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

  • Lost in The Clouds

    Written by, Fe J Did they just say my name? My head hurts. My brain is foggy, hazy, still filled with smoke. “Fe, would you like to introduce yourself?” Oh, God. That’s my name. Suddenly it feels like the AC isn’t working. I straighten my posture sitting on my bed, hot and uncomfortable. Can I…

    Lost in The Clouds
  • Faith Can Be Slippery

    Written by, Susan C. I didn’t know what trust was when I got into recovery. I had no faith. Pot had been my higher power for more than 15 years. When people said their higher power was keeping them clean and sober, I was confused. How come I used so much longer than I wanted…

    Faith Can Be Slippery
  • Buh-Bye, MJ

    Written by, Jen B. Dear MJ, Goodbye. I have decided that I am better off without you. Kicking you off my porch and out of my car felt freeing today. I don’t need you to enjoy my walk — it’s more peaceful without you. I don’t want you clouding my judgment ever again. You are…

    Buh-Bye, MJ
  • How We Grow

    Written by, District 29 – Ireland Much gratitude from District 29 Ireland to you for inviting us to celebrate Irish Heritage Month with you. For those of you who may not be familiar with D29, we are a small but growing district, officially born in 2024 thanks to the dedicated service of a handful of…

    How We Grow
  • Counting Down the Days

    Written by, Rysse G. I count down the days that I am sober, like a clock to how long I can just be in my life without running. 12 hours.There’s a train barreling down the generations. 1 day.Recovery they call it. What am I recovering? 16 days.I cry like I’m unplugged, like it feels it…

    Counting Down the Days
  • Poem

    Written By, Jessyka C. Don’t know how many more times we can say goodbyeBut I will tryHopefully for one last timeTo see you outThis is itIt’s overI mean thisAnd it’s not like I won’t miss youI willWe were good togetherYou and IWe had some great timesBut MaryYou’re done scaring meWith how much I rely upon…

    Poem