Recovery & Growth

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

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 Addictions, Families and 90 years of Recovery

 Addictions, Families and 90 years of Recovery

by | Jun 10, 2025 |

Today is the 90th anniversary of the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, marked by the day Dr. Bob Smith had his last drink and began sobriety.  Bill Wilson introduced him to what became the Steps and principles of A.A. at a historic Mother’s  Day meeting a few weeks earlier in Akron, Ohio. Alcoholic drinking for decades led Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith to despair; it was a physical, economic, and spiritual bottom that was destroying them and their families. From this meeting, Alcoholics Anonymous was born.  Today’s post celebrates this miracle and all its good that has changed the world over the past 90 years. 

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The “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act and Faith in Action

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act and Faith in Action

by | Jun 3, 2025 | ,

Last week I began to think about writing a post about the pain the Appropriation bill passed by the U. S. House of Representatives on May 22, 2025 will cause, if it becomes law.  I experienced an attack of deep sadness; I lost all energy to do anything for a day.   This post is about the challenge of learning about and feeling the pain in the world. How do we hold on to faith, believing that all will be well?

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Lessons from Wiscosin Art Museums

Lessons from Wiscosin Art Museums

by | May 27, 2025 |

Geraldine and I spent three days in Cedarburg, WI last week. It is an amazing historic town founded in 1885. Its early days were as a mill town along Cedar Creek. It maintains the character of a small mill town and is full of life, arts, music, and fun. Geraldine’s brother and wife settled there over thirty years ago and raised two outdoor loving and artistic daughters.

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Addiction=Isolation    Recovery=Community

Addiction=Isolation    Recovery=Community

by | May 20, 2025 |

Editor’s Note: Writing A Marriage that Changed the World with Joy Jones has brought me many gifts and graces. Among them is Joy introducing me to her friend Debbie Jackson’s partner, Bill Lammers. Bill has been involved with addiction recovery for decades and shares two deep insights I found helpful and important: addiction and recovery are about relationships and community and there are many pathways to recovery. There is broad application to Bill’s message. Enjoy!

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A Sentimental Journey with Anne B., Co-Founder of Al-Anon

A Sentimental Journey with Anne B., Co-Founder of Al-Anon

by | May 6, 2025 |

Editor’s Note: Today’s guest contributor offers a unique perspective on the lesser-known co-founder of Al-Anon Family Groups, Anne B. Claire R. provides us an on-location view of how Lois Wilson and Anne B. connected in Westchester County and worked together to start a Clearing House for Family Groups that became Al-Anon Family Groups, a world-wide Twelve Step fellowship for families and friends of people with drinking problems. In respect for the principle of anonymity, Claire uses last initials only. She refers to her sponsor, a person who guides a member of a Twelve Step fellowship through the Twelve Steps. 

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How African Americans joined Alcoholics Anonymous

How African Americans joined Alcoholics Anonymous

by | Feb 11, 2025 | ,

Writing a book is full of surprises – some that are delightful and others that are what you might call challenging growth opportunities. Beginning with this post, I will share some of what I have learned. By far, the greatest joy is the many people I have met and their generosity in sharing their experiences and wisdom. Each of them enriched my life and I hope to add depth and light to the book, A Marriage That Changed The World, for readers. (Now available on Amazon.) 

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Lessons Learned from Bill and Lois

Lessons Learned from Bill and Lois

by | Feb 4, 2025 |

Editor’s Note: Our guest contributor today is Joy Jones, my friend, collaborator and co-author of A Marriage that Changed the World: Lois and Bill Wilson and the Addiction Recovery Movement. Joy shares some of her many lessons from co-authoring this book. We’re delighted to let you know A Marriage that Changed the World will be available in paperback on Amazon by Friday, Feb. 7 and e-book now for pre-order with delivery Feb 10.

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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.