Stories of Recovery | Alcoholism, Addiction & 12 Step Spirituality

Corky says that recovery was like climbing out of a dark cave he didn’t even know he was in.  A self-described “wreck” with a blood pressure of 220/140, he came...

Entering recovery doesn’t mean that life becomes trouble free. Recovery involves setbacks, disappointments, and emotionally charged, frightening moments. In the last episode, Lindsey described the progression of her alcoholism, but...

When Lindsey started drinking during her senior year of high school she was already blacking out. By the time she called MARR over 10 years later, she had lost her...

Dave Devitt checked into MARR in January 1987. Eventually he made his way back to school to study psychology in order to understand the disease he suffered from and learn...

One of them was crawling under his house disconnecting the phones to protect himself. Another had the DEA show up at his place of business with guns and badges. The...

Art is MARR alum from 1996, who relapsed after that, and came back through in 1998. He identifies himself as an alcoholic who’s drug of choice is “whatever’s next.” Art...

Both Jordan and Kristen spend their days talking with potential clients and their families about coming into treatment at MARR. They talk about some of the initial concerns of clients...

Bruce characterizes himself as “feral” and “undomesticated” when he walked into the doors of MARR at 42.  A self-described smooth talking bar owner and salesmen, Bruce talks about how his...

One of the unique things about MARR as a treatment center is the level of community involvement from people are not counselors or clients but just volunteers. The MARR volunteers...

Lindsey M. was the guest speaker at MARR’s Celebration of Recovery Banquet this year. She sits down at the podcast table to talk about how she has experienced a complete...

Whether associated with MARR as alumni, family members, volunteers, current clients, staff, or outside professionals, every year friends of MARR gather to reconnect and recognize the lives that have been...

Even though three years ago, Bryan was drinking himself to death in an apartment covered with beer cans, today he clearly states: “My problem was never drinking. It was how...

What are the three most important elements for effective treatment? 1. Safety. 2. Safety. 3. Safety. At MARR this requires constant, careful attention to the health of the community, and...

Amy felt like she was being forced into going to treatment for 90 days and that her life was over. Before long, she bonded with her counselor and the women...

Kelsey’s life was chaotic, and she used anger to make sure that her family members wouldn’t be able to help her. Finally she ended up in jail and losing custody...

Families are often surprised to discover the trauma they’ve experienced relating to their loved one’s substance abuse. At MARR, we have dedicated family counselors helping family members address their own...

Dee was in a corporate career for 27 years before his drinking led him to lose his job and to require a 3 week hospital detox. During his time at...

As a part of recovery, the practice of mindfulness can provide a helpful set of tools for staying grounded in the present moment. In early stages, it allows people to get back in...

Ten years ago, Stacee and her husband Terry received the phone call that they had long dreaded. Stacee’s son, Skylar, had died from an overdose at the age of 20. As parents, they...

Rita had an image of what treatment was going to look like, and she was sure that she wasn’t going to fit in. She was wrong. When she finally took...

Haley had been in treatment before and been sober for over 7 years before she relapsed and spent 5 months in active addiction. Then she checked into MARR. She experienced...

In comparison to their male counterparts, women often face additional challenges when it comes to seeking substance abuse treatment. Director of MARR’s Women Center Cailey Binkley, Residential Manager Molly Bengochea...

When Jake checked into detox, he wasn’t planning on going into long-term treatment. But after he heard the stories of MARR clients who were volunteering at the detox facility, he...

Since before they were married up until the present, Kathe S. and Richard S. have stayed close to MARR regardless of what has been going on in their marriage. But...

As a person’s addiction progresses, the family of the addicted person often experiences the development of another disease without realizing it—the disease of codependency. With a loved one in active...