Golden sunlight falls across the face of a wall clock.

A Poem for The Addict Still Struggling

Written by, River B.

Hour one: put it down

Hour two: tell someone

Hour three: get to a meeting

Hour four: it’s Higher Power I’m seeking

Hour five: listen, journal, cry

Hour six: you gotta stay alive

Hour seven: stay with the pack

Hour eight: flush the stash

Hour nine: okay, now breathe

Hour ten: stay in your seat

Hour eleven: first step, remember

Hour twelve: it starts with surrender

Published in A New Leaf – November 2026


More Articles

  • Little Victories

    Written by, Ernest F. I remember someone saying to share at a meeting. Someone may be going through what you have been through or have known personally. Victories should be shared even if they are little; it provides others with a sense of looking forward, or hope! Meditation has gotten better for me, I use…

    Little Victories
  • Durable Insight

    Written by, Sashank V. I imagine the brain to be an intricate Rube Goldberg machine, where a tiny stream of water flows over tributaries, spinning little water wheels, and setting tiny parcels afloat or aground based on the tide and logic of the day. Smoking marijuana is like setting a fire hose upon this delicate…

    Durable Insight
  • Why MA?

    By, Chuck R. A lot of people in other 12 Step programs ask the question, “Why Marijuana Anonymous?” I tell them that for twelve years, I was in and out of AA and NA and could not put together any length of sobriety or stop smoking pot. I tell them that I could stop drinking…

    Why MA?
  • Notes from a Newcomer

    By, Terri R. I will always remember my first MA meeting. I was scared and nervous, but I remember all of that melting away as the meeting started. Soon I realized, “This is where I need to be.” I could relate to what I was hearing. Listening intently, I was amazed that there was a…

    Notes from a Newcomer
  • Terry’s Story

    By, Terry M. Today I have many things to be grateful for. In the past three years, my life has changed a lot. To list all these changes would be impossible. There are so many things I take for granted today that I would not have known before the changes of these last few years.…

    Terry’s Story
  • Daddy

    By, Rich C. As a child, I called you Daddy. As I grew up, it became Dad. You didn’t often (or hardly ever) say, “I love you son.” Rather, you showed love. Often, we regret the things not said. Or, regret the hurtful things sometimes said. Before you died, you made amends. You said the…

    Daddy