Just reading through the comments brings into sharp focus how much fear and shame there is around addiction and how that in itself is a significant barrier to recovery. Understandably, it tends to be people with addiction issues that read your work, but people who know nothing about addiction and have never struggled with it would benefit themselves, the recovery community, and society at large by taking time to learn more about it. It's more than a shame that most don't bother, preferring instead to pass ignorant judgement that helps nobody.
Also, a big "Amen" to the person who pointed out that the lack of freely available therapy (among other things) is a big miss in helping people in their recovery.
Holy shit, Holly. I cannot fathom the amount of time and effort it took to put all of this together. Thank you!! Can't wait to open up a million tabs on my laptop to read through everything.
I micro-dose psilocybin on and off (more off) and macro-dose on rare occasion (three times total since getting sober from alcohol in early 2020). When I wrote about this recently, it was so interesting to see what it brought up for others in recovery (specifically, people who felt they needed to make a statement and have an opinion around it).
I guess some part of me didn't realize that others would think my choices and sobriety had anything to do with their choices and sobriety (naive, I know). I don't see sobriety as one thing or looking one way. As reflected in the quote from me above, I'm still very addicted to certain things (ocd patterns, overwork, external validation, etc.). Psilocybin counters this. It's not the main thing (which is more yoga and meditation) but has supported my sobriety from alcohol as well as my ongoing recovery from behavioural addictions (ones that, compared to alcohol, I'm personally having a much tougher time overcoming).
Actually, the "main thing" for me was not only yoga and meditation. In early sobriety and leading up to it, it was absolutely your Sobriety School and Annie Grace's Alcohol Experiment. Yoga and meditation have just been my longer-term "main thing." And psilocybin has been supportive but incidental when it comes to my recovery process.
You are so talented! As a researcher, as an open mind, and as a disclaimer queen! Only on Christmas, are my mom’s gift-disclaimers(tm) longer than yours here. I know you have good reason for your lengthy disclaimers ... years of dealing with internet troll/contrarians. Thank you for dealing with that over time and also for beating them to the punch this time! This is a fabulous resource and you are a fabulous person🩷💕
Because I know your a fan of Ram Dass, his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba said about LSD: it can get you into the room with God. But you can’t stay. The only way to stay (in the room with God), is love. But it’s good for beginners.
thank you SO MUCH for this. I commented a few weeks ago about my positive experience. A friend and I did a "simulated retreat experience" after some research. We are both 2+ years alcohol free but we smoked pot daily and struggled to quit. After our experience neither of us have smoked (33 days ago) or had any cravings, and we have both seen improvements in our depression. It was so powerful I booked a retreat in Mexico for January. I feel with focused intent it can be transformational. I'm excited to build on my positive experience with trained professionals to address some other issues in my life. I will be sure to let you know the results from my retreat. Again, can't thank you enough for your transparancy and wisdom. 😘
What a magnificent piece of work. Thank you.
Just reading through the comments brings into sharp focus how much fear and shame there is around addiction and how that in itself is a significant barrier to recovery. Understandably, it tends to be people with addiction issues that read your work, but people who know nothing about addiction and have never struggled with it would benefit themselves, the recovery community, and society at large by taking time to learn more about it. It's more than a shame that most don't bother, preferring instead to pass ignorant judgement that helps nobody.
Also, a big "Amen" to the person who pointed out that the lack of freely available therapy (among other things) is a big miss in helping people in their recovery.
Holy shit, Holly. I cannot fathom the amount of time and effort it took to put all of this together. Thank you!! Can't wait to open up a million tabs on my laptop to read through everything.
What she said.... :)
Such a phenomenal resource, Holly. Thank you.
I micro-dose psilocybin on and off (more off) and macro-dose on rare occasion (three times total since getting sober from alcohol in early 2020). When I wrote about this recently, it was so interesting to see what it brought up for others in recovery (specifically, people who felt they needed to make a statement and have an opinion around it).
I guess some part of me didn't realize that others would think my choices and sobriety had anything to do with their choices and sobriety (naive, I know). I don't see sobriety as one thing or looking one way. As reflected in the quote from me above, I'm still very addicted to certain things (ocd patterns, overwork, external validation, etc.). Psilocybin counters this. It's not the main thing (which is more yoga and meditation) but has supported my sobriety from alcohol as well as my ongoing recovery from behavioural addictions (ones that, compared to alcohol, I'm personally having a much tougher time overcoming).
Thank you again!
Actually, the "main thing" for me was not only yoga and meditation. In early sobriety and leading up to it, it was absolutely your Sobriety School and Annie Grace's Alcohol Experiment. Yoga and meditation have just been my longer-term "main thing." And psilocybin has been supportive but incidental when it comes to my recovery process.
You are so talented! As a researcher, as an open mind, and as a disclaimer queen! Only on Christmas, are my mom’s gift-disclaimers(tm) longer than yours here. I know you have good reason for your lengthy disclaimers ... years of dealing with internet troll/contrarians. Thank you for dealing with that over time and also for beating them to the punch this time! This is a fabulous resource and you are a fabulous person🩷💕
Because I know your a fan of Ram Dass, his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba said about LSD: it can get you into the room with God. But you can’t stay. The only way to stay (in the room with God), is love. But it’s good for beginners.
You are a national fucking treasure, Holly.
thank you SO MUCH for this. I commented a few weeks ago about my positive experience. A friend and I did a "simulated retreat experience" after some research. We are both 2+ years alcohol free but we smoked pot daily and struggled to quit. After our experience neither of us have smoked (33 days ago) or had any cravings, and we have both seen improvements in our depression. It was so powerful I booked a retreat in Mexico for January. I feel with focused intent it can be transformational. I'm excited to build on my positive experience with trained professionals to address some other issues in my life. I will be sure to let you know the results from my retreat. Again, can't thank you enough for your transparancy and wisdom. 😘
Be Here Now had a huge impact on me
Such a fabulous resource. Thanks, Holly!