Recovery & Growth

Recovery & Growth — what we offer to readers on this topic...

See our Resource Pages for additional information on each topic.

Leaving the Addiction Switch in the Off Position, the Recovery Choice

Leaving the Addiction Switch in the Off Position, the Recovery Choice

I have been in recovery quite literally my entire adult life. The early days were very difficult. I was 21 years old attempting to stay in recovery and avoid all alcohol and other drug use while my peer group was in full experimentation mode. As I developed what is called recovery capital, recovery became easier. Yet, it is important for me to note here for readers that recovery is something I need to pay attention to. I take care of myself to stay in recovery. I am a few weeks shy of 38 years in recovery, I have developed a lot of recovery capital. Yet sustaining recovery still takes effort. 

read more

Fourth of July Note

Editor’s Note: Happy Fourth of July week! In thinking about my many freedoms, I realized I was free to take a couple weeks off from writing this blog! My co-author Joy Jones and I are doing final edits on our book about Bill and Lois Wilson and their impact on the world of addiction and recovery. As noted in last week’s post Summer’s Gifts…

read more
Racial equity and the early A.A. experience – “justice for all”?

Racial equity and the early A.A. experience – “justice for all”?

Last week’s post celebrated the wedding anniversary of Bill and Lois Wilson, co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (Bill) and Al-Anon Family Groups (Lois). We looked at their life and legacy from the point of view of our national aspirations of “liberty and justice for all”. We explored how many people today are free from the hell of alcohol, drugs, and other addictions because of the Twelve Step movement the Wilsons and others pioneered.

read more
Celebrating Bill and Lois Wilson and their Courage

Celebrating Bill and Lois Wilson and their Courage

Last week we celebrated the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. My post invited us to reflect on progress and reversals in America’s ongoing struggle to reach our stated aspiration of “liberty and justice for all.” This week I will celebrate the marriage of Bill and Lois Wilson which took place on January 24, 1918, and honor their contribution to “liberty and justice for all.”

read more
Bill and Lois Wilson – A Love Story to Know About  

Bill and Lois Wilson – A Love Story to Know About  

I am back from a trip to New York to continue research on Bill and Lois Wilson. My friend and colleague Joy Jones and I are writing a book about Bill and Lois Wilson and how their marriage changed the world. We have a working draft of the book. We are now in the tedious part of making sure the story makes sense, is accurate and advances our hopes in writing the book.

read more
Recovery, Love and Community

Recovery, Love and Community

September is National Recovery Month. Granted, Recovery Month is less well-known than Black History Month or Gay Pride Month. I almost missed it again this year, but for a friend who mentioned it.  Last week in reflecting on the Celebration of Life for my brother John, I commented on the sense of community at the gathering of his friends and our family.  More specifically I commented on the love in the room and how my ability to see, feel and give love continues to grow as I age.

read more
Retirement and activity addiction – not me?

Retirement and activity addiction – not me?

For most of the over forty years I was working, I had no plan to retire. I was “mission-driven.” I worked for nonprofits that were committed to changing something; I embraced and lived for that mission. First, was a community organization in Baltimore working to stabilize the northeast part of the city where there was racial blockbusting and instability due to the racist practices of realtors and investors. Next, I worked in neighborhoods revitalizing aging and deteriorated housing. That led to working on neighborhood development nationally which required travel. And then, I assisted non-profit executives with their career transitions.

read more

About Tom Adams

Tom AdamsTom Adams writes and speaks on topics vital to the intersection of our personal lives with our community and global lives. He has for decades been engaged in and written about nonprofit leadership and transitions, spirituality and spiritual growth, how we each contribute to a more just and equitable world and recovery from addictions and the Twelve Step recovery movement.