BRC RECOVERY BLOG

Finding Hope and Help in the Midst of Addiction: Healing Your Family

Deathiversary of my son’s death Yesterday was the fifth anniversary (deathiversary?) of my son’s death of a drug overdose. Brandon was one of those people who are larger than life. He was the life of the party. He had a loud voice, a lot of...

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....

A Life Worth Living

“Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.” William James “Don’t give up before the miracle happens” AA Slogan (Fannie Flagg) The mind is a powerful thing -- capable of learning, understanding, reasoning, and creating many things. But for...

University High School: The Recovery High School of Tomorrow

By Mary H. In Austin, between the Texas state capitol and the UT tower, there is a small Christian church. In the fall of 2014, it will open its doors as the city’s only “sober” high school. University High School will join more than 20 high...

Out of the Frying Pan and into Addiction Recovery

Remember the frying pan, “This is your brain on drugs” public service announcements of the late 80s and 90s? Fried eggs and “Just say no” did nothing to prevent or intervene my growing drug and alcohol usage during the decades of crack cocaine, Ecstasy and meth....

Holiday Stress in Drug and Alcohol Recovery

Tradition 10: “Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.” The holiday season is right around the corner, and this is a challenging time both for addicts and for their families. Overindulging—both in terms...

Painting Over Insecurity

Most people approach new situations with joy, excitement, and anticipation. BRC Recovery took the female residents on an outing this week that was no different. Looking around the art studio, I observed carefree conversations, laughter, and merriment. The excitement for me, however, was short-lived. Waiting...

The Pieces of Vulnerability

Just like pieces to a jigsaw puzzle, I take the lessons God presents in my life and connect them to create a cohesive picture. The pieces to my life puzzle this week: -“Triumph of the inner spirit” While sharing his story at BRC Recovery, Mike...

13 Tips Gained from 13 Miles

Unlike the Boy Scouts who are always prepared, I arrived at my very first half marathon lacking some fundamental “Do’s” and “Don’ts.” After some practical experience with the process, however, I learned these basic guidelines to make future races a bit easier: 1. Weather—always check...

BRC Recovery: A Sense of Community During Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery

On Saturday, March 9, current residents of BRC Recovery, Alumni, family and proud members of Austin’s Recovery Community gathered at the Mark Houston Hall to hear former Program Director Audrey C. tell her story. My house manager said to me once that you know...

Never Ask Why

I had a conversation recently with a dear friend about the importance of “not asking why” We agreed that this was one of the biggest lessons we learned from the BRC Recovery experience. I know that when I first arrived, it was hard for...

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