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
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has long been recognized as a diverse and inclusive fellowship, welcoming anyone who has a desire to stop drinking. However, in the 1970s and 1980s, as the LGBTQ+ community began to assert greater visibility and rights, tensions
Cleveland, Ohio, holds a special place in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as the birthplace of the first official AA meeting, and it was also where the first AA book studies began. These early book studies were instrumental in
The first meeting officially named Alcoholics Anonymous took place in Cleveland, Ohio, marking a critical turning point in the early history of the recovery movement. This meeting wasn’t just another gathering of alcoholics seeking sobriety—it was a bold departure from
In the Hero’s Journey, Return with the Elixir is the final stage, where the hero, having undergone profound transformation, returns to their ordinary world carrying the wisdom, knowledge, or healing they gained during the journey. This stage is about sharing
In the Hero’s Journey, The Resurrection represents the hero’s final and most profound transformation. Having faced death or deep crisis in the Ordeal and gained insight during the Reward, the hero now returns to the world with newfound strength and