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 …

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 …

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 …

POETRY: Just Beneath the Surface

"Just Beneath the Surface" by Dean B. [circa 2000] Just beneath the surface of her pleasant, winning smile, Pompous and indignant, it’s been there quite a while, Comforting, reliable, it keeps her in the dark, At least a million reasons and subtle quirks remark: “Sure it makes a lot of sense!” she’ll deal with it …

ENTRY: Reflections… 4 years ago

I used to maintain another online journal a few years ago, but it was a bit more personal.  I spoke of all the changes and enlightenment I'd been experiencing as a wide-eyed newcomer to the recovery world.  Scanning through old entries, I ended up towards the beginning of the blog, when I was only at …

The Empty Promise of Alcohol — National Addiction News

Promise 1 Alcohol promised me confidence. But my feelings of guilt, shame and paranoia when I was drinking led to a drastic drop in my self-confidence and self-belief. The lack of quality sleep that heavy alcohol consumption led to and the impact on my brain function meant that I was mostly just getting through life, …

ENTRY: Praying the Way You Want to

I love crafting my own prayers.  It's a special, sacred way of communicating with Higher Power, or God in my case.  Of course, the prayers must be written down, so that I can keep revisiting them.  They then serve like journal entries, as well.  So, these homemade devotions make for very detailed and colorful time …