The 12-step philosophy, born from Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935, has undoubtedly saved countless lives. Its framework is a spiritual path of surrender, inventory, amends, and service—a process often rooted in accountability and personal responsibility. However, as effective as the 12-step
Years ago, I was asked to speak at a conference on Addiction and Mental Health about Vietnam, PTSD and combat veterans. And so I did. And, during that talk, I also spoke in depth of my father. My father, Dennis,
The use of symbolic dates and times has a deep resonance within psychedelic practices, where timing often aligns with personal intentions, cosmic events, or numerological patterns to enhance the meaning of the experience. Below, we explore how the significance of
The weight of war clings to me like a shadow, one that I’ve learned to carry in silence. When I first came back from active combat, it felt like I’d been dropped on a planet where everyone spoke the same
As the nation turns its collective gaze to the ballot boxes today, feelings of division, hope, anxiety, and determination swirl in the air. It’s in these moments of heightened tension that we can find solace in the wisdom of the
In 1953, nearly two decades after co-founding Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson penned a letter that would eventually become one of the most influential pieces in understanding the complexities of long-term sobriety. In it, he explored what he called “emotional sobriety,”
Growing up Catholic, I learned early on about sin, guilt, and penance. I remember sitting in church, watching candlelight flicker across the statues of saints, feeling awed by their holiness but convinced I could never be like them. I prayed,
Growing up, Halloween was…different. My parents were draped in their own chaos, often more interested in the next drink than in their children’s happiness. I’d cobble together costumes from whatever I could find, dreaming of the “real” costumes I saw
At my first recovery meeting, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being both relieved and trapped. The room was dim, the chairs arranged in a circle, and the walls were bare save for a few posters with slogans: One day
In the world of psychedelic-assisted recovery, the concepts of set and setting are often emphasized as foundational to a safe and meaningful journey. These terms—originally popularized by Timothy Leary—refer to the mindset (set) of the individual and the environment (setting)
The evolution of recovery and healing philosophies reveals a striking contrast between early 20th-century spiritual approaches and more contemporary psychological frameworks. The Oxford Group, a Christian-based movement that heavily influenced the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), emphasized the concept of
As the growing movement toward the decriminalization and therapeutic use of psychedelics gains momentum, one particular day has begun to capture the imagination of the psychedelic community: September 20—affectionately known as “Psychedelic Mushroom Day.” Much like April 20 (4/20) has