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Recent Posts
A Reflection on Attachment, Addiction, Psychology, and Spiritual Formation: Part One
Dec 10, 2019 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Other Addictions, Psychology & Therapy, The Twelve Steps
I’ve confronted addiction from several directions in my life: as a therapist treating people in recovery, as a codependent in an alcoholic family, and as a Catholic man trying to discern God’s will and action in the midst of the fear, rage, and despair that addiction...
Removing My “Shame Filter” and Finding Healing Through EMDR Therapy
Dec 5, 2019 | Psychology & Therapy
I first came to learn about trauma through my first 12-step group. Many of the guys who had done intensive therapy would talk about it from time to time. Certainly, I had heard about PTSD, but my underdeveloped understanding of trauma led me to believe that only...
A Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude and Service
Nov 28, 2019 | Prayer & Scripture Reflections, The Twelve Steps
Reflecting upon my first Thanksgiving in recovery brings some vivid memories of a time in my life that was clearly full of grace. It had been about a month and a half since my last drink or use of any mind-altering drugs, and the fog that had been occupying space in...
One Woman Finds Recovery from Addiction through God’s Grace
Nov 21, 2019 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Prayer & Scripture Reflections, The Twelve Steps
I never wanted to stop drinking. I loved to drink. I realized I was an alcoholic in my 20s when I was in school in New York. I remember telling this to my brother, to which he responded, “You think?” I grew up in a middle-class home in northern Virginia. My parents...
Learning to Trust in God Through Prayer
Nov 19, 2019 | Pornography & Sexual Addiction, Prayer & Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Tools
I remember a conversation that I had with my dad years ago. He said, "I don't think I pray good." He and I never really had these types of conversations, so I was taken by surprise. He prayed before meals, went to church, recited the rosary. And I pointed these things...
The Grace of Group Therapy: Embracing A Life Without “Tea-Shade Glasses”
Nov 12, 2019 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Psychology & Therapy, The Twelve Steps
Some time ago, my life brought me to a point of humility, which made me realize I needed help. Through the help of my home 12-step group and therapist, I sought out an inpatient rehab facility. My 35 days in Tennessee not only provided me with the healing that I...
The Hidden Addiction
Nov 5, 2019 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Other Addictions, The Sacraments, The Twelve Steps
I’m an addict. But you can’t tell by looking at me. I don’t have needle marks and I don’t smell of alcohol. I’m not a compulsive gambler or a shopper, either. I’m a food addict. And I hide it well. Most of my family members and work associates are unaware of my...
Marcia Finds Healing in Catholic in Recovery Despite a History of Child Abuse and Addiction
Nov 1, 2019 | Personal Testimonies
The most vivid childhood memory for me is traumatic. I was four, my sister was three. My sister Rita and I went to Marion, Ohio, to stay with my mother’s only sibling, her older brother, and his wife. While there, my uncle raped me. At the time, I didn’t know what was...
How the Lord’s Prayer Reveals the Key to God’s Mercy
Oct 31, 2019 | Pornography & Sexual Addiction, Prayer & Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Tools
Over the past two years, I have had many people ask me to explain what finally freed me from pornography. As I have pondered this question, I have come to appreciate that the freedom was not found through a practice, discipline, program, therapeutic intervention,...
The Power of “The Serenity Prayer”
Oct 29, 2019 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Prayer & Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Tools, The Twelve Steps
“The Serenity Prayer” God, Grant me the Serenity To accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things that I can And Wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace....
![A Reflection on Attachment, Addiction, Psychology, and Spiritual Formation: Part One](https://catholicinrecovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/jeremy-perkins-oTHXpT6nJsE-unsplash-e1575993215421.jpg)
A Reflection on Attachment, Addiction, Psychology, and Spiritual Formation: Part One
Dec 10, 2019 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Other Addictions, Psychology & Therapy, The Twelve Steps
I’ve confronted addiction from several directions in my life: as a therapist treating people in recovery, as a codependent in an alcoholic family, and as a Catholic man trying to discern God’s will and action in the midst of the fear, rage, and despair that addiction...
![Removing My “Shame Filter” and Finding Healing Through EMDR Therapy](https://catholicinrecovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/jakub-kriz-arOyDPUAJzc-unsplash-e1573327181182.jpg)
Removing My “Shame Filter” and Finding Healing Through EMDR Therapy
Dec 5, 2019 | Psychology & Therapy
I first came to learn about trauma through my first 12-step group. Many of the guys who had done intensive therapy would talk about it from time to time. Certainly, I had heard about PTSD, but my underdeveloped understanding of trauma led me to believe that only...
![A Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude and Service](https://catholicinrecovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/priscilla-du-preez-bJPn27RFg0Y-unsplash-e1574892521609.jpg)
A Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude and Service
Nov 28, 2019 | Prayer & Scripture Reflections, The Twelve Steps
Reflecting upon my first Thanksgiving in recovery brings some vivid memories of a time in my life that was clearly full of grace. It had been about a month and a half since my last drink or use of any mind-altering drugs, and the fog that had been occupying space in...
![One Woman Finds Recovery from Addiction through God’s Grace](https://catholicinrecovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/priscilla-du-preez-p-4626XKd0o-unsplash-e1572283987263.jpg)
One Woman Finds Recovery from Addiction through God’s Grace
Nov 21, 2019 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Prayer & Scripture Reflections, The Twelve Steps
I never wanted to stop drinking. I loved to drink. I realized I was an alcoholic in my 20s when I was in school in New York. I remember telling this to my brother, to which he responded, “You think?” I grew up in a middle-class home in northern Virginia. My parents...
![Learning to Trust in God Through Prayer](https://catholicinrecovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/keegan-houser-Q_t4SCN8c4-unsplash-e1572283274304.jpg)
Learning to Trust in God Through Prayer
Nov 19, 2019 | Pornography & Sexual Addiction, Prayer & Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Tools
I remember a conversation that I had with my dad years ago. He said, "I don't think I pray good." He and I never really had these types of conversations, so I was taken by surprise. He prayed before meals, went to church, recited the rosary. And I pointed these things...
![The Grace of Group Therapy: Embracing A Life Without “Tea-Shade Glasses”](https://catholicinrecovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/eternal-seconds-ULFEhWnNCeQ-unsplash-e1572282329714.jpg)
The Grace of Group Therapy: Embracing A Life Without “Tea-Shade Glasses”
Nov 12, 2019 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Psychology & Therapy, The Twelve Steps
Some time ago, my life brought me to a point of humility, which made me realize I needed help. Through the help of my home 12-step group and therapist, I sought out an inpatient rehab facility. My 35 days in Tennessee not only provided me with the healing that I...
![The Hidden Addiction](https://catholicinrecovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/maxim-shklyaev-rq8b2eq4ltA-unsplash-e1571337852782.jpg)
The Hidden Addiction
Nov 5, 2019 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Other Addictions, The Sacraments, The Twelve Steps
I’m an addict. But you can’t tell by looking at me. I don’t have needle marks and I don’t smell of alcohol. I’m not a compulsive gambler or a shopper, either. I’m a food addict. And I hide it well. Most of my family members and work associates are unaware of my...
![Marcia Finds Healing in Catholic in Recovery Despite a History of Child Abuse and Addiction](https://catholicinrecovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/CIR-Blog-Testimonials-2-1080x600.png)
Marcia Finds Healing in Catholic in Recovery Despite a History of Child Abuse and Addiction
Nov 1, 2019 | Personal Testimonies
The most vivid childhood memory for me is traumatic. I was four, my sister was three. My sister Rita and I went to Marion, Ohio, to stay with my mother’s only sibling, her older brother, and his wife. While there, my uncle raped me. At the time, I didn’t know what was...
![How the Lord’s Prayer Reveals the Key to God’s Mercy](https://catholicinrecovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/zac-durant-302752-e1571337046661.jpg)
How the Lord’s Prayer Reveals the Key to God’s Mercy
Oct 31, 2019 | Pornography & Sexual Addiction, Prayer & Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Tools
Over the past two years, I have had many people ask me to explain what finally freed me from pornography. As I have pondered this question, I have come to appreciate that the freedom was not found through a practice, discipline, program, therapeutic intervention,...
![The Power of “The Serenity Prayer”](https://catholicinrecovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/CIR-Religious-W_Copy-32.png)
The Power of “The Serenity Prayer”
Oct 29, 2019 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Prayer & Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Tools, The Twelve Steps
“The Serenity Prayer” God, Grant me the Serenity To accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things that I can And Wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace....