Osho said, “You cannot live without laughter.” He has a wonderful point! When I got sober, it wasn’t the war stories that hooked me but the echoes of laughter in those dungy, smoky meeting halls. For one thing, there were others there who could relate to the mistakes I made and my subsequent suffering. It was there that I discovered my ability to laugh, not at others, but at situations and circumstances otherwise too dark to face. Ultimately, this is what initially gave me permission to begin the letting-go process regarding my shame and fear. So, a funny thing happens …

Ah, Hallow’s Eve, the one day during the year where one can don masks, dress like anyone or anything they want, and of course, eat lots and lots of candy. To celebrate this phenomena, there are parties galore, some of which happened this past weekend, and some that will occur this evening. Here are some reminders for party savoir faire: Bring your own drinks if you’re concerned that there won’t be any non-alcoholic treats for you. Make sure you have sober friends with you or are surrounded by people who respect your sobriety. Let your sober network know where you’ll …

School has started, though the remnants of the Summer heat are still lingering about. It’s also prime time for Image via Wikipedia the first of many anticipated school parties! For the newly sober, and even for those with a little time under their belts, this might be a source of contention or stress. So, how DO you participate while staying safe and sober? For starters: Bring a friend with you that has your best interests in mind. In other words, someone who isn’t on the fence about you being clean and sober!  Arrange for your own transportation so you don’t …

Summer is here! You know what that means? Longer days, no school, freedom from the confines of homework and school rules, luscious days at the beach, reveling in sun and surf, long hikes in the hills and of course, less direct parental supervision. It also portends some boredom-filled days, which can be a recipe for impending degeneracy. Adolescent experimentation with drugs, alcohol, sex, and other high-risk activities tend to rise in the summer months. The temptation to experiment with the verboten is seductive: parents are at work, medicine cabinets are full, and there’s really no one to check in with. …

“The Doctor was puzzled:  ’I’m very sorry, Mr. O’Flaherty, but I can’t diagnose your trouble.  I think it must be the drink.’ ‘Don’t worry about it, Dr. Cullen, I’ll come back when you’re sober.’, said O’ Flaherty.” When I think of St. Patrick’s Day, the first thing that comes to mind is showing of your flashiest green wares and doing the pub crawl. Despite some lore  considering it a religious holiday (Interesting bit: March 17 is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the celebrating begins, so many Irish attend mass!), the main attraction is having a …