Tis the season to be jolly”, as the age-old song reminds us. In that vein, here are some stories to lift your spirits - Happy Holidays!
[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 2, 2020 8:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in alcohol addiction, 12 step program, AA meetings, alcohol abuse, AA Big Book, Recovery Program
Tis the season to be jolly”, as the age-old song reminds us. In that vein, here are some stories to lift your spirits - Happy Holidays!
[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 5, 2020 12:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in alcohol addiction, 12 step program, AA meetings, alcohol abuse, AA Big Book, Recovery Program
Q: How do you define recovery?
A: I consider myself a person in long-term recovery. To me, that means that I haven't had a drink or drug in over 42 years.
[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 5, 2020 10:30:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in 12 step program, substance abuse, AA Big Book, Recovery Program, Support Group
National reports estimate over 25 million Americans have a substance use disorder. This includes illicit drugs, prescription medications, and alcohol. In fact, when it comes to alcohol it is estimated that one in eight American adults have an alcohol problem.
[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 4, 2020 12:00:00 AM / by John MacDougall posted in alcoholism, 12 step program, Recovery, AA meetings
I’m writing this on a morning in March when the news media is full of coronavirus, or Covid-19 stories. Today’s Star-Tribune newspaper reports that the Costco store near The Retreat is out of toilet paper and won’t have any more for five days. They are also out of hand sanitizer, plastic gloves, and bleach wipes. The food aisles are decimated, as well, with non-perishables in short supply. It isn’t a full and complete panic, but it is certainly a lot of anxiety for a state that has no known cases of the virus.
[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 7, 2019 6:00:00 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 step program, AA meetings, 12 steps of aa, Older Adult Recovery Programs
It’s Friday, November 1st, and I took the day off. I flew with my wife, Priscilla to Los Angeles. This fall I joined “The Magic Castle” in Hollywood. It is a private club in a castle, located in the Hollywood Hills. I sponsor a 94 year old psychologist who lives in California, and he both introduced me to the Magic Castle, and sponsored me for membership.
[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 22, 2019 9:18:16 AM / by Sherry Gaugler-Stewart posted in alcoholism, 12 step program, Family Sober Support, Recovery Program, Alcohol & Health
[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 29, 2019 6:00:00 AM / by Sherry Gaugler-Stewart posted in family recovery, 12 step program, Family Sober Support, Recovery Program, help group
[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 6, 2019 6:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 step program, 12 steps of aa, Recovery Program, Alcoholism Treatment Program
[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 21, 2018 8:00:00 AM / by Jay R. posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 step program, AA meetings, 12 steps of aa, Recovery Program
When I walked into my first Al-Anon meeting fourteen years ago, life as I knew it was over. I didn’t understand that at the time, and I continued to fight desperately against that reality for quite some time. But, still, it was over. The gift of the 12 Steps of Al-Anon is that the life I have today is SO much better than the life I had planned, and the life I thought I should and could have, if only I fought a little harder, and a little longer.
[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 14, 2018 9:30:00 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 step program, AA meetings, AA Big Book, Recovery Program
I never asked this question when I was getting sober, but I have heard other people ask it. I thought they were raising unreasonable objections to getting sober or expressing resistance to recovery. Over the years, patients at Hazelden and guests at The Retreat have spoken of their reluctance to recover by saying that they are afraid to recover, because they are afraid of who they might be if they stop drinking or drugging. What will happen, they ask, if they get sober and don’t like themselves, or don’t like who they have become?
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities affected by alcohol and drug dependency by providing affordable, effective educational services grounded in the Twelve Step principles of Alcoholics Anonymous.
*The Retreat is a supportive, educational recovery program and is not a substitute for psychotherapy, medical, or clinical treatment.
Phone: 866-928-3434
Phone: 952-476-0566
Fax: 952-404-7208
Email: info@theretreat.org
Address: 1221 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata MN 55391
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"The Retreat Daily" Daily posts on recovery, sobriety, mental health, and everything in-between.