“The Master entered a village where he was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance. They raised their voices, saying, “Master, have mercy on us!” When the Master saw them, he said, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. Upon realizing that they had been made clean of their leprosy, one returned to thank the great Healer.  The Master looked upon the man and asked, “Where are the other nine?” He then said, “Go, for your faith has healed you.”” (Lk 17, 11-19). 

Recovery is more than breaking free from addiction; it’s about reclaiming a healthier, more balanced life. Wellness in addiction recovery plays a crucial role when the focus is on rebuilding one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Staying sober is not the only solution. Growing and thriving in every aspect of life is also important.

In my volunteer work with a local service entity, I occasionally will have a volunteer come to me in frustration over working with a treatment center, outpatient clinic, detox or the like.  The conversation goes something like this, “They’ve asked for speakers, but I can never get them to return my calls or emails to coordinate.”

There was a group I attended occasionally whenever I felt like I needed an extra meeting.  I joked that the only membership requirement for this group was that you had to have a desire to stop drinking and twenty years of sobriety.  They had about twenty regular members and if you added up the collective sobriety dates of the attendees, they would have had over 400 years of sobriety.  The room was full of old timers, but seldom attracted newcomers.  

In the corporate world there is a phrase that is often used when it comes to bringing “bad news” to management.  It is called, “Speaking Truth to Power.” It is a behavior that is expected of all corporate officers. It is the idea that management and senior executives can sometimes be oblivious, for a variety of reasons, to problems within the organization. Thus, it is the moral and ethical obligation of the juniors, subordinates, and peers of the organization to speak up and say something if they believe there is a serious problem within the organization. It is a sound philosophy and one that is grounded in the principle of acting for and on behalf of the greater good. This philosophy and behavior is also a sound principle of recovery.  

“You have to get involved in service. You have to get involved in service. You have to get involved with service.” The phrase seemed to echo off the walls of our meeting room.  Well intentioned recovery members repeated the phrase incessantly to me in my early sobriety.  And much to their credit I did get involved and I did stay sober.  Afterall, they told me, “nothing will so much ensure our immunity from the first drink as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when all else fails.”  

In the early days of January, it is easy to make progress on New Year’s resolutions, but by the time we reach the end of the month, many of us have abandoned our resolutions for 2025. This year, instead of making a resolution, how about making a SMART Goal?  In this way if you have an off week or two, we can always climb back on the train to your intended destination.

December often raises many questions for family members who have a loved one active in an addiction – or a loved one early in recovery.  It can be difficult to know how to support our loved one.  Below are a few simple tips.

Every September, the nation comes together to recognize National Recovery Month.  While the leaves are turning and the crispness of autumn is in the air, Recovery Month beckons us to bring awareness to the ever-growing recovery community. More than just an annual observance, National Recovery Month represents a powerful opportunity for lowering stigma and increasing recovery options through cooperation and collaboration.

Dear Alumni and Friends of The Retreat,

Are you seeking to deepen your connection to your recovery journey? Do you wish to experience the transformative power of selflessness and compassion? Look no further - we invite you to embrace the incredible benefits of service in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and join us in spreading the light of recovery in our community.