RetreatBlogBannerImage.jpg

Recovery Birthdays

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 13, 2022 8:00:00 AM / by DeAnna L. posted in families, Sober Housing, 12 Traditions Of AA, Alcohol & Health, celebration, birthday

[fa icon="comment"] 1 Comment

 

There is this thing when you are sober, a celebration of sorts, called a recovery birthday (think cake and laughter and a new shiny chip).  They can be a big deal to those of us living in Recovery.  It is a milestone reached, a celebration of the life we are currently living, an acknowledgment of the journey we have embarked upon and continue to walk everyday despite the difficulties.  A reminder that we are still alive and not just surviving anymore, but thriving.  But these birthdays aren’t always easy, or happy and that can be confusing.

Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

Be Careful What You Pray For…

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 16, 2020 8:24:09 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, Recovery, AA meetings, Sober Housing, 12 steps of aa, alcohol abuse

[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments

I was 18 years old and three years sober. Ever since I went through treatment in the summer of 1978, all I wanted to do was to be a counselor. My counselor had saved my life and all I wanted to do was to become a counselor so I could save lives too. I could think of no higher calling or more worthwhile work. So, I applied for a Counselor Training Program.

Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

How Treatment Becomes a Part of Our Disease

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 3, 2020 1:04:48 PM / by John MacDougall posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, Recovery, substance abuse, AA meetings, Sober Housing, alcohol abuse, AA Big Book

[fa icon="comment"] 2 Comments

Step One of Alcoholics Anonymous tells me that I am powerless over alcohol when I drink it. Step One of Al-Anon tells me that I am powerless over alcohol when other people drink it, or when other people want to drink it. Both treatment programs, and The Retreat (which is not a treatment program) are powerless over alcohol and addiction when the people in them want to drink.

Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

We’re As Sober As Our Driving

[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 6, 2019 12:37:42 PM / by John MacDougall posted in Recovery, Sober Housing, alcohol abuse, AA Big Book, Alcohol & Health

[fa icon="comment"] 2 Comments

“I don’t mean driving under the influence of alcohol, I mean driving under the influence of anger, resentment, and ego. “You’re in MY lane!” “You’re in MY way!” “You cut ME off!”"

Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

“God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves”

[fa icon="calendar'] May 15, 2019 9:02:18 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, Sober Housing, 12 steps of aa, 12 Traditions Of AA, Treatment Program

[fa icon="comment"] 4 Comments

There are struggles we will face in sobriety. Getting sober is not a guarantee that life will be void of trouble. On the contrary, life will be life. Life will have its ups and downs, its triumphs and tribulations, its ebb and flow.

Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

The Grouch and The Brainstorm

[fa icon="calendar'] May 1, 2019 7:32:17 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Sober Housing, 12 steps of aa, AA Big Book, Men's Sober Residential, Women's Sober Residential

[fa icon="comment"] 3 Comments

Most weekdays I work at The Retreat as the Spiritual Care Coordinator. Most of the time I am meeting with men and women who have already identified themselves as alcoholics and addicts who need recovery and want recovery, using the Twelve Steps and the Big Book of alcoholics anonymous. They understood that what The Retreat has is a thirty day immersion into the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. What The Retreat does not have is radio, television, computers, cell phones, and much in the way of entertainment. We take people who need recovery, put them with people who have recovery, and let everyone benefit from shared experience.

Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

A Program of Action

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 10, 2019 6:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, AA meetings, Sober Housing, AA Big Book, Drugs Adiction

[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments

 

Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

“That’s How You Get To Be An Old Pilot!”

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 2, 2019 6:00:00 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, Sober Housing, AA Big Book, Older Adult Recovery Programs, Recovery Program

[fa icon="comment"] 7 Comments

 

Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

Living In Truth

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 13, 2019 6:00:00 AM / by Kara F posted in Sober Housing, Drug Rehab, Recovery Program, Drugs Adiction, Alcoholism Treatment Program

[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments

There is something extremely satisfying to me when I look out the window first thing in the morning after a new snow and see the perfectly clean state of the world. No dog prints, no dirty sand sprays from recent plows, no half melted snow forts. It’s just pure, un-touched perfection! I feel this way often when I know I am starting a new day and living an authentic life to the best of my ability. I don’t get perfection like that crisp morning snow, but I do get a clean and un-touched slate every day! And I do get to take advantage of that fresh slate to practice living in my truth.

Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

Tips to Avoid Getting Tipsy During the Holiday Season

[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 5, 2018 9:30:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in family recovery, alcoholism, Recovery, Sober Housing, Family Sober Support

[fa icon="comment"] 1 Comment

Staying sober during the holidays can be a challenge. Alcohol permeates so many traditions associated with this time-of-year. From baking recipes that call for alcohol, to festive holiday drinks that are spiked, to toasts at the end of year, all of these traditions seem to revolve around alcohol. However, now that your life no longer revolves around alcohol, perhaps its time to make some new holiday traditions.

Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

Subscribe to Email Updates

New call-to-action

Recent Posts