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

  • My Recovery!

    By Ernest W. I smoked cannabis (marijuana) for 20 years. I went into a partial hospitalization program, attended a few hours a day of a 12-step structured program with other support classes, and received education about addiction, and confessed my problem. I got a referral to Marijuana Anonymous. I had thought smoking several times a…

    My Recovery!
  • A Third Step Prayer

    By Anonymous Source, I devote myself to all that is, and offer my lifeforce essence in heartfelt desire to the betterment of myself and those around me in solidarity and oneness—for I am my siblings, and we are all one people. Allow my hardships, successes, and my life on your terms, to be a testament…

    A Third Step Prayer
  • Becoming a Sponsor

    By, Ras M. I have really come to embrace being a Sponsor. It was only a year and a half ago that the idea gave me the heebeegeebees. I’d already had a few not so great experiences with newcomers who would reach out in inappropriate ways. It’s been a journey of fortifying my own boundaries,…

    Becoming a Sponsor
  • A Prayer On My 30th Day Sober

    By, Fran B. Great Spirit, make my eyes clearer each dayRight my visionHeal my broken heartHelp me to know that tears won’t kill me, but smoke and alcohol willHelp me to learn to love myselfHelp me find hope and a new way of lifeGive me a purpose—a reason to go on that runs deeperA through…

    A Prayer On My 30th Day Sober
  • Hiding Behind My Mask

    By, Cassie C. Why me?Why am I the one, who has to hide their true self behind this mask?To be accepted?This world is socruel, so cold, sonarrowminded.I know I have a past.They tell me not to hide my true self.So why am I being forced to hide behind this mask?To be accepted.To be wanted.To be…

    Hiding Behind My Mask
  • Healing My Inner Child Through Self Love

    By, Fiona M. As I have come into Steps 10 and 11, with a solid daily meditation practice and my Step 3 prayer, and my Step 5 and 7 prayer (which changes every day), I think that I have found the root of my problem. The thing which I suffered from the most in active…

    Healing My Inner Child Through Self Love