One of the more memorable characteristics of the therapists I had when I was a client at The Ranch was his uncanny ability to tell you exactly what you needed to hear. Many of the men who were in the Sexual Recovery Program (SRP) were there because they realized they...
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Working My Fifth Step with a Priest
| First Step, Getting Sober, Mercy, Reconciliation, Sacraments, Spiritual Tools, The Sacraments | 0 Comments
Step Five: “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.” My journey into a lasting and more abundant sober life coincided with my diving deeper into my Catholic faith. I had been in, out of, and around AA for 14 years. But...
“The Screwtape Letters’” Valuable Insights for Addiction Recovery
| Addiction, Getting Sober, Spiritual Tools | 0 Comments
During my own recovery, I have found C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters to be particularly useful in navigating the emotional fallout from a relapse as well as an aid during periods of temptation. The Screwtape Letters is a fictional work detailing a collection of...
The Vital Role of a Sponsor: Being a Gift of Service
| 12-Step Sponsorship, Eighth Step, Getting Sober, Ninth Step, Sponsorship/Mentorship, The Twelve Steps | 0 Comments
I’ve written about how going it alone in recovery without support, guidance, and direction from a sponsor for a ninth-step amends process led to my relapse and the demoralization of myself and those around me. This humiliating experience was necessary for me to let go...
Using the “Circle Plan” to Overcome Sexual Addictions
| Addiction, Getting Sober, Pornography & Sexual Addiction, Sex/Pornography | 0 Comments
Within recovery, we rely on various metaphors, idioms, and analogies as helpful tools. For example, there is the “ladder” that one must “climb” toward sobriety. Likewise, there are “battles” that must be “fought.” And then there is the “circle plan,” which is popular...
The Wrong (and Right) Way to Make a Step Nine Amends
| Addiction, Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Drugs, Family, Getting Sober, Ninth Step, Relapse | 0 Comments
Step 9 - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. The ninth step meant something quite different to me during my first attempt to work the steps. And as a result of my insane thinking and lack of...
Step 10 and the Value of Taking a Personal Moral Inventory Daily
| Addiction, Getting Sober, Spiritual Tools, Tenth Step, The Twelve Steps | 0 Comments
Step 10 - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Step 10 is considered the maintenance step for good reason. It’s imperative to sustaining quality sobriety and drawing us to closer communion with God, ourselves, and others....
Spiritual Resources for Finding and Maintaining Recovery (Part 1)
| Getting Sober, Help from the Saints, Mercy, Prayer, Saints—On Earth & in Heaven, Spiritual Tools | 0 Comments
As someone who knows the terrible depths of addiction and fell away from the Church during my youth, today I am careful to remain as close as possible to Christ to maintain my recovery and live out my vocation as a sober Catholic wife and mother. Below are two...
“Restored”: A Poem
| First Step, General, Getting Sober, Mercy | 0 Comments
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...
What Makes a Good Accountability Partner for Sexual Addictions?
| 12-Step Sponsorship, Getting Sober, Pornography & Sexual Addiction, Sex/Pornography, Sponsorship/Mentorship | 0 Comments
As the new year continues many addicts are searching for an accountability partner. This is necessary for those new to recovery as they take responsibility for their lives and begin (or continue) on the path of recovery. One of my mentors, Les Brown, would say,...