Recovery Bytes

I grew up close to my grandmother, she had always been my best friend. I knew growing up that she would go to these meetings

I survived my addiction to opiates and today I am grateful to know that total abstinence from all mind/mood altering substances is possible by working

October 16, 1984 – I was released from the Psych Ward at Harbor General hospital in Torrance Ca., at the tender age of 34. Thankfully,

Walking into this anniversary, I had to take a hard look at my program. Was I doing enough? Was I allowing the many blessings of

Recently, someone who has 18 years in recovery asked me to be their sponsor. I remember saying to a close friend, “It seems weird that

One of my favorite lines from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous is on page 62 – “Selfishness – self-centeredness! That, we think is the

Read more books. Watch fewer Tik Toks. Eat healthier. With every new calendar comes the same old resolutions. Get back to the gym. Start journaling.

Gratitude: The number one quality I must keep in check these days. It’s really very simple. When feeling low or down on yourself, do a

Staying sober during the holidays is hard. I was never sober during the holidays until I was in recovery. I spent a Thanksgiving in jail.

What crisis brought you to recovery? My son has been living life in the fast lane since high school.  Progressively things got worse as time

What crisis brought you to recovery? We knew our daughter was struggling while away at college, but we weren’t sure what was happening. In May

What crisis brought you to recovery? When the puzzle pieces of mental health, lost jobs, changes in behavior, housing instability and anger started to fit

Recently at a meeting, the 2nd step came up as a topic. The wording of the step, “Came to believe that a Power greater than

by Mindi V. Growing up I always felt like an outsider. If only I was prettier, if my parents had more money, if I had

by Jaclyn B. I am a mother to a bright, beautiful 4-year-old girl. I wake up with her every morning, I get her dressed for

When I first came into recovery, I heard people in meetings share about all the “gifts” they received by staying clean and working the steps.

What crisis brought you to recovery? It was a few years of one crisis after another after my son turned 18. He actually went for

Much is being made of the body positivity movement today. It’s being used by manufacturers to sell products through the guise of “self love.” It’s

Addiction is a disease that affects the mind, body and spirit. Conversely, recovery can affect these as well. Although they are all entwined, I believe

What crisis brought you to recovery? My only child admitted to me she had an addiction. It was only weeks later I realized it was

What crisis brought you to recovery? This past June our 23-year-old son came to live with us for a time.  He was with us for

Growing up I always knew I was different from the kids around me. The kids around me knew I was different too. They bullied me

For the longest time I thought I was somehow made wrong-I felt different from my family and everyone else I knew. I felt like I

First, I would like to mention how honored I am to get the opportunity to share my experience of being a grateful sober dad. Turning