In AA step 9 says we, “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.” In AA step 9 is humbling, and it’s hard, but thankfully, if we’ve worked through Step 8 with our sponsor, then we’re prepared. Step 8 is when we make our list […]

I recently appeared on Scott H Silverman’s Happy Hour where we talk about addiction, sobriety, and my journey through recovery. Watch the entire interview here:

In AA step 8 is, “Made a list of all people we have harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.” What scares most people is step 9—the actual making of the amends—and they usually let that fear keep them from doing the writing that step 8 requires. Remember—you’re not doing step 9 […]

12 step programs work by connecting you to a power greater than yourself that, supposedly, stops whatever behavior you went into the program to stop. This can include: Alcoholism Drug addiction Codependency Overeating Smoking Sex addiction Gambling addiction There are hundreds of 12 step programs, all of which work the same way. You work through […]

Many of those afflicted with addiction might be wondering what the definition of recovery really is. The same applies to families and friends who watch those around them overcome their addictions and seemingly adapt to living what some consider a “normal” life. What is important to understand is that these are two distinctly different things […]

In AA, step 7 is closely aligned with step 6. They’re very similar. In AA, step 7 says, “Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.” A shortcoming is just another word for a character defect, which is a phrase that means, “a fault in the way we act.” This could be lying. It could be […]

In AA, step 6 is one of most misunderstood and misinterpreted of the 12 steps. Step 6 in Alcoholics Anonymous reads, “Were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character.” (Remember, that’s a god of your understanding. You can work the 12 steps without god). When we talk about step 6, we […]

Almost everyone in the world has directly experienced—or had a friend or family member who has dealt with—one of the many different types of addictions that exist. Here are a few of the different types of addictions: Alcohol/drug addiction Social media/video game addiction Food addiction Gambling addiction Sex addiction Shopping addiction Adrenaline addiction Addiction can […]

In AA, step 5 is often looked at as one of the hardest steps that exists. Why? Because the 5th step in AA is confession—and confession is incredibly humbling and humiliating. If you’ve gone through confession before, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Talking about your deepest, darkest secrets isn’t exactly fun—it’s horrible. You […]

The 12 steps without god — can it be done? It’s a question I’ve asked myself on numerous occasions, the main reason for which is that I don’t believe in god. And yet I work the 12 steps. And yet I stay sober. What does that mean? Here’s what I want you to remember—god is […]

How do you get sober? As someone who has struggled with substance abuse, this is a question that I have probably asked a hundred times. You might be a person with a similar experience. You might be asking yourself the same question. Perhaps you are asking because you have a spouse or family member who […]

Step 4 of AA is intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Up to this point in the 12 steps, we’ve done nothing more than answer 3 questions and make a decision. In step 1, we admitted that we were powerless over drugs and alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable. Those are a […]

Step 3 of AA is something I’ve seen hundreds of people struggle with. It’s so hard that many people just can’t get past it at all. But step 3 doesn’t have to be so bad. There are a few ways of looking at it. And to tell you the truth, you don’t have to believe […]

Learning how to be sober is tough, especially when you’ve been drinking/using for years or decades, but surviving early sobriety doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think.  Addicts and alcoholics are survivors, but nothing takes survival skills quite like recovery. Getting off drugs and alcohol is so hard. Getting that first step down […]

Step 1 is the hardest step. It’s a bitch. But step 2 of AA can be just as difficult. It’s a deceptive step. Many people think that they have it the moment they walk in the door because they believe in a higher power–some god from their religion. I think that’s why step 2 in […]

I recently appeared on another awesome addiction podcast called Seasons of Sobriety Listen Now Here’s a few notes on the podcast. Listen to the Addiction Podcast This episode features Adam F. from the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Adam has been sober since August 11, 2011 In Adam’s story you will learn how he dealt with his […]

I recently appeared on The Bubble Hour, an incredible podcast that you guys have got to check out. Listen Now Here’s what the podcast is about: “Adam recounts his early experiences with drugs and alcohol, and describes how he tumbled instantly into addiction at a young age. His problems began to compound as drug use led […]

Religion and politics remain controversial topics that good edicate would suggest you leave out of Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner conversation. However, though 12 step meetings have no opinion on politics, they do talk about God, and quite a bit. God and the 12 steps are so closely aligned that they’re pretty much inseperable. The idea […]

AA is full of predators. I used to be one. 13th stepping is when someone with a lot of time sober (2 years+) hooks up with newcomers (people with little sober time—think 3 months or less). Just so we’re clear, the 13th step is not an actual step (it is the 12 steps after all…). […]

Steps 6 and 7 are so incredibly important. I’ve written about them before for Solutions of North Texas, and they’re something I never tire of because of how powerful a role they play in deciding how happy or unhappy my sobriety is going to be. Here’s a little snippet of the post. The Pain of […]

Recovery Today magazine is an incredible publication that’s perfect for people like us. They recently published my experience with step 1. You can get Recovery Today free on your smart device here. Here’s a little excerpt of what I wrote. Am I Powerless? The First Step They say the first step takes the longest. I’ve […]

I recently wrote a blog post for Solutions of North Texas about steps 6 and 7 and how critical they are for anyone who wants long-term sobriety. The most pain I’ve ever felt in sobriety was from not working these steps. Here’s a little snippet of the article, but you can read the entire post […]

Step 1 of AA: “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol (and drugs)—that our lives had become unmanageable.” I’m sure we’ve all heard this in meetings before: “Step 1 is the only step you have to do perfectly.” I always wondered what the hell that meant. How can a step be done perfectly? What does […]

In the recovery community, we have to grapple with this question all the time: are 12-step groups cults? The answer is complicated. As far as what an addict/alcoholic needs to do to be successful in their recovery, there are many opinions and suggestions, and sometimes they can be so different that the newcomer doesn’t know […]