All Blog Posts (6)

Friends, With so many things changing in my life almost on a daily basis, I sometimes get so caught up in the blessings that my recovery has given me that I lose sight of the important things, the really important things! Sometimes I get so worried about the dumbest things and when that happens I become unfocused and just plan selfish, thinking about the things I think I need that I feel I am missing and I would feel better only If I could buy this or that, or go here & there, If everyone o… Continue

A frantic mother of a 15 year old daughter of a local suburban neighborhood tells her therapist that her daughter has quit the cheerleading squad, no longer dreams of college and becoming a lawyer, and her childhood friends have been replaced with friends she has never met. Her daughter has been isolating, reading all the latest celebrity gossip magazines, and becoming more rebellious at home. Clearly her daughter is pulling away which can be one of the hallmarks of addiction, depression, or an… Continue

I founded SerenityWorks™ Life-Coaching to help spouses, partners and families of addicts to move forward with their lives in early recovery. I am a certified ICF Life Coach, Imago Coach and member of The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH). After years of passionate involvement with partners in early recovery, I developed comprehensive coaching programs to identify and address the special needs of the partner, spouse and family of an alcohol, drug, food or sex addict during the f… Continue

Buddhism and Alcohol By Sanja Blackburn Alcohol consumption is inconsistent with a Buddhist's quest to understand and develop the mind. Buddhists believe that by practicing meditation, wisdom and morality, every individual has the innate ability to experience true happiness. The Buddha encouraged his followers to refrain from consuming any kind of intoxicant. This included alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. These substances are said to be inconsistent with Buddhist beliefs as they distort the mind.… Continue

I have recently retired as a paramedic/firefighter after 32 years. It took me two attempts in Florida to get clean from alcohol. My drinking began in the fall of 2006 and took me by surprise. I never really drank (alcohol) for most of my life and I'm 48 years of age. April 11, 2007 I found myself in a Florida detox and rehab (T.S.). I was not sure how or why I was there. Actually, I was there for an alcohol addiction, so I thought. It was confirmed that I am an alcoholic. As a result of being th… Continue

Many in the recovery community claim to be “Clean and Sober” But, what exactly does this mean? Clean refers to living without using drugs. Sober is used in the same context. However, the definition of “Sober,” also reveals a path, and a desired character. A path, and character, prescribed and modeled, by the founders of the 12 Step Fellowships. A path, and character, prescribed for s

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