What If the Obsession to Drink or Use Doesn’t Go Away?

For alcoholics and addicts, the mental obsession to drink or use is one of the most dangerous symptoms of our disease. It is a hallmark symptom, and one from which we have all suffered. In the same way that our disease is something common among us, so too is our solution. If the 12-Steps work […]

Love and Tolerance of Others Is Our Code

For most alcoholics and addicts, it was our personal relationships — with friends, family, significant others, or even strangers — that we found to be the most vexing and difficult. We couldn’t be the person we wanted to be when interacting with others, and we often seemed to cause harm even when our intentions were […]

How Can I Encourage Someone In Recovery?

Most of us have a loved one who has struggled with alcoholism or addiction at some point in their lives, whether it’s a child, a significant other, a parent, or a friend. Much of our questions and concerns revolve around what to do to help them when they are in their active disease. We have […]

Embracing the Good in Life

Most alcoholics and addicts unwittingly become accustomed to negative circumstances, high-stress feelings, and what we often call “bad luck.” While everyday life does sometimes bring these things, it’s seldom as negative and stressful as our life in active alcoholism or addiction was. Unfortunately, many alcoholics and addicts like us get so used to the worst […]

Can the 12-Steps Really Help With All My Problems?

Alcoholism and addiction are extremely problematic diseases. They cause a whole host of unique and troubling issues. They stem from internal problems within us, but they wreak absolute havoc across every area of our lives. This can create a really overwhelming pile-up of problems. But do not despair — every single day in the fellowship […]

Why “Healing” and “Patience” Can Be Hard Words to Hear

For most alcoholics and addicts, healing and patience are words that can leave us feeling uncomfortable. We aren’t always so sure that our wounds can be healed, whether they’re physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Patience isn’t something we’re very familiar with or fond of either. But it’s important, no matter where we are in our […]

Facilitating Foundations For Recovery

At Jaywalker Lodge, we are driven by experience and proven techniques to achieve our primary mission of 1) ending the vicious cycle of chronic relapse for men who suffer from alcoholism and addiction, and 2) providing them the tools, treatments, healing, and knowledge to achieve long-term recovery. The men who struggle to stay in recovery, […]

Is Being Helpful Really So Important in Recovery?

We are each the main character — the hero — in our own life story, and we learn to see the world through this lens of “self.” This is true for everyone, regardless of their history with addiction. However, for alcoholics and addicts, this focus on self can be dangerous, even deadly. The book of […]

Dealing With Negative Emotions in Recovery

Negative feelings and emotions are a common part of life. They happen to everyone. Sometimes there’s a legitimate reason, but other times they just happen. Maybe we’re just having a bad day, or we struggle with mental and emotional health on a regular basis, or perhaps something serious has happened to us. Whatever the cause […]

Dealing With Mental Health Issues in Addiction

Many alcoholics and addicts experience co-occurring mental health issues. Such issues are no longer as misunderstood as they were even 30 years ago. Thanks to modern medical science and psychiatry, co-occurring mental health issues can often be successfully addressed. Those of us who experience concerns of mental and emotional wellness can usually receive proper, effective […]