Blog

Category: Disease

What is addiction? And why is it often called a “disease”? How do I know if I’m addicted? Can I have a psychological dependence on alcohol or drugs, but not be addicted? When do I need treatment to overcome a substance abuse problem? Is there hope for me?

Sobriety Liberated Me from a Self-imposed Prison

“Many people are living in an emotional jail without realizing it.” –Virginia Satir Anxiety, depression, tension, unhappiness, confusion, anger…these may be factors that cause us to drink and/or drug. I was definitely a ‘self medicator;’ using alcohol and narcotic pills to try and escape uncomfortable feelings. Finding Myself in a Prison of Addiction When I began … Read More

Tricks of the Trade: How Trading Addictions Impacts Sobriety

Some years ago I owned a restaurant. My produce supplier and I became fast friends, hitting it off right away. Sometimes on weekends, his wife would sometimes accompany him on deliveries.  They both knew I loved coffee, so one morning they came into the restaurant and brought me a thermos of fresh coffee. They warned … Read More

How One Family Made It Through Mom’s Addiction to Alcohol

This September marks the 25th annual celebration of National Recovery Month. The simplicity of this year’s theme—“Speak Up. Reach Out,” demonstrates the community’s continued effort to smash addiction’s stigma. “Hi, I’m an alcoholic. But I still have a family, and love to play, and laugh, and feel valued. I’m no different from you, really.” Statements … Read More

Throwback Thursdays: Gene on the Cost of Alcoholics Anonymous

In the first episode of The Grant, a series of short talks by Gene Duffy, Gene talks about cost of Alcoholics Anonymous. We all know Alcoholics Anonymous is a free program, but that doesn’t mean the program requires nothing of its members whatsoever. There is no cost for attendance, but there is a cost of attention, … Read More