airplanes, the FAA, and the air traffic control system, I lost my fear of flying. The keys to the whole system are following directions and doing the maintenance before every single flight. Most pilots are fanatical about maintenance. I have been on airliners where the pilot refused the plane because one toilet wouldn’t work. Everything on that airplane has to be in proper shape or the pilots refuse it. Safety is number one.
[Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/how-is-our-spiritual-maintenance)
[](https://blog.theretreat.org/step-eleven-and-a-new-kind-of-prayer)
## [Step Eleven and a New Kind of Prayer](https://blog.theretreat.org/step-eleven-and-a-new-kind-of-prayer)
\[fa icon="calendar'\] May 7, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [recovery process](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-process), [12 Steps](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps)
[\[fa icon="comment"\] 2 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/step-eleven-and-a-new-kind-of-prayer#comments-listing)
“Step Eleven: We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. “
---“Alcoholics Anonymous” page 59.
[Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/step-eleven-and-a-new-kind-of-prayer)
[](https://blog.theretreat.org/will-artificial-intelligence-be-a-good-substitute-for-aa-or-na)
## [Will Artificial Intelligence be a good substitute for AA or NA?](https://blog.theretreat.org/will-artificial-intelligence-be-a-good-substitute-for-aa-or-na)
\[fa icon="calendar'\] Mar 4, 2025 8:51:00 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [recovery process](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-process), [AA meetings](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-meetings), [Recovery Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program), [Treatment Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/treatment-program)
[\[fa icon="comment"\] 1 Comment](https://blog.theretreat.org/will-artificial-intelligence-be-a-good-substitute-for-aa-or-na#comments-listing)
I read in the Wall Street Journal about Artificial Intelligence software programs now doing therapy for mental illness. With a bit of exploration, I found that A.I is also treating addiction. I am skeptical that A.I. will be a successful approach to treating a disease that we know to be “cunning, baffling, and powerful”.
[Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/will-artificial-intelligence-be-a-good-substitute-for-aa-or-na)
[](https://blog.theretreat.org/we-are-human-souls)
## [We Are Human Souls](https://blog.theretreat.org/we-are-human-souls)
\[fa icon="calendar'\] Jan 8, 2025 8:34:10 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [recovery process](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-process), [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book), [Recovery Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program)
[\[fa icon="comment"\] 0 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/we-are-human-souls#comments-listing)
One of my favorite writers is David Brooks, who writes a column for the New York Times. He normally writes about politics, government, and public affairs. I was surprised to find a column last month about faith. His title was “The Shock of Faith, It’s Nothing Like I Thought It Would Be.” It was published on December 19, 2024, and if you have access to the New York Times website, you can read it there.
[Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/we-are-human-souls)
[](https://blog.theretreat.org/thanksgiving-counting-blessings-overcoming-the-past)
## [Thanksgiving: Counting Blessings, Overcoming the Past](https://blog.theretreat.org/thanksgiving-counting-blessings-overcoming-the-past)
\[fa icon="calendar'\] Nov 20, 2024 9:13:09 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcoholics-anonymous), [recovery process](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-process), [12 Steps](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/12-steps), [Recovery Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program)
[\[fa icon="comment"\] 2 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/thanksgiving-counting-blessings-overcoming-the-past#comments-listing)
“We thank God, from the bottom of our heart, that we know Him better.”
---Alcoholics Anonymous, page 75.
[Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/thanksgiving-counting-blessings-overcoming-the-past)
[](https://blog.theretreat.org/there-is-no-situation-so-bad-that-a-few-drinks-cant-totally-screw-it-up)
## [There is No Situation So Bad That A Few Drinks Can’t Totally Screw It Up](https://blog.theretreat.org/there-is-no-situation-so-bad-that-a-few-drinks-cant-totally-screw-it-up)
\[fa icon="calendar'\] Apr 1, 2020 8:00:00 AM / by [John MacDougall](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall) posted in [AA Big Book](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/aa-big-book), [Recovery Program](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/recovery-program), [Alcohol & Health](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/alcohol-health), [COVID-19](https://blog.theretreat.org/topic/covid-19)
[\[fa icon="comment"\] 2 Comments](https://blog.theretreat.org/there-is-no-situation-so-bad-that-a-few-drinks-cant-totally-screw-it-up#comments-listing)
At the beginning of April 2020, I’m writing this blog at home. I am on a leave of absence from The Retreat due to the Covid-19 virus. I’m not sick, but I’m in the ‘high risk group”. I’m 71 years old and have long term asthma that is easily activated. My wife, Priscilla, who almost never gets sick, may have had an incredibly short case of this disease. She ran a fever for less than a day, she was confused, had aches and pains, and slept. In one day, it was gone. She’s 81 years old.
[Read More \[fa icon="long-arrow-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/there-is-no-situation-so-bad-that-a-few-drinks-cant-totally-screw-it-up)
[All posts](https://blog.theretreat.org/all) [Next \[fa icon="angle-double-right"\]](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/john-macdougall/page/2)
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- [Dede Armstrong (3)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/dede-armstrong)
- [Jake Lewis (2)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/jake-lewis)
- [Chris Nehotte (2)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/chris-nehotte)
- [Alex Curtiss, M.A. (2)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/alex-curtiss)
- [Jenna L. (2)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/jenna-l)
- [Pam Broz (2)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/pam-broz)
- [Nancy Kaley (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/nancy-kaley)
- [Ellie Hyatt (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/ellie-hyatt)
- [Rich Murphy (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/rich-murphy)
- [Phil F. (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/philip-farzanegan)
- [Lisa D. (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/lisa-d)
- [Stephen Crane (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/stephen-crane)
- [Paddy O (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/paddy-o)
- [Connie Lawrence (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/connie-lawrence)
- [Bob Bernu (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/bob-bernu)
- [Lisa Speedling (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/lisa-speedling)
- [Kevin J (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/kevin-j)
- [Jake L (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/jake-l)
- [Women in Recovery (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/women-in-recovery)
- [Judge Shaun Floerke (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/judge-shaun-floerke)
- [Peter H (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/peter-h)
- [Deb Wuebker (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/deb-wuebker)
- [Jay R. (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/jay-r)
- [Cecil B (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/cecil-b)
- [Lisa G. (1)](https://blog.theretreat.org/author/lisa-g)
see all
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