The 12-Steps Provide Us With a Daily Reprieve

Alcoholism and addiction are diseases of a three-fold nature that affect us mentally, spiritually, and physically. First, we have the physical allergy to drugs and alcohol, meaning that people like us can’t safely use alcohol in any form at all. Once we start, we can’t stop – no matter how badly we want to. Living […]

Do the 12-Steps Really Work?

This is a complicated and even controversial question in some circles. The short answer is yes. The long answer is also yes – but there are some things to consider. For many alcoholics and addicts, even if they have trauma or mental health issues, the 12-Steps have meant the difference between life and death. The […]

Overcoming Fear

It takes a brave man to admit that he is afraid. Most of us hate to admit that we are ever afraid. Living in addiction and alcoholism, we have likely done plenty of terrifying things. We tell people who don’t understand and they are shocked. When we tell people in recovery our story, they don’t […]

Jaywalker Lodge: Who We Are and What We Believe

At Jaywalker Lodge, it is our philosophy that makes us who we are. We are committed to our mission because it is born out of love. Simply put, we believe wholeheartedly in what we do. Our belief shapes our values and guides our conduct in everything we do at Jaywalker Lodge. We Know Your Pain […]

Dealing with Temptation

Our struggles with alcoholism and addiction change us greatly, but they do not change the fact that other people react to alcohol (and even some drugs) differently than we do. We must accept the fact that we are bodily and mentally different from our fellows. We can never safely use alcohol in any form at […]

Embracing Recovery

Many alcoholics and addicts who truly want to get sober, but find themselves unable to stay sober for long, struggle with the concept of recovery. It can be hard to picture ourselves freed from the prison of our disease. Of course, we see that recovery is possible. We see it in meetings, or we have […]

What Is Jaywalker Lodge?

Jaywalker Lodge is not a rehab. It’s not simply a treatment facility either. Jaywalker Lodge is based on something more than either of those models. We don’t really get sober in rehab – we get sober in a community. Recovery doesn’t happen in a hospital, it happens in the shift of how we relate to […]

Mental and Emotional Health in Recovery

Our time spent in alcoholism and addiction can wreak havoc on our emotional and mental health. When we finally find recovery, we are usually pleased with how directly sobriety addresses our physical health and how soundly the 12-Steps begin to heal us spiritually. Sobriety and the 12-Steps also help our mental and emotional health, incredibly […]

How Can I Get Sober?

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? First, do you want to get sober? The reason why you want to get sober is not as important as knowing how to get sober – but it is still important. You may want to get sober because your life is a wreck, you’re in pain, everything is a […]

How Can I Find Recovery in the Days of COVID-19?

Certainly these are unprecedented times. Things are vague, perhaps even frightening, and much seems unclear. The murkiness of these times can make any other concerns we have magnified or harder to deal with. It is true that alcoholism and drug addiction do not discriminate. They can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. Add social isolation, […]