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Intimacy in Recovery – “In To Me See”

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 31, 2021 8:00:00 AM / by Lisa D. posted in alcoholism, Recovery, 12 Traditions Of AA, Recovery Program, help group

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When I first came into the Al-Anon program, I had spent so much time and energy into isolating, stuffing my feelings and trying to fix and control people, places and things, that I had no idea who I was, what I liked or disliked or even what I what felt. When they told me that I needed to keep the focus on myself and not the alcoholic, I didn’t know what that meant. I wasn’t capable of an intimate relationship with anyone else because I didn’t have an intimate relationship with myself.

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September is National Recovery Month

[fa icon="calendar'] Sep 10, 2020 10:35:29 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in recovery process, family recovery, Alcohol & Health, help group, Support Group

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What is Recovery Month?

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Riding the Wave

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 21, 2020 8:00:00 AM / by Dede Armstrong posted in AA meetings, Older Adult Recovery Programs, Alcohol & Health, help group

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During the past several weeks we all have been thrown into a sea of unknowing, with no knowledge of the shore- where it is, when it will rise in our vision, when we will rest knowing it’s popping up in our horizon.

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A Silent Challenge… Living Alone in Recovery During COVID 19

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 26, 2020 3:51:29 PM / by Dede Armstrong posted in AA meetings, Older Adult Recovery Programs, Alcohol & Health, help group, COVID-19

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Just a little backdrop... Recently, I have experienced what some might define as significant losses: My last surviving parent died in October; I ended a long-term primary relationship in November; My darling dog of 10 years was put to sleep in February. I am an empty nester, living in a new home in rural America. Despite these losses, daily life was fulfilling and meaningful. I had a job I adored, good friends, a busy social and volunteer life, and, most importantly, a wonderful AA community that grew and deepened every day!

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The Truth below the Truth

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 24, 2019 3:46:35 PM / by Sherry Gaugler-Stewart posted in family recovery, alcoholism, Family Sober Support, help group, Support Group

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Two Heads are Better than One

[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

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“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

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The Gift of Fear for a Heart of Faith

[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 27, 2018 3:14:04 PM / by Kara F posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, AA meetings, Drug Rehab, Drugs Adiction, help group

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As we enter into yet another new year, it’s hard not to look back at what has taken place over 2018. But for me, it’s even harder not to look forward with plans and questions of uncertainty for the year to come. I try to live one day at a time as best I can, but reflecting on a new calendar has me “what if”-ing in wonder and veering off the track of living for today. Some of the wonder is exciting. But honestly, some of the wonder is scary. The un-played days of 2019 haven’t even started yet and my mind wants to prepare for them. Truth be told, I tend to lean into fear. Maybe rightly so, I have a past riddled with pain and hurt. Everyone does. It’s not fun. And my ego wants to avoid painful stuff and control its very existence. The problem is…I don’t get to!! But hey, check this out…I also have a past riddled with joy and triumph! Life comes with both! And isn’t this really just a question of practicing the choice to focus on the joy over the pain anyways? Isn’t it just a practice in letting go and acceptance? A practice of choosing faith over fear? I think so! Its 3rd step genius!! “Gods will not mine” is the brilliance of realizing we get to choose faith over fear. I have that choice each and every day in each and every situation.

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Michelle...

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 11, 2018 12:24:33 PM / by Maj Donovan posted in substance abuse, AA meetings, 12 steps of aa, help group, Support Group

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I received my three-month medallion on October 22, 1978. I was fifteen, sober and I was thrilled. To add to my excitement - weeks earlier I had scored tickets to see Bob Dylan at the St. Paul Civic Center on October 31, 1978. This would be the first time that Bob Dylan would play a concert in Minnesota in 16 years. The concert had sold-out immediately and I had managed to get tickets. I was stoked. I was three-months sober and I was going to see Dylan.

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Recovery Is Not Sexually Transmitted

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 28, 2018 9:30:00 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Sober Housing, 12 steps of aa, AA Big Book, Recovery Program, help group

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Every morning at The Retreat I look at the in-house email. It tells me who has the day off, the lunch menu for the day, and any special events. It tells the number of admissions and discharges at The Retreat, and how many guests we have. It also lists the number of openings in the six sober houses that The Retreat owns and operates in Saint Paul. Usually the number of openings is “0”.

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Top Five Things About Getting and Being a Sponsor

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 7, 2018 9:30:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in AA meetings, AA Big Book, Recovery Program, help group, Support Group

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Top Five Things About Getting a Sponsor:

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