Stories of Recovery | Alcoholism, Addiction & 12 Step Spirituality

Lane H. is a practicing dentist who came to MARR after facing dramatic consequences in his career related to his addiction. He describes the circumstances of how he arrived at MARR and what his treatment looked like in the Recovering Professionals Program at MARR. We will also hear from staff members Rick McKain and Doug […]

The post Ep 37: Recovery Saves Professional Careers appeared first on .

After 11 years, Paul Thim is retiring from his position as a primary counselor at the Men’s Recovery Center at MARR.  Paul discusses what he learned during this time as a counselor at MARR and how the field of substance abuse treatment complemented his career as an Episcopal priest. He also reflects on the role […]

The post Ep 36: The Quiet Power of Recovery appeared first on .

Darrell knows desperation firsthand. He describes his first drink at age 15 as a spiritual experience—something he needed without realizing he needed it. Alcohol worked for him for about a year. The next several decades were full of fear and confusion. Eventually he made his way to MARR, coming to treatment here twice, and getting […]

The post Ep 35: You Can’t Enjoy Crack in Moderation appeared first on .

Ashley was drinking constantly and could not tolerate being alone. She wanted help, but she only wanted it on specific terms. For example, she didn’t want to do a 12 Step based treatment program.  But after hearing from Stacee F. about her family’s experience with MARR, Ashley found some willingness and checked into MARR. Now […]

The post Ep 34: I Started to Feel Safe Here appeared first on .

Research has shown, and continues to show, that shame and addiction go hand in hand. In this episode, we hear from two counselors on the topic of treating clients with addiction and how addressing shame is foundational to recovery. Our guests today are Patrice Alexander and experienced Atlanta-based therapist who works in private practice, Alyce […]

The post Ep 33: Shame and Addiction Love Working Together appeared first on .

Corky says that recovery was like climbing out of a dark cave he didn’t even know he was in.  A self-described “wreck” with a blood pressure of 220/140, he came into treatment at MARR almost 17 years ago. For over two months, he spent his time planning to get drunk when he left. Then the […]

The post Ep 32: My Drink of Choice Was Listerine appeared first on .

Entering recovery doesn’t mean that life becomes trouble-free. Recovery involves setbacks, disappointments, and emotionally charged, frightening moments. In the last episode, Lindsey described the progression of her alcoholism, but here she describes the progression of her recovery. The stories she tells from her time in treatment at MARR demonstrate how stopping drinking and using is […]

The post Ep 31: Part 2 | Recovery from Alcoholism appeared first on .

When Lindsey started drinking during her senior year of high school she was already blacking out. By the time she called MARR over 10 years later, she had lost her dream job due to her alcoholism and thought her life was over. She found out through experience that she might be able to stop drinking […]

The post Ep 30: Part 1 | Denial of Alcoholism appeared first on .

Dave Devitt checked into MARR in January 1987. Eventually he made his way back to school to study psychology in order to understand the disease he suffered from and learn how he could help others. Now as one of MARR’s longstanding and beloved counselors, he reflects on his time both as a client and counselor […]

The post Ep 29: Spitting in the Soup appeared first on .

One of them was crawling under his house disconnecting the phones to protect himself. Another had the DEA show up at his place of business with guns and badges. The third was discharged from the Navy and caught stealing wallets from young women at a bar. Those are the situations that brought them into treatment […]

The post Ep 28: Miracles Happen appeared first on .