Not Alone

I am an alcoholic and an addict.  My name, race, gender, religion or politics do not matter.  I sought to control what was uncontrollable.  I thought maybe if I controlled it, I could change the outcome.  But I have the only disease that seeks to convince me I do not have a disease.  Me and my shadow self go everywhere together and I am always one step away from that other “me”.  As long as I am in my life’s driver’s seat, I am at risk.  So if God is my co-pilot then the wrong person is flying the plane.  By the grace of the God of my understanding and the fellowship of programs that have no other purpose but to help each other, I have strung together some time without chemical crutches.  It doesn’t matter how much time.  I am living instead of dying.

My program sponsor used to be amused when I asked, “Which part of the program is spiritual?”  The answer of course was, “Which part of the program is not spiritual?”  He told me, “Get on your knees and thank your God for getting you through another day.”  But life can be a grind.  Sometimes I need to get away.  Along my journey I found recovery program-type retreats (non-denominational) where I could be surrounded for a weekend by others experiencing the same un-unique uniqueness (you know what I mean).  The retreat was led in a format of general and spiritual discussions, workshops and other activities by someone with a great deal of personal experience.  There was never any pressure to do or say anything personally.  The retreats were always held in a spiritual location where it just seemed easier to get inside and sort things out . . . a place where time can slow down . . . a quiet place.  The socializing and solitary time alone on retreat took on a different and deeper meaning and we always left our retreats renewed and refreshed.

The Ven. Matt Talbot and St. Camillus de Lellis retreat programs at Our Lady of Florida are here for us.  They are facilitated by people like me who are in recovery and need to stay grounded in sobriety.  From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon we can come together to be apart.  I’ve used up all my excuses for not taking care of myself.  I don’t care what shape the economy is in, I always found ways to pay for the fuel for my disease when I was "out there".  I will never use that as an excuse to get the fuel for my sobriety now.  It will always be a life or death decision for me.  I can’t say now that I can’t afford to keep my disease in check.  I know it’s not true – even though my other self sometimes still tells me it is.  Do more than just think about taking a spiritual vacation with people who understand us sometimes better than we do. The recovery retreat program contacts are listed.  They will answer your questions anonymously.  Make the call.  Bring your own shadow.  We are not alone.                      Anonymous (who else?)

Following is the calendar and contact information for Twelve Step Retreats

You can review the fundamentals of Matt Talbot's life at the web site dedicated to the Matt Talbot Retreat Movement.  

General information on St Camillus de Lellis may also be found on the Internet.

Please call the contact person listed listed above for specific program information and reservations.  If you cannot reach the contact person, please call the center at 561-626-1300.

Last Updated: August 06, 2010      Report Broken Links      Site Map      Retreat Registration Form     2010-11 Brochure