Guest Contributors
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10 Common Mistakes That Make Grief Worse
Jason MacKenzie discusses the difficulties of responding to someone in grief, highlighting common mistakes people make, such as minimizing emotions or rushing them to move on. He introduces the LEAD Model, a framework for validating emotions and supporting others effectively.… Continue reading
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Life After Alcohol: Finding Myself in Sobriety (Part Two of Two)
Michael Letzeisen shares his journey from alcoholism to sobriety, highlighting the challenges of admitting his addiction and seeking help. After his wife confronted him, he attended AA meetings, discovered therapy, and embraced sobriety while facing emotional struggles. Despite a turbulent… Continue reading
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From College to Crisis: My Journey with Alcoholism (Part One of Two)
Michael Letzeisen reflects on his lifelong struggle with alcohol addiction, beginning in college and worsening over the years. His drinking escalated, leading to a DUI, relationship tensions, and neglect of family responsibilities. Despite recognizing his problem, he failed to seek… Continue reading
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A Full Circle Moment: My Journey to Recovery
In 1979, the author’s family staged an intervention for an uncle struggling with addiction near a Parksville resort. Years later, in 2001, the author entered treatment at the same facility, experiencing a surreal déjà vu moment that connected past family… Continue reading
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From Rock Bottom to Bearcrawling Toward Purpose
Brenton shares his personal journey from alcohol dependency to recovery. He reflects on the signs of his addiction, including a DUI and deteriorating health. After recognizing his problem in 2022, he sought help and underwent treatment. Now, he embraces sobriety,… Continue reading
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I Don’t Want to Be Disabled, But I Am
Sarah Fader challenges the negative connotations of “disability,” expressing frustration with societal labels that deem her inadequate. Embracing her uniqueness, she rejects the idea of “normal” and advocates for self-acceptance. As CEO of Stigma Fighters and an accomplished author, she… Continue reading
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On A Mission From God
On a fateful Friday, Kevin Paull received a distressing call from a sponsee in Texas, revealing his wife’s sudden death. He decided to support his friend, traveling for several days to be with him. Kevin later learned of another tragedy… Continue reading
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Balancing Motherhood and Recovery: Lessons Learned
Danielle Itgen shares her journey of battling heroin addiction while becoming a mother. After confronting her addiction, losing custody of her daughter, and committing to recovery, she regained custody after two and a half years. By embracing her dual identity… Continue reading
