Chapter 4 Friday, August 22, 1992 5:30 came right on time. It felt horribly, sarcastically early. I thought about calling in, but remembered Craig’s speech about no more chances. I still had a couple of days on the books, but using them this soon was unwise. Besides, there’d be coffee at work. I didn’t drink […]
Read More 30 Years of Heavy Recovery, Chapter 4: Consequences/Davis/Unexpected callThursday, August 21, 1992 It took a moment for me to react to Joe asking me to chair the meeting. I was familiar with meetings, but I didn’t know shit about them. It felt wrong, like I was the last person on the planet who should do it. The look in his eyes was too […]
Read More 30 Years of Heavy Recovery, Chapter 3. NA/Secretary/Foreshadow of a Memory that Doesn’t Exist YetI left that first AA meeting with something I never had before: phone numbers. I showed David and Robert, and they validated the accomplishment. For most people, it’s probably a very small thing. But for the person struggling with addiction, that kind of trust is reserved for dealers and other connections. Anyone outside of that […]
Read More 30 Years of Heavy Recovery, Chapter 2: After Meeting/Phone Calls/Navy Memories/Home in NADang, I’ve had this site for a while. My original goal was to write a bunch of recovery related stuff and Stoner/Doom reviews. Kinda… I don’t consider myself a reviewer and I don’t mean to be. I mean, listening to x-amount of music to write z-amount of posts: there’s a ton of that out there. […]
Read More Another Quick Update…and thank-you!!!!!!We walked over to a line of chairs near the coffee, which I gladly got a cup of. And then another, because I was shaking so strongly it spilled out of my hand. Joe looked at me, nodded, and held the cup for me.
“You’re in the right place, “ he said.
Read More 30 Years of Heavy Recovery, Chapter One. Week One: Betrayal/ Hallucinations/12-Step Call/You’re in the Right PlaceAll I know for sure is that the alcohol no longer worked, which is a horrifying thing for any addict.
Read More Heavy Recovery: Minus oneIn Heavy Recovery, the author reflects on the challenging but fascinating journey that transformed them from an addict to a counsellor. Besides sharing their struggle with substance abuse and rescue by 12-step program, they assert a critical stance towards traditional recovery approaches. The author aims to share their unorthodox perspective on recovery through a series of upcoming blog posts, emphasizing the crucial role of music in their sobriety journey.
Read More 30 Years of Heavy Recovery: IntroductionIn the meantime, anyone practicing California Sober has my support. Whatever it takes to keep you alive, and keeps your future more hopeful. Anytime a human being can move from certain death behavior to something that is at least moderately less harmful, I wholeheartedly support that person.
Read More California Sober-an opinionI have a diagnosis of PTSD. I don’t agree with the diagnosis, but I have had two highly skilled therapists confirm it. The thing is, I’ve treated members of the armed services and first responders who had true, no kidding PTSD. I feel that my diagnosis somehow belittles theirs, and for that reason and that […]
Read More Yob: Our Raw HeartWhen I was 14 years old, my parents had a party. I remember one of the guests coming up and telling me I should go for a walk because I have too much energy to just sit around. Her name was Buff, and that night began my informal training in the Art of the Wise, […]
Read More My Paganism