Our founder, Gene Duffy is a living legend, a daily inspiration, and our all-time favorite person to quote. Not long after he became sober, Gene dedicated himself to helping others find freedom and recovery (read Gene's story). Patrick, a Duffy’s counselor, said, “What I know about Gene Duffy is that he was absolutely passionate about helping alcoholics and addicts who were suffering.” Patrick is right: of all who knew Gene, they will remember his fiery, contagious, and unrelenting passion. But why did he care so much? Below is an excerpt from Gene's reasons for ... Read More →

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 →

If you're a serious or heavy alcoholic drinker, you might have experienced a blackout before. A blackout is different than passing out—this is a moment where you are basically functioning, walking around, talking, performing tasks, but aftewards you have no recollection of what happened.  What is a Blackout?  Real Blackout Stories The following are true blackout stories told by Gene Duffy, our founder. These are powerful reminders of how subtly dangerous excessive alcohol use can be.  Blackout Stories: How the Hell Did I Get Here?  Blackout Stories: What Can't You Do During ... Read More →

Shannon Alder once wrote, “Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” Shannon’s quote is very compelling and perhaps one of the most clearly stated on the true essence of leaving a legacy. Which helps us to beg the question, what kind of legacy do you want to leave? Will your children and grandchildren respect you? Will you leave a legacy etched in their hearts? In late March, Tom Claunch, a recovery inspiration living in New Zealand, passed away in Alabama ... Read More →

When I was a child, the issue of drugs and alcohol was presented one dimensionally. "Good girls and boys' didn't drink or do drugs." If we simply behaved, we never had to deal with the ugly problems of addiction. Poof, it was just that easy. Or so I was told. My Perspective: Bad People The complete avoidance of the real issues of addiction left me with the impression that anyone seriously addicted to anything could not be a good person. Period. They were people to be afraid of. People whose primary purpose was to give oneself a warm and ... Read More →

A New Obsession I'll never forget the first time my friends and I got a case of beer and got drunk together. I loved it. I wanted more. Nothing was ever the same after that because unless there was booze and drugs involved I wanted nothing to do with it. The booze and drugs took hold of me from day one. I never knew what would happen. . . I could hook up with a pretty girl, get in a fight or black out and wake up covered in vomit. But I still loved it. It was adventure in a bottle ... Read More →

Though we will forever have the memories of what our lives were like before sobriety, it can be easy to forget the strength of the beast as we become busier, happier, and journey further in recovery. And that’s just what it wants.    You see, when we’re too busy or complaisant, we forget the real power of alcoholism and the havoc it can still cause in our lives.  I recently read a blog post by a recovering alcoholic entitled “A Letter to My Disease.” This personal letter illustrates the point so ... Read More →

Despite my experience with recovery and the 12 Steps, when difficulties arise, I still occasionally catch myself falling into old thought patterns. Some of those thoughts are a gut-level emotional response to the situation. Some are my attempt to find a quick solution to a problem. Neither is particularly productive nor useful. Fortunately, my experience with recovery helps me find my way through those uncomfortable moments back into the light. Here's my story from when three things disrupted my lovely, tranquil world early in 2012, each devastating in its own way.   Three Disruptive Moments  The first disruptive moment came ... Read More →

Valentine's day is a great day for those of us in recovery to remember those around us. Have you shown your love to someone today? Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the romance of Valentine's day, we simply forget the human desire to be loved. You don't have to be in a relationship to share your love today. Help someone today!   ... Read More →

The family at Duffy’s would like to wish you and your loved ones a very happy Chinese New Year! This year’s animal is the year of the snake. If you will turning 12, 24, 48, 60, 72 (or any multiple of 12!) then this is your year! Background The date of Chinese New Year is based on the lunisolar calendar and lasts 15 days. (Think Christmas that lasts 15 days!) It is the biggest holiday of the year, and family and friends gather from across the country to feast on traditional Chinese New Year food, reunite with family, visit friends, give gifts, and set ... Read More →