by Merlyn Karst | Aug 4, 2022 | Addiction & Recovery, Addiction Discussions, Community
Today is August First. History reports that disastrous events scatter people, and then bring them together. Survivors gather in mutual and sustaining support. In the past and now today, we hear the words— together we shall There are communities with interlocking...
by Merlyn Karst | Jun 1, 2022 | Addiction & Recovery, Addiction Discussions, Behavioral Health, Community
I began this blog before the Uvalde, Texas, mass shooting. This horrible event, involving young school children, got much world attention. History reports that mass shootings scatter people, and then bring them together. Survivors gather in mutual and sustaining...
by Merlyn Karst | Apr 26, 2022 | Addiction & Recovery, Addiction Discussions, Community
On February 27, I celebrated my 90th year on the planet. In all the years, alcohol was my only drug of choice. It served me well until it didn’t. Upon my return to California in 2019 we started a new non-profit called The Purpose of Recovery. As I...
by Merlyn Karst | Feb 1, 2022 | Addiction & Recovery, Addiction Discussions, Community, Support
Vim: energy and enthusiasm.: Vigor: mental and moral strength. Virtualocity: The ability to move about among faces and places for learning opportunities. With vim and vigor, I can always go there, without leaving my chair and absorb things to share. I don’t...
by Merlyn Karst | Dec 29, 2021 | Addiction & Recovery, Addiction Discussions, Community
In order to write a worthwhile little, I have to watch, listen and read a lot. I look for other’s words to capture, contemplate, and pass along. I saw a quote from Oprah that said. “The world is upside down” The context related to a tragic incident of lawlessness but...
by Bill Stauffer LSW, CADC, CCS | Oct 21, 2021 | Addiction & Recovery, Addiction Discussions, Community, Long-Term Recovery
The redoubled focus on recovery within our federal administration is heartening. This is an area in which history is instructive. Many years ago, advocates from the recovery community, including those in my own home state of Pennsylvania met with SAMHSA and educated...