Bryan Hullihen

One of my favorite quotes is from Tony Robbins who is one of my favorite personal development teachers. He says, "If you let your learning lead to knowledge you become a fool. If you let your learning lead to action you become wealthy." Early recovery is a time of immense learning where it is not uncommon to hear popular "sober phrases" repeated by newly sober people. These phrases are so popular because, when remembered, they make the person in early recovery feel better knowing they are not alone as the very existence of these phrases helps them feel understood. For example, a common phrase is "one day at a time." This simple statement says so much to the newly recovering person because in early recovery many of us feel overwhelmed with anxiety about how to stay sober for the rest of our lives. When we are reminded that we only need to succeed in our efforts today and that tomorrow never comes we feel better. This is an example of taking what we learn, ...

My name is Bryan Hullihen and I am not only personally in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction for many years now but I have also dedicated my life to helping others do the same. At one time in my life every waking moment was dedicated to self-destruction whereas now the opposite is true. Now my personal motto is "go further" which I apply to every area of personal development in my life. Physically, mentally, spiritually, and interpersonally I strive to go further and pack what I can into the stream of life. One area that I particularly enjoy is that of physical fitness. I not only enjoy this activity but I also see its significance for those in recovery. Our bodies are the vehicles that, when we are able, must be taken care of to the best of our abilities as physical fitness is one aspect of life that is somewhat controllable. This, of course, is barring only injuries or handicaps that would prevent or limit physical activity. When I say controllable I mean to say ...

Working in the field of substance abuse treatment has afforded me the opportunity to meet so many interesting people. I have witnessed countless people come into treatment with the same broken and defeated expression on their faces to leave a few months later walking tall and feeling capable of living a sober life. I have also had the unfortunate experience of seeing those defeated individuals come into treatment asking for help but, for one reason or another, deny themselves the willingness to receive it. Many of these unfortunate individuals have gone on in their suffering to die a premature death and although they were given every opportunity to get better, left a trail of heartache and suffering in their wake. The main distinction that I have found between these two types o f cases in the treatment setting is the ability to take suggestions. The successful group is typically comprised of people that have been able to, not only form a strong therapeutic alliance with their treatmen...

My name is Bryan Hullihen and I have been sober now for several years. In fact, I haven't been sober for this long since I was 11 years old. Over the years I have tried sobriety so many times and have failed in so many ways. Sometimes I made the same mistake twice and other times I found myself high or drunk with no idea how I could’ve been so crazy to use again. The amount of times that I have been asked by my loved ones how I could be so inconsiderate to them or if I had any dignity left is staggering. The truth is I wanted a better life and I wanted to quit messing up but I would always find myself high after a moment of weakness when I blocked out all thoughts of loved ones, my future, my past, and anything that would have kept me from using. This is just one aspect of the thinking of an alcoholic and there exists a myriad of other examples that alcoholics use to explain how they want one thing but do the opposite. This is why so many of us feel weak, confused, and ashamed i...

Recently I ( Bryan Hullihen ) was working with an alcoholic in early recovery regarding the concept of clearing up the wreckage of his past when I noticed a pattern that I've seen over the years begin to emerge. This particular person began to ask my opinion on several instances that, in my opinion, required no amends at all. Details are not important here and if you are in early recovery asking your support group about the validity to your amends is strongly encouraged. What is important is the nature of extremes when dealing with alcoholism or drug addiction. For example, I remember a time when I was told by my mentor that alcoholism is a disease centered in selfishness and self-centeredness. In all of my perplexity I thought, "If I'm to give away all my belongings to become and ascetic while living a life of abnegation I'll never stay sober!" My mentor smiled and looked at me and said, " Bryan Hullihen , that is spoken like a true alcoholic and that stat...