As I continue to reflect upon the wisdom of the 12 Steps and listen to others share their reflections, I usually learn or hear something that I was unaware of before. The 12 Steps have a way of giving new insights and new perspectives. That is the beauty of the 12 Steps! I want to …
The word “service” doesn’t appear anywhere in the Twelve Steps. Yet, it is a highly respected hallmark of this widespread approach to recovery. Hang around where Twelve Steppers gather, and you’ll likely hear “Thank you for your service” buzzing in the air. Service looks different for each person in a Twelve Step program, ranging from …
This year marks the 25th anniversary of StepUP, Augsburg University’s Collegiate Recovery Program. Twenty-five years ago, it was 1997. It was a remarkable time in many ways. That year, Google.com became registered as a domain name, Princess Diana died, a gallon of gas was $1.22, Bill Clinton was President, and StepUP, one of the nation’s oldest …
In reflecting upon recovery from addiction(s) – whatever they might be – the title of this article speaks very strongly to me. And its flip side – Addiction Flourishes in Isolation – also speaks strongly to me. Why? Because these sayings capture my journey to recovery. When I was in the throes of my addiction, …
Step 7 as part of the 12 Steps reads: Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings. At first glance, this seems to be a simple statement about what to do to remove the shortcomings we all have in one form or another. Why? Because none of us is perfect. Right? As I have been reflecting …
Let’s say you’ve landed in treatment. For the first time. Or for the umpteenth time. You can’t believe you’ll be stuck here for weeks, maybe months, with all these annoying people around you. You can’t believe you landed here, period. Your brain is pure fuzz. Your body craves just one thing – and you can’t …
We feature an expert in the mental health and substance use disorder field to answer questions. This issue we talk to Michael Durchslag of P.E.A.S.E. Academy about recovery high schools. Q: What is a recovery high school, and how is it different from a traditional high school? According to the Association of Recovery Schools, founded in …
Recently I found myself returning to a book I had read many years ago – The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz (Amber and Allen Publishing, San Rafael, CA, 1997). As I reflected on his thoughts about these “Four Agreements,” I began to see connections with our efforts to …
Let me introduce you to the Grande Dame of recovery in the upper Midwest. She is a beautiful, historic wood mansion built in 1887, bright cheery yellow trim on brown. She is beautiful not only for the structure but for what she holds. She IS 2218! She IS the world’s longest continuously running Alano and …
In my twenty-seven years in recovery and throughout my time in a 12 Step group, I have been struck by the number of different axioms I have heard. Axioms like: One day at a time Fake it till you make it The program works if you work it These statements have provided me with themes …
