SPIRITUALITY: Energy Prayer

I wrote this prayer about six years ago and it is one of my favorites. I got into crafting my own prayers because of this really, super sweet older woman I met years ago at an AA meeting. She told me she kept a journal with poems and prayers that she would write, simply because …

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MEDIA: Confronting the Opioids Epidemic in Our Communities

As America’s opioid epidemic continues to impact communities large and small, new trends are raising new challenges for doctors and policymakers. While opioid-related overdose remains a top concern, the epidemic is now driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from drug-related overdoses, according to the U.S. …

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 …

ENTRY: My perpetual disdain for cross-talking at AA

Yesterday was tough.  I went to an AA meeting last night, but that was a last-minute decision.  I typically go to the only meeting that my hometown hosts on Friday evenings because it’s nearby and the people there are generally very kind and welcoming.  So, I was planning on attending this meeting, known as “The Outreach …

ACLU: How to Slash the Incarceration Rate in Half

Over the last several months, volunteers for the ACLU’s Rights for All campaign have been fanning out across the first four primary states asking all of the 2020 presidential candidates a straightforward question: Will you commit to cutting the nations’ prison and jail population in half? That question has never been more urgent, with the United States incarcerating more people …

PODCAST: Penobscot Nation, a chance for wellness (Interview)

And without further ado, here it is, my interview with tribal member and advocate Athena Lamson of the Penobscot Nation!

ENTRY: Organized Religion a Valid Tool While in Recovery

You know what, I've come to realize that the concept of religion and spirituality in general have become possibly even more influential to modern Western pop culture.  Think about it, in the news, how often do we hear about the ongoing abortion debate?  The folks that deem themselves "pro-life" never hesitate when it comes to …

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 Five R’s, an old standby

I do think it is appropriate, nowadays, to include posts in the blog about normal, practical, everyday life.  It’s important to include a sense of morality in these entries, since I do try to live my life by certain morals and standards that I’ve set for myself with the help of God and my wonderful and …

MEDIA: How to Cope with Lying and Addiction

We’ve all been challenged by our kids lying when they have a substance use problem. Your child may tell an outright lie, or they may omit information. Either way, it is a struggle to deal with.  I recently spoke with a mom who was frustrated with her son’s lying. “I want him to admit the …