The Holidays Are Almost Here! A 12 Step Survival Guide

The end of the year holidays are often a source of, if not fear, at least some angst for many in 12 Step programs. Those addicted to substances, like AA, NA, and OA  fear slips, those with problems like CoDA or Gambling  behaviors worry about triggers, those with money issues, like Underearners Anonymous and Debtors Anonymous are [...]

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Now What Do I Do For Fun?

Years ago I wrote a pamphlet for Hazelden called What Do I Do For Fun? It’s a question people who get sober or clean or let go of some other addictive behavior often ask. That’s probably why the booklet is still available. The question reflects two ideas:the notion that our addiction was fun.  I sure thought I [...]

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10th Steps Can Be Done In A Flash

It’s easy to think Step 10,  Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it, is a formal process, and indeed it can be. Many people find it helpful to take a few moments at the end of their day and sum up what went well and what didn’t.  Out of that can [...]

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Recovered? You’ve Got To Be Kidding!

In 12 Step rooms when I dare to say “I’m a recovered alcoholic (or other addiction)” people often react exactly the way I did when I first heard Biker Ray introduce himself that way at a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. I was horrified, except his share not only made sense but seemed based in Program. He [...]

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About Women, Girls & Education – Way Off Topic, or Not

Today I’m going to point to another blog I write called WhenGrandmotherSpeaks.com and the article I wrote called Women, Girls and Education. It has little or nothing to do with recovery, but I was saddened by the death of Wangari Maathai and both shocked and encouraged by The Girl Effect. Part of recovery for me is [...]

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How Long Do I Need To Go To Meetings?

“How long do I have to go to meetings” and “Will I have to go to meetings the rest of my life” may be the two most asked questions in 12 Step meetings. Often asked by a newcomer who isn’t quite sure they really have a problem, we with more time are tempted to shake [...]

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Powerfully Recovered Comments Policy

I welcome comments – truly. I also welcome disagreement with me – well, that’s not quite true. It’s more accurate to say I’m willing to listen deeply to what you have to say, even when it reflects a view quite different from mine. I’m really working to not only listen deeply, but to honor what [...]

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How To Tell The Difference Between a 12 Step Program & The Fellowship & Why It’s Important

Almost everyone who comes to Alcoholics Anonymous or other 12 Step program comes first to a meeting. It’s not surprising that the distinction between the fellowship and the program is missed. While it isn’t the first thing a newcomer should learn, the distinction between the two is important. “The Program” actually refers to the basic [...]

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Do You Need More Than One 12 Step Program?

When I came into Alcoholics Anonymous  over 30 years ago the choices were limited. I’d been to Al-Anon before I recognized my own alcoholism. At about 18 months someone suggested Narcotics Anonymous and I went mostly to show him I didn’t need it only to learn that program filled in about 5 percent of what [...]

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Of God, Higher Power, Atheists, & Agnostics Oh My!

One of my closest program friends is an atheist. That drives some 12 Steppers a bit nuts. After all, we talk about God as we understand God, Higher Powers in many forms. The Program says it’s a spiritual program and there is plenty of talk about God in both the Big Book and the 12 and 12. So [...]

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