Dealing with the death of a close friend in sobriety can be tough. But if you follow some simple guidelines and take it slow, you can transform a painful trial into a caring tribute that honors their memory.
Tag: 12 step
Betty Ford Center
Considered the flagship location, The Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage treats alcohol and drug addiction, dual diagnosis and offers medical detox, residential and outpatient treatment, sober living, family care and after care.
5 Messes I’ve Had to Clean Up in Recovery
When I’m on top of my 10th step game, it goes something like this: Sorry, my bad. How can I fix it? The apologies come easily, and I promptly follow up with offers to make up for all harms done. But I’m not always on top of my game.
Relapse Prevention: Staying Sober Through Life Setbacks
Without recovery tools or a relapse prevention plan, it can be difficult to stay sober while dealing with a significant life setback. The lure of the drink or drug to ease the pain and bring comfort becomes too great to resist.
The Ugly Side of Dating in 12-Step Programs
When someone acts perfectly, their best selves, when that’s what they present to us, we often fall for it. I wasn’t special or not special. I was typical.
Why You Should Embrace AA Groupthink and Shed Your Terminal Uniqueness
AA encouraged me, a sauced snowflake loaded on liquor and individualistic narcissism, to put aside enough of myself to embrace two traits required to curb my alcoholism: discipline and structure.
Is AA Too Religious for Generation Z?
“What I try to teach is: if you don’t buy into any kind of a supernatural higher power, navigate the 12-step world, filtering the god-stuff out, working the program in your own way; there is lots that really works.” Are today’s mutual-aid recovery groups ready to satisfy Generation-next? “More than any other generation before them,… Continue reading Is AA Too Religious for Generation Z?
How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions, Ten Minutes at a Time
You can keep your New Year’s resolutions just by devoting ten minutes to certain simple daily tasks. I’ve seen people build websites in 10-minute increments, write screenplays, do taxes, and even date! I want to work out more. I want to lose five pounds. I want to drink less. Have better relationships. I used to… Continue reading How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions, Ten Minutes at a Time
5 Myths About Leaving 12-Step Fellowships
We have a responsibility to do whatever we can — even if that means pointing someone to an alternative (non-12-step) pathway of recovery. I’ve lost count of the number of conversations I’ve had with people who are frightened to leave 12-step fellowships. They contact me because they heard that I left Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics… Continue reading 5 Myths About Leaving 12-Step Fellowships
4 Important Reasons to "Keep Coming Back" to AA, Even When We Don't Need To
Don’t underestimate just how powerful your presence at a 12-step meeting can be for another person’s recovery. More than I care to admit, my usual 12-step meeting times will pop up on my calendar and I’ll think to myself, “Can I get away with skipping this one?” A lot of folks in the rooms will… Continue reading 4 Important Reasons to "Keep Coming Back" to AA, Even When We Don't Need To