Browsing all posts in Getting Sober.

Thoughts on Courage in Recovery

"Courage is the price that life extracts for granting peace, the soul that knows it not, knows no release from little things." – Amelia Earhart, noted American aviation pioneer and author, was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, [...]

Revisiting The Doctor’s Opinion

For those who are not familiar with the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, the Doctor’s Opinion was first published in the first edition of the book.  Here is one of the more striking passages, one that many alcoholics find gives them their first understanding that they are not alone: Men and women drink essentially because [...]

To Drug Rehab or Not Drug Rehab

I happen to have been someone who went to drug rehab before ever going to a 12-step meeting.  I’ll be honest with you – I had this belief that drug rehab would be a substitute for AA. I remember being very disconcerted when one of the first things they handed me in rehab was a [...]

When We Drank, Bad Things Happened

I’ve said this before, you know you need help with your alcohol use if when you drink, bad things happen.  It’s so much simpler than asking yourself what I call “denial questions” – do I drink in the morning? no. Does that mean I’m not really an alcoholic?  Argggh! What a great way to make [...]

To Rehab or Not Rehab, That Is the Question

When I realized I had a problem, the first thing I did was call my company’s employee assistance program. I was totally confused and scared. I knew something really bad was happening to me, but I didn’t know what to do. I remember making that call. I forced myself to mention I thought I might [...]