Jul 19, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In Alumni Stories, Blog, Family, God, Health and Wellness, long-term sobriety Austin, Personal Stories

The Family Afterward

Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Appropriately titled The Family Afterward, the ninth chapter in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous begins to answer the first question I am asked by those surrounding their newly sober loved one. Now what? The alcoholic has begun their journey and the family is curious as to where to place their own energy and what role to play moving forward. This chapter applies to many beyond the scope of a family member. It could in fact be titled, “To Anyone Who Loves an Alcoholic.” The disease of alcoholism and addiction is so deeply rooted in […]

Jun 28, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In Blog, Family, Personal Stories, Prayer, Recovery

Ethics and Mama Birds

Mama Bird, With Two Babies For the last few weeks my husband and I have been watching a potential tragedy unfold. A mama bird decided to make a nest for her babies. She has been working very diligently on a daily basis to build the best and safest nest for her offspring. Unfortunately, she placed the nest in the corner of our garage, in the midst of a mix of brooms, mops, shovels, and other miscellaneous tools. The placement is precarious at best; a strong wind could bring the whole operation toppling down. In addition, she is unable to sit […]

May 10, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Alcoholism, Blog, Family, General Category 4, Guest Posts, Health and Wellness, long-term sobriety Austin

A Parent’s Perspective: Finding Help, Hope, and Health

My world was spinning out of control and I had no idea how to fix it. Of my four sons, one was dead of a drug overdose, and another was a severe alcoholic, although I didn’t really understand or believe that at the time. Relationships among family members were fraught with tension and unexpressed feelings, and my marriage had deteriorated severely. Figuratively speaking, I clung to each of my living sons fiercely, leaving my talon marks in their flesh. I demanded that my oldest son, who lives out of town, call me weekly; and I spent most of my time […]

Apr 19, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In 12 Steps 2, Alcohol rehab, Alumni Personal Stories, Blog, Family, God, Health and Wellness, mens program, Personal Stories, Prayer, Recovery

The Power of Step 12

STEP 12 “We tried to carry this message to other alcoholics.” It still amazes me how this line from Step 12 carries so much power! We learn on pg. 89 of the Big Book, “that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.” With long term sobriety being the goal for myself, I follow these instructions only to find that the real freedom is when I get to carry the message of hope to another alcoholic or drug addict. The key to my freedom today is being able to carry the message of recovery into hospitals […]

Apr 5, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Addiction Relapse, Blog, Drugs, Family, Recovery

A Parent’s Perspective: It’s Your Choice—You Can Get Off the Rollercoaster!

We can’t control what happens to us or around us, but we can choose how we respond. A friend who learned this lesson told me she had finally figured out she needed to get off her daughter’s addiction roller coaster. Instead of riding the coaster with her daughter, she now stands on the platform and waves as her daughter goes through the ups and downs of addiction. Of course, she still loves her daughter, but that is a great illustration of her choosing how she wants to respond. She is always there for her daughter, but is not enabling her […]

Mar 15, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In 12 Steps 2, Addiction, Alumni Personal Stories, Alumni Stories, Blog, drug addiction, Drug Free, Drug News, drug rehab Austin, Drugs, Family, God, Health and Wellness, Women's Issues, womens program

Life is a Privilege

Three years ago Three years ago, as I sat alone paralyzed by fear on yet another seedy motel bathroom floor, I was wondering why I had to experience a level of inexplicable internal pain for what seemed like so many years. The only explanation my besotted mind could believe was this suffering would one day be useful to someone else. I had heard for years that the solution to my self-centered condition was to “help someone else” or, “do something selfless for once in your life”. These notions seemed less than improbable to fill that seemingly insatiable hole within, that’s […]

Mar 8, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In 12 Steps 2, Blog, Family, General Category 4, News

Ethics in Action

Opportunity To Take A Family Trip Recently, some of my family and I had the opportunity to take a family trip to Charleston, South Carolina. My husband, an alumni of The Citadel, and my two youngest sons and I attended his 25th Class Reunion. Steeped in rich tradition and history, Charleston, as well as The Citadel, are amazing parts of our country’s development. As we walked around the barracks just prior to the Homecoming football game, I noticed a sign that read “Ethics in Action”. I inquired and was told that this is one the schools slogans that guide the […]

Feb 23, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Alumni Personal Stories, Alumni Stories, Blog, Family, God, Health and Wellness, Personal Stories, Prayer

A Parent’s Perspective: Finding Serenity

Your phone rings, you see your caller ID, and your stomach churns. You hear sirens and your blood runs cold. You wonder if your son or daughter, your loved one, is in trouble. Will you have to bail him out? Will you have to visit her in the hospital? Or worse? Or it might be other concerns, such as requests for money, help with childcare, or letting him move back in to your home. These questions, fears, and situations are often daily experiences for family members and friends of addicts. Those who love addicts may constantly live in “fight or […]