AA Alternatives: Jim Mick is Sober and Has Never Attended an AA Meeting

10/09/22 • 38 min

Addiction & Recovery Conversations with Brett Lovins

In this conversation, I'll be asking Jim Mick to share some of his recovery story. We cover many topics including his involvement with AA alternatives: LifeRing Recovery and Recovery Dharma. Additionally, Jim talks about a recovery program that we met in for musicians: MusiCares. And finally, where I got my start: Alcoholic Anonymous (AA). As I've mentioned before, I'm an Ambassador for the non-profit recovery organization, Shatterproof.org. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction (also known as Substance Use Disorder), the links above may be helpful.

Other useful links from Brett:

Sober Curious Consulting - Brett's Recovery Friendly Workplace consulting business.
Brett's YouTube channel
Washington Recovery Alliance - building the capacity of the recovery community to advance substance use recovery and mental health wellness by catalyzing public understanding and shaping public policy in Washington State.
Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit - providing information, tools, and resources to help employers from all sectors—government, for-profit, non-profit, and not-for-profit—effectively prevent and respond to substance misuse in the workforce from the Department of Labor.
Data on SUD in the US (2022) - from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Link to my favorite PDF for statistics.
Addiction 101 - it’s not a moral failing—it’s a treatable illness. Get the facts about this misunderstood medical condition from my friends at Shatterproof.

Other useful links from Brett:

Sober Curious Consulting - Brett's Recovery Friendly Workplace consulting business.
Brett's YouTube channel
Washington Recovery Alliance - building the capacity of the recovery community to advance substance use recovery and mental health wellness by catalyzing public understanding and shaping public policy in Washington State.
Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit - providing information, tools, and resources to help employers from all sectors—government, for-profit, non-profit, and not-for-profit—effectively prevent and respond to substance misuse in the workforce from the Department of Labor.
Data on SUD in the US (2022) - from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Link to my favorite PDF for statistics.
Addiction 101 - it’s not a moral failing—it’s a treatable illness. Get the facts about this misunderstood medical condition from my friends at Shatterproof.

Previous Episode

Bryce Zimmerman and Brett Talk Sobriety and Recovery - Brett's First Podcast

In this episode, Brett Lovins sits down with Bryce Zimmerman, a recovering alcoholic with a sobriety date of November 7, 2016. Bryce shares his candid journey through addiction, detailing the struggles he faced before finding his path to recovery. The conversation dives deep into the feelings of hopelessness and the challenges of moderation that led Bryce to seek help. He reflects on his experiences with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the bonds he formed, and how hearing the stories of others in recovery gave him hope and inspiration.
As they explore the nuances of addiction, Bryce discusses the importance of community support and the realization that he was not alone in his struggles. The two delve into the concept of insanity in addiction, highlighting the lengths they went to hide their drinking and the lies they told themselves and their loved ones.
With nearly six years of sobriety under his belt, Bryce shares the joys of living a sober life, including the newfound freedom, clarity, and the ability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures without the haze of alcohol. This episode is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of recovery, making it a must-listen for anyone navigating their own journey or supporting a loved one through addiction.

Other useful links from Brett:

Sober Curious Consulting - Brett's Recovery Friendly Workplace consulting business.
Brett's YouTube channel
Washington Recovery Alliance - building the capacity of the recovery community to advance substance use recovery and mental health wellness by catalyzing public understanding and shaping public policy in Washington State.
Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit - providing information, tools, and resources to help employers from all sectors—government, for-profit, non-profit, and not-for-profit—effectively prevent and respond to substance misuse in the workforce from the Department of Labor.
Data on SUD in the US (2022) - from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Link to my favorite PDF for statistics.
Addiction 101 - it’s not a moral failing—it’s a treatable illness. Get the facts about this misunderstood medical condition from my friends at Shatterproof.

Next Episode

Megan Tweedy on Losing Her Brother, Jeff Meyer, to Overdose & the Fentanyl Crisis

Megan Tweedy lost her brother, Jeff Meyer, to a Fentanyl overdose Feb 20, 2022. Megan is a friend of mine, her husband is too... and so was Jeff. Jeff had lots of people who loved him. He lit up a room when he walked in, someone with whom conversation were easy and engaging, a guy who could make you belly laugh repeatedly. Lots of people miss Jeff. Since his passing, Megan has become an activist for Fentanyl education and overdose prevention. In this conversation, we'll touch on several aspects of the Fentanyl crisis. We hope you will learn some things in listening to our chat. Additional links to explore for more information and to obtain Naloxone/Narcan: Shatterproof.org and Stopoverdose.org.

Other useful links from Brett:

Sober Curious Consulting - Brett's Recovery Friendly Workplace consulting business.
Brett's YouTube channel
Washington Recovery Alliance - building the capacity of the recovery community to advance substance use recovery and mental health wellness by catalyzing public understanding and shaping public policy in Washington State.
Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit - providing information, tools, and resources to help employers from all sectors—government, for-profit, non-profit, and not-for-profit—effectively prevent and respond to substance misuse in the workforce from the Department of Labor.
Data on SUD in the US (2022) - from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Link to my favorite PDF for statistics.
Addiction 101 - it’s not a moral failing—it’s a treatable illness. Get the facts about this misunderstood medical condition from my friends at Shatterproof.