By Neil Miller (as adapted for those in recovery)

A little bit about the founder of Focused and Free.

"The alcoholic slip is not a symptom of a psychotic condition... the patient simply didn't follow directions."

As written by Ann C. of Niles, Ohio - sober April 1, 1948

In their sincere and honest attempt to maintain a "hands off" policy regarding fellow members' religious beliefs and perhaps sensitivities, our AA founders exercised gentle wisdom and proffered spiritual freedom.

Do we want what God has for us bad enough for us to come out of our comfort zone? Or are we going to play “hard to get” with God?

The 12 Steps to Total and Complete Insanity

The following is from my friend Ryan...

“For me, addiction never dies; it sleeps. It's eyes pop wide open when it hears me opening a bag of self-will.” --Anonymous

Here are nine things you can do before you take that next drink of alcohol.

Karl relates how the Spirit of Christ and the Twelve Steps of A.A. led to freedom from a self-imposed crisis.

I could not recover with a Higher Power who wasn't on my side.

Hope is the key ingredient to a successful campaign against personal addiction.

‘The Professor and the Paradox’ is from the Personal Stories section of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, 2nd edition.

“If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place”  –from the song Homesick , by Mercy Me.

What matters more: How long one has been sober or the quality of one’s sobriety?

Just staying sober does not bring manageability to our lives.

“I know my disease is out in the parking lot doing push-ups”

A thirsty heart longs to be satisfied. Be careful what you pour into it.

An article by Steve Arterburn, edited for use in a 12-Step meeting.

“They struck me, but I did not become ill; they beat me, but I did not know it.  When shall I awake? [Yet again] I will seek another drink” (Proverbs 23:35 NASB).

The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are the Principles of the Program that we practice.

“Sometimes I get so tense, but I can’t speed up the time.” – Guns n’ Roses

“Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” -- Step 12. Alcoholics Anonymous

When most of us hear the word addict, we think of someone addicted to a chemical substance. However, addiction isn't limited to just substance abuse.