Addiction
Clearing up the Stigma: My Experience at Inpatient Rehab
Recently, I was having dinner with a friend who was describing a close friend’s sudden collapse of character, which included behaviors and activities that weren’t congruent with this person’s normal character. As a layman, I can’t diagnose the situation but it certainly seemed the person needed some serious professional help—and I mean that with all…
Read MoreReflecting on “Thy Will Be Done” in Our Recovery
We in Catholic in Recovery are undeniably blessed to have at our fingertips so many avenues and ways to seek God and live according to His perfect will. Our gratitude and blessings of recovery are worth repeating as our hearts and minds have been brought into harmony with God. Every day we have the opportunity…
Read MoreRecovering from the Private Killer of Porn Addiction
It was a catastrophic personal event that plunged me into three years of intense habitual and addictive behavior that needed to be addressed. It was then that I finally recognized my addiction needed to be stopped. Downloading porn videos and images as well as participating in sex chats—all are obvious markers of addiction. And I…
Read MoreA Reflection on Attachment, Addiction, Psychology, and Spiritual Formation: Part Three
Attachment, as we have seen in previous articles (Part One and Part Two), is central to addiction, recovery, and spiritual growth. But what is it? Where does it come from? How does it get so compromised that we turn to substance abuse and other compulsive behaviors to fill the vacuum in our hearts? Attachment is…
Read MoreThe Four Virtues and The Role of Grace in Our Recovery
In a recent discussion on how to develop virtuous habits to combat negative ones connected with sexual sin, I was introduced to the four cardinal virtues, which are prudence, courage, temperance, and justice. Each of these virtues can help us live moral lives. Following the discussion, I continued to ponder what I liked about my…
Read More5 Strategies for Overcoming an Addiction to Porn and Masturbation
Before discussing five strategies that help me stay clean with regard to porn and masturbation, let me start by explaining that nothing short of the grace and mercy of God ever worked in helping me experience victory over this ongoing battle, which spanned over 40 years. Only God can ultimately free us. I’ve spent a…
Read MoreA Reflection on Attachment, Addiction, Psychology, and Spiritual Formation: Part Two
In my last article, I talked about “attachment” as a common thread among addiction, psychology, and spirituality. Attachment in all of these areas is about relationships, whether spiritual (God and the human being), psychological (mother and child), or self-destructive (a person and his or her compulsive, self-destructive behaviors). Healthy divine and human relationships bring about…
Read MoreFor the Addict Who Still Suffers: How Recovery Brings About Unexpected Relationships
My first sponsor in SAA (Sex Addicts Anonymous) formed a relationship with me that included doing step work, but also included other activities not related to recovery. Seeing my youth, strength, and a willingness to help, he once asked me to come to his house in order to help move furniture. Not too much to…
Read MoreAllowing the Infinite Power of God to Save Us from Our Sinfulness and Addictions
Scripture tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:30). Too often, when we think of or talk about God, we speak of a being who is meek and mild. We see Him as completely approachable, and that there is nothing to fear in approaching Him. A program that I…
Read MoreRemembering the Truth of Christmas In Order to Stay Sober
The snow falls quietly. And slowly all is covered and blanketed in whiteness. The cold of winter is in the air, and it gets in your bones when outside. There is the anticipation of the holidays and all of the hopes and dreams of Christmas that come with the onset of the cold weather and…
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