May 2, 2017 / By BRC Recovery / In Alumni Personal Stories, Alumni Stories, Blog

Once an Alumni, Always an Alumni

BRC Recovery Let’s be honest, none of us ever thought that checking into residential treatment meant that we were being welcomed into a new family. I surely never thought it would turn out this way, but I am eternally grateful that it did! Today, as an alumna, I have a second family that will love me unconditionally no matter what. That’s what makes BRC Recovery and Spearhead Lodge so special.  Once you are here, you are always welcome. Once an alumni, always an alumni. Writing this blog as the Alumni Coordinator of both BRC Recovery and Spearhead Lodge comes with […]

Feb 7, 2017 / By BRC Recovery / In Alumni Personal Stories, Alumni Stories, Blog, Family, God

The FACTS vs. The FEELINGS

What are the facts? When is the last time in the midst of an emotional crisis you stopped to ponder the question, “What are the facts?” I can tell you in all honesty that it has taken years of practice to be able to pause with enough clarity and force myself to answer. Why is that? Perhaps because it is so much more satisfying to concoct the story in accordance with how I feel at any given moment rather than consider how my emotions may be potentially driving the drama. Feelings are often what we cling to first because they […]

Dec 6, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In Alumni Personal Stories, Alumni Stories, Blog, Family, God

The Gift of Presence

Regret Of The Past Have you ever wondered what it would be like to not live in fear of the future or regret of the past? Where would your mind wander and where would your focus land if not in front of you or behind you? The answer is simple. You would live in the here and now which is the ultimate goal of the awakened spirit. It sounds so simple anyway. Everywhere we look are beautifully written poems hung with fancy frames in the hallways of homes or inspiring sayings sewn into throw pillows on the couches. They encourage […]

Sep 20, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In 12 Steps 2, Addiction, Alumni Personal Stories, Alumni Stories, Blog, God, Prayer

Divine Intervention

BRC Recovery For many years, I bought into the delusion that if I wanted to stop using, I would. “I just don’t want to,” was my response to family members and loved ones who watched me face external and internal consequences repeatedly.  Despite the uncontrollable sadness, anxiety, overwhelming anger, and an overall inability to show up for life, I could not see how sobering up would solve these problems. It seemed impossible, and honestly, I was not interested in a new way of living. At 18 years old, I was faced with a number of legal consequences – consequences I […]

Aug 2, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Alcoholism, Alumni Personal Stories, Alumni Stories, Blog, drug addiction, drug rehab Austin, Drugs, God, long-term sobriety Austin, mens program

Create the Fellowship You Crave

My struggle with alcoholism and drug addiction My struggle with alcoholism and drug addiction began at the age of twelve years old. I have experienced darkness that neither I nor my family were prepared to encounter.  From multiple hospital and psychiatric unit stays, to jails and twenty-five residential treatment centers it continued for what felt like an eternity.  I was the garden variety drunk who chronically relapsed.  Nothing could keep me sober and I tried everything that I thought possibly would, except the 12 Steps of course.  I reconciled that I would likely spend the rest of my life in […]

Jul 26, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Alumni Personal Stories, Alumni Stories, Blog, drug addiction, Drugs, Heroin, womens program

Coming Full Circle

BRC Recovery’s Bringing Real Change To some it may seem that moving back home to the Northeast in the midst of a heroin pandemic was completely irrational, but today I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have been given the rare opportunity to carry the message of hope to those suffering from the disease of addiction in my community through BRC Recovery’s Bringing Real Change NE Citywide Meeting. Growing up in small town New England was everything out of a story book.  The fresh cut green grass, the vibrant colors of the autumn leaves and the cheering on the […]

Jul 19, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In Alumni Stories, Blog, Family, God, Health and Wellness, long-term sobriety Austin, Personal Stories

The Family Afterward

Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Appropriately titled The Family Afterward, the ninth chapter in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous begins to answer the first question I am asked by those surrounding their newly sober loved one. Now what? The alcoholic has begun their journey and the family is curious as to where to place their own energy and what role to play moving forward. This chapter applies to many beyond the scope of a family member. It could in fact be titled, “To Anyone Who Loves an Alcoholic.” The disease of alcoholism and addiction is so deeply rooted in […]

Jul 12, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In 12 Steps 2, Alumni Personal Stories, Alumni Stories, Blog, mens program, sober living, sober living Austin

My Journey Through Sobriety

Before arriving at BRC Before arriving at BRC I was a broken man. Struggling in life, jobless, penniless, drowning in alcohol, drugs, and misery, a shell of my former self. Not knowing where or how I went wrong in life, I was lost. Fortunately my worried, loving, and supporting parents held an intervention on me and by the grace of God, I ended up on BRC’s doorstep. At that point in my life I wanted to change, but I just didn’t know how or even where to start. Through the excellent direction, support, and caring of the staff, I started to gain […]