As Catholics, December can be a spiritual peak as we’re preparing our hearts for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Yet, societal expectations, seasonal commitments, temptations to indulge, loneliness, and seeing family can also increase our anxiety and cause us to...
Happy Advent to my fellows in recovery! Christmas is fast approaching and many of us are trying to get things done to make our homes festive, including trimming the tree, decorating with lights, raising nativity scenes, and so on. As always, the Christmas season also...
Addictions strike at the very roots of our physical and spiritual nature. As physical beings, our lives can be full of all the pains and difficulties of animal life. Yet, we also endure suffering through our souls, intellect, and memory. As C.S. Lewis put it, we live...
Feebly I bowed my head Arriving at the edge of the cliff I breathed in despair Exhaled despondency Floating numbly I slipped Surrendering into the abyss Somehow I heard Your whispering To me "Finally"...as Your heart Gently secured my frozen soul Took away all...
With proper preparation, winter is a time to get cozy and a time to indulge in all sorts of things: comfort food, delicious treats, and open fires. Winter can also offer us more time. We can develop new skills, sharpen old ones, and prepare for the following year. But...
From the military to sports to the spiritual life, routine is critical for success. However, maintaining a routine can seem boring, rigid, and stifling. I admittedly shared this view for several years. But for addicts who truly wish to be successful in their recovery,...
Scott Weeman’s trouble with alcohol began as a junior in high school. In college, this habit became destructive. He started drinking and doing drugs every day. He lost his college scholarship and was forced to return home. After treatment when he was 21, he fell in...
I was 21 years old, sitting in rehab after being arrested for my second drunk driving offense, and I was very in touch with how the world had done me wrong. My step-mom gave me a journal to take with me during my stay, and in it I jotted down some notes about how my...