Recovering

By Lisa N.

Recovery – it takes some time.
Minutes turn to days, days to weeks.
While the weeks, they mark the climb.

Work through the months, get to the end.
Recovery is continuous, a journey and path.
No final destination you see, my friend!

Addiction is our illness, connection is our cure.
We wrestle our demons, deal with Life.
Adulting with competence, our goal, to be sure.

Present and feeling, every cry or laugh.
No numbing, no leaving, no escaping.
Living it all fully, not existing only by half.

Course of action is simple, the execution is not.
Struggle with emotions; intense and variable.
Learning how to behave; we change our thoughts.

Better ways of communicating with friends.
We understand ourselves, our family, more.
Life becomes clear, we heal and make amends.

Recovery continues as long as we’re alive.
We continue to grow through our experiences.
We adapt, we keep evolving. We thrive.

Published in A New Leaf – June 2025

  • Where am I, and why am I here?

    What began as a requirement to get a driver’s license back became a new way of living.

    Where am I, and why am I here?
  • How the Steps Come Alive in Meetings

    How showing up, listening, and sharing in meetings puts all Twelve Steps into practice.

    How the Steps Come Alive in Meetings
  • My Goodbye Letter to Marijuana

    After 37 years, a final goodbye — and a new course toward calmer waters.

    My Goodbye Letter to Marijuana
  • Looking Up

    Written by, Anonymous When I was high I looked up at the stars Each time I pulled in On that little pipe that got clogged up And then I cleaned it with alcohol Boil it in saltwater Boiling cloves cinnamon and nutmeg to try to cover up the smell Dumping the boiling water in the…

    Looking Up
  • Ready?

    Written by, Michael J Ready? The Universe: “Had enough?” Me: “No.” “How ’bout now?” “No!” “Now?” “NO!” “Now?” “Sh*t, sh*t… No, NO, it’s fine! I’m fine.” “?” “Leave me alone!! I said I’m fine.” “Well?” “F*ck, f*ck, f*ck!!!” “?” “One more.” “?” “Damn it. I’m fine, I can do this. I’ll handle it.” … “Where’d…

    Ready?
  • “Pink Cloud”

    Painted By, Jonathan B. Caption: This is an early watercolor painting done around day 30 expressing the excitement of early sobriety, while also acknowledging the reality that living life on life’s terms brings unpredictable weather. Published in A New Leaf – September 2026

    “Pink Cloud”