SPECIAL: Maintain RECOVERY from home during the pandemic!

I just found out that there is a live stream available on, where else, YouTube (of course) to those individuals who still wish to attend AA meetings on a daily basis. Well now, you theoretically still can!  Just like how most schools in the country are managing with their "distance learning," well we folks in …

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MUSINGS: The Broad Highway

This is, by far, one of my favorite passages written in the Big Book (of Alcoholics Anonymous).  Upon first reading this inspirational portion, I was awestruck.  To be honest, I think it was the simplicity of the text that truly compelled me.  Moreover, this is a useful section to return to especially if you toil …

FOOD4Thought: Intuitive Counselor in Recovery Colette Baron-Reid

ENTRY: Forwardness Forever (Rest of the ‘Journey’ article)

NOTE FROM LOU: Here is another drafting of part of the magazine article I wrote for this month's issue of Journey magazine that didn't make it to print.  I understand completely that magazines only have so much space for content, and they do have to be conscious of their advertisers.  Thankfully, I'm able to share …

FROM-1-2-1: Shedding the Darkness

I aim for redemption by way of self-reflection; we should all do the same.  We all must become willing to explore deep self-reflection in order to become whole. Many of us in this "sober movement" understand that, in order to shed the old, we must become willing to take suggestions (The Steps from AA) #1, …

ENTRY: Patients inflate use history to ensure treatment

Being in recovery myself, I tend to notice certain behaviors of the folks seeking recovery themselves as they proceed through the intake process at work.  In case you weren’t already aware, I work as a peer recovery coach at a treatment center specializing in MAT therapy (we offer both methadone and Suboxone) and mental health …

MEDIA: Little Boy Lost, II

The little boy is crying, crying inside the man! The little boy is crying, he can only do what he can! The little boy is crying, there’s so much shit in this life! The little boy is crying, not for himself, but for his wife! The little boy is crying, while lying in bed at …

ENTRY: MAT Protocol in Need of Empathy–NOT Sympathy

As a person facing true substance use disorder, you do in fact have many options when it comes to attaining sobriety, and in turn a life built around everlasting recovery.  Inpatient rehabs are widely considered the gold-standard when it comes to initial sobriety.  I say 'initial' since, just as with any option for treatment, getting …

ENTRY: The ‘Big Book’ – use it to your advantage!

I love the Big Book.  It’s like a Bible for people that go to AA and NA (Narcotics Anonymous).  My intention with this blog, in general, is to help the addict that is still suffering and/or did suffer at one point.  We are all still addicts and it’s important for us to keeping working with …

ENTRY: Absorbing the Big Book, before you even start it

The Big Book is a very useful tool; in fact, it's probably more useful than a new package of guitar strings would be for me…  (Yeah really, 'tis that useful.)  I would never encourage any person in recovery to live and breathe by the Big Book, just like I don’t really think a Christian person should encourage another Christian …