She’s on call virtually all day, every day. She does the impossible. She’s the real superhero. And she goes by “Mom.” In celebrating Mother's day, we often show our appreciation and love through an emotional card, beautiful flowers, and a phone call. We thank her for giving us life, for caring for us—changing endless diapers, bandaging our cuts—and for being the one person who never stopped worrying about us. But, who’s always there to worry about her? Who’s there to notice her struggle? According to ... Read More →

Today, May 9, is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, the climax of the week on mental health awareness. This year’s theme is Out of the shadows: Exposing stigma. Stigma is a mark of shame and disgrace, a negative judgment placed on someone or something. Too often, people are quick to judge and assume the worst in a person that has difficulties—which we all have difficulties at some point in our lives. But, imagine a world in which people had compassion for others who are struggling rather than judging them. A Model of Compassion A classic ... Read More →

Question: Should I pressure someone struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction into rehab? Do people who are forced into treatment get anything out of it? Answer: Yes, and yes. People who are not initially willing or ready to go into treatment have the same chance of recovery as those who come voluntarily to treatment. For years, conventional wisdom has stated otherwise: that treatment will work only for those who seek it. However, very few addicts seek treatment on their own. The nature of addiction makes it nearly impossible for the dependent person to admit or even recognize that he ... Read More →

"Can I help?" If you have a friend or family member who's struggling with addiction, you desperately want to find them help. But how can you help someone who doesn't want it? They may even think that everything's just fine and that alcohol or drugs are not causing a problem.  How do you break past the walls of denial? Can you even help them if they don’t want to listen?  Approaching someone with an addiction about seeking help is never easy and raises so many questions. That’s why we ... Read More →

We sit around the table at my parent's cottage on the lake, the afternoon light reflecting off the water, blinding me through the windows and casting a golden hue on us. This is how I remember everyone, in this light, at this time of day. This is my family, like flawed angels with makeshift halos on their heads. We’ve been coming to the lake for Thanksgiving since I was a kid. So far, I haven’t had a single Thanksgiving anywhere else--except for last year. Last Year Last year, I spent Thanksgiving with my friends in ... Read More →

I am grateful. . .  . . . that I have a kind of freedom I never thought possible.  . . . for clarity to pursue discovering who I really am.  . . . for hope in a brighter tomorrow. . .  .for hope to stay sober tomorrow because I am sober today. . . . for a future to look forward to.  ... Read More →

I’m grateful . . .  . . . for a family who forgives, encourages, cooks for, laughs with, (and occasionally annoys) me. . . . that I can watch my children grow up, and that I can actually be a part of their life. . . . for parents who aren’t afraid to tell me the truth. . . . for discovering and rediscovering the love of my life and being present enough to know it. . . . for the constant, unconditional, and undeserving love of my family. ... Read More →

I am grateful. . .   . . . for my friends who love me for who I am, despite who I was, and regardless of who I will be in the future. . . . for those friends who stuck around even when I didn’t want them to and those friends who let go when I wanted them to stay. . . . for the friends who held my head up when I was vomiting, who forced me to listen, who drove me to the hospital (and then back again), and who cared enough to do the hard things. ... Read More →

We've all been there--Our friend is struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction, and we're not sure how to help without inflicting hurt or offense. At first, our friend's indulgence was occasional but now it has become so much more. The addiction has changed them, and the problem is impossible to ignore. But how do you talk to someone with an addiction? How do you help without offending?   Step One: Explain the why The first step is to explain why you are concerned for your friend. Why are you doing this? Why are you faced ... Read More →

A key component to Duffy's has always been guests sharing their strength, hope, and experience. And now there's a new way for you to do this--Duffy's is now paying $100 for each guest blog post on Duffy's blog. Interested? We are primarily looking for two types of content: Stories of Strength, Hope, and Experience Everyone has a story--the person in recovery as well as the friends and family supporting the loved one. We'd love to hear about your experience. Anonymous posts are accepted.  Information on Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Or maybe you just have good ... Read More →