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The Twelve Steps of Sober Living??? We Shall See

[fa icon="calendar'] May 19, 2021 9:15:00 AM / by Lisa G. posted in 12 step program, AA meetings, AA Big Book, Women's Sober Residential, Support Group

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While I was still in treatment sober living was “strongly suggested” as the next step in my recovery. I was told that it would put into practice the twelve-step approach to living in a somewhat controlled environment that would benefit my sobriety and my overall spiritual well-being. Believe me I was more than a little bit skeptical that this would in any way, shape, or form benefit me at all. This blog delves into whether they were right or not. We shall see.

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Virtual tour of the new Women’s Center at The Retreat.

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 16, 2020 4:21:41 PM / by John Curtiss posted in recovery process, Recovery, women in recovery, Women's Sober Residential

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What is a Recovery Community Organization?

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 23, 2019 9:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in substance abuse, 12 steps of aa, Drug Rehab, Older Adult Recovery Programs, Men's Sober Residential, Women's Sober Residential

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“A Recovery Community Organization (RCO) is devoted to providing services to and tearing down barriers for those suffering from a substance use disorder. It is a
grassroots community-based organization staffed by people in recovery." 

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For it is in giving that we receive

[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 17, 2019 8:00:00 AM / by Maj Donovan posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, Recovery, AA meetings, 12 steps of aa, Men's Sober Residential, Women's Sober Residential

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Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” (Tradition Seven of the 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous)"

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The Road to Relapse

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 14, 2019 1:05:34 PM / by Maj Donovan posted in AA meetings, AA Big Book, Men's Sober Residential, Women's Sober Residential, Recovery Program

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I stopped going to meetings....I stopped hanging out with people in the program

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Becoming Self-Supporting

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 5, 2019 11:21:11 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, Older Adult Recovery Programs, Men's Sober Residential, Women's Sober Residential, Drugs Adiction

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“Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.”

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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

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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.

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Sometimes we need to break down in order to rebuild

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 17, 2019 7:55:35 AM / by Kara F posted in alcoholism, women in recovery, Women's Sober Residential, Recovery Program, Drugs Adiction

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We have great news here at The Retreat! Our new National Center for Women’s Recovery is now open to lovingly welcome women suffering addiction into a beautiful space to heal! And it’s amazing! I had the absolute privilege to attend an event this past Friday with about 20 other women to break in the center with amazing energy. We wanted to do this so that the energy from women who have been on the journey before could breathe in healing for the women who are to come next. To be in this new space and surrounded by women who have a passion for recovery and a desire to share their unconditional love and energy was heart changing to say the least. As we embraced this new place for community together, we entered each room and blessed the walls with a love and purpose I cannot put down in writing. The new walls are nothing short of extravagant, but what moved me more was the bursting of love from this group of women in preparation to open the doors and welcome home new family. I have often said there is something magic in these walls at The Retreat that is indescribable, that fact most definitely has not changed even though the paint on the walls and the beams that support the walls are rebuilt.

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Reflections on the coldest night of the year

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 30, 2019 8:03:10 AM / by John MacDougall posted in Alcoholics Anonymous, Older Adult Recovery Programs, Men's Sober Residential, Women's Sober Residential, Drugs Adiction

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It’s Tuesday afternoon at The Retreat, and it’s cold. Right now it is 6 degrees below zero. The forecast for tonight is 26 below. Tomorrow’s forecast is 15 below in the daytime and 29 below at night. The all-time low was 32 below, set on the evening of February 3, 1996.

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Abuse is not acceptable on any level!

[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 5, 2018 11:55:09 AM / by Kara F posted in women in recovery, substance abuse, Women's Sober Residential, Recovery Program

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I can’t tell you how many conversations I have had with a woman embarking on recovery that is traumatized by abuse in some way, shape or form. I think we can all agree that the word abuse riles up a certain distain in each of us. But have you ever thought about yourself as the abuser? Ouch, tough question and I bet most would say no way! However, the same women I talk to are also abusers of themselves. This is not an accusation I state lightly as I am also an alumni of abusing myself. I am talking about negative self-talk, self-hate and self-loathing. Regardless of its origin, I believe we are all guilty of this on some level. I used to beat myself up with demeaning and horrible statements when I didn’t live up to my unrealistic expectations. Calling myself a stupid this or an incompetent that. Even for an accidental toe stubbing! Can you imagine if you stubbed your toe and I hollered at you that you were a total moron? Have Mercy, that’s not even logical or remotely loving and respectful!!!! My friends….is this not verbal and emotional abuse? I had to ask myself, would you say these things you claim about yourself, in your head, to another living human being? Heck no!! So why is it ok to have this running commentary in our heads and spirits about ourselves? It’s not!! Its verbal, emotional and mental abuse towards ourselves and by ourselves. And it’s not ok!

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