Stories of Recovery | Alcoholism, Addiction & 12 Step Spirituality

When Matt checked into the hospital at the age of 28, he had a 0.42 blood alcohol level and the doctors thought he might die. Fast forward nearly 21 years, and he is one of the longtime counselors at MARR. He talks about the immeasurable value of our failures, and how being perfect would be […]

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I needed to get drunk to be in a bathing suit. I couldn’t be intimate with my partner sober.  These are just some of the stories that Alison Makely hears as the Disordered Eating Therapist at the Women’s Recovery Center. She discusses the practice of body acceptance at MARR and its important for recovery.  Also, disordered eating […]

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Art is a MARR alum from 1996, who relapsed after that, and came back through in 1998. He identifies himself as an alcoholic whose drug of choice is “whatever’s next.” Art came in to our studio, sat down, and told his story. He didn’t really even need any prompting or questions. You just need to […]

The post Ep 25: Alcohol, Cocaine, and Sex Addiction appeared first on .

Both Jordan and Kristen spend their days talking with potential clients and their families about coming into treatment at MARR. They talk about some of the initial concerns of clients and families–specifically cost, our reputation in the field, and how the non-profit structure allows us to provide the best treatment we can. They also share […]

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Bruce characterizes himself as “feral” and “undomesticated” when he walked into the doors of MARR at 42.  A self-described smooth talking bar owner and salesmen, Bruce talks about how his continued involvement as part of the MARR family for over 15 years has allowed him to transform his outlook on life. He went from being […]

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One of the unique things about MARR as a treatment center is the level of community involvement from people are not counselors or clients but just volunteers. The MARR volunteers will all tell you that they continue to participate in the community because they get something out of it themselves. In this episode, I talk […]

The post Ep 22: I Always Get Back More Than I Give appeared first on .

Lindsey M. was the guest speaker at MARR’s Celebration of Recovery Banquet this year. She sits down at the podcast table to talk about how she has experienced a complete personality change through working the 12 steps and that by participating in that process she doesn’t let go of her fears, but rather her fears […]

The post Ep 21: Uncovering What’s Already There appeared first on .

Whether associated with MARR as alumni, family members, volunteers, current clients, staff, or outside professionals, every year friends of MARR gather to reconnect and recognize the lives that have been transformed in the course of the organization’s 40 plus years. Over 800 people were in attendance at this year’s Annual Celebration of Recovery Banquet and […]

The post Ep 20: Live from the Banquet appeared first on .

Even though three years ago, Bryan was drinking himself to death in an apartment covered with beer cans, today he clearly states: “My problem was never drinking. It was how I think and feel inside that was never looked at, cured, tended to.” At MARR Bryan learned that underneath his easy-going exterior he was angrier […]

The post Ep 19: MARR Saved My Life—Twice appeared first on .

What are the three most important elements for effective treatment? 1. Safety. 2. Safety. 3. Safety. At MARR this requires constant, careful attention to the health of the community, and the staff’s commitment to live by the same spiritual principles they are asking the clients to live by. Jim Seckman discusses how his 30 years […]

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