Is Being Sober Boring? It’s a question that comes up often. The answer is multi-faceted. As people grow in their recovery, their worldview, their ability to follow through with a plan, and their willingness to take risks change over time. The good news is that recovery can open the door to a life full of meaning, ... Read More
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Is Sobriety Boring?
NOT! Drinking around the World in Disney
Staying Sober AROUND THE WORLD at Disney: My Epcot Adventure As someone in long-term recovery, I'm always on the lookout for substance-free fun, and Disney Parks are at the top of my list. While alcohol is available at all U.S. Disney parks at age 21, the real magic lies in the experiences—not the drinks. As a Florida ... Read More
No More Shame: Jeff M.
What possesses a 16-year-old kid to join the fire service in Orangeburg, South Carolina? “I wanted to help people and was drawn to the lights, sirens, and equipment,” Jeff M. said, in an interview for our No More Shame series. He also wanted to know “what people were running away from—to go into the burning building ... Read More
No More Shame: Kara W.
Kara W. had her first drink at the age of 14. It was the summer of 2006: My mom had gone out of town, and my dad was home but not very present. We took his beer, my brother and my friends, and I got drunk for the first time. The second time that she got drunk, Kara drank to the point of blacking out and falling in a ... Read More
The Modern Man’s Guide to Spiritual Health
I tend to cringe a little when I hear people use the word ‘spirituality.’ That’s not at all a knock against the practice, I believe I am a very spiritual person, but I found in early recovery it was a term used so much for way too many things. I include myself in that statement. I used it too much. When I got out of ... Read More
Overcoming Codependency in Relationships and Finding Independence
Codependency. This subject, in particular, invokes painful memories from not only my childhood but even well into my recovery. Long before I ever picked up a drink or a drug, codependency in relationships was a significant part of my story. In fact, codependent, toxic relationships were my solution - until they weren't ... Read More
No More Shame: Marlee B.
Marlee was 18 when her mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. “My mom was my best friend,” Marlee said in an interview. “We did everything together.” Not long after her diagnosis, Marlee’s mother moved in with Marlee’s grandparents and Marlee left for college. Journeying Through Grief and Anxiety as a ... Read More
No More Shame: John C.
“It started in my late 20s. In hindsight, I can see blips on the radar during my teenage years.” 47-year-old John C. was talking about when he first developed a substance use disorder. What Triggered the Substance Use Issues Was there one event that triggered it or multiple causes? “I believe I was born an ... Read More
