Change Talk

I recently read a 2009 study on Motivational Interviewing.  Motivational interviewing is a client centered, semi-directive therapeutic process. Motivational interviewing is non-judgmental, non-confrontational and non-adversarial. The study found evidence that “What therapists reflect back, they will hear more of,” and that promoting talk about change promotes change. What does this mean for the medical model … Read more

A Central Purpose…

There is no hope of success for the person who does not have a central purpose, or definite goal at which to aim. — Napoleon Hill Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help others to achieve sobriety.  Alcoholics Anonymous preamble. For each and everyone of us our purpose lies in service to others.  … Read more

Addiction Treatment, what works?

“Know what’s weird? Day by day, nothing seems to change, but pretty soon… everything’s different.” – Calvin and Hobbes Over the years I have heard many “theories” on addiction treatment what works and what doesn’t.  Back in the 60’s and 70’s the belief that heroin addicts can not recover they are addicted for life.  They … Read more

The Badge…

All the world wondered as they witnessed… a people lift themselves from humiliation to the greatest pride. Corazon Aquino You may notice on the side bar of this Blog is a Badge that says “I Have 8,314 Days Sober” the number changes everyday.  We have five different badges available to folks to show some “Pride” … Read more

Keep hope alive…

“Hope is not a dream, but a way of making dreams become reality.” – Cardinal Leon Joseph Suenens Yesterday I was speaking with a fellow that is clean and sober now for two years.   He has a similar story he went to prison young and started his education in prison.  He like me, had no … Read more

Don’t take yourself too damn seriously…

“The one important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one’s work seriously and taking one’s self seriously. The first is imperative, the second is disastrous.” – Margot Fonteyn In the Twelve and Twelve on page 148 rule number 62 is offered, “Don’t take yourself too damn seriously.”  I remember I … Read more

Stay busy, but focused…

“Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.” – Lady Bird Johnson I remember early on in my journey people said depression can’t hit a moving target!  For the most part I believe that is true.  In early recovery we need to keep our feet moving.  Stay busy with positive activities, yet … Read more

Ride the wave, but…

The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave. Thomas Jefferson Freedom from the bondage of addiction takes work.  Working through the good times as well as the not so good times.  The waters are rough at times for all of us recovering people are not excluded from this act of nature.  We learn … Read more

Kind Words

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. Mother Teresa If you have read our Blog in the past you may have heard of the “ABC’s of the Recovered Life”.  The letter “C” stands for “Cheerlead Others”.  There is no doubt that Mother Teresa made a profound impact … Read more