Remembering

9/11/2025 I am aware it is suicide prevention month and I am attempting to figure out how to address that in a subsequent blog post. I’ve already received some prodding on why I have not made a post about that. More later. Today, I cannot help but reflect on this date in time. The anniversary […]

CALL TO ACTION 2025

2025 CALL TO ACTION  Warrior definition: ‘A person engaged or experienced in warfare.  Broadly: A person engaged in a struggle or conflict.’ Recovery definition: ‘The process of combating a disorder (such as alcoholism) or a real or perceived problem.’ I am Michael O’Connor, an honorably discharged combat veteran of the 2/505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd […]

Powerlessness and Control

18 November, 2024 Recovery is a full contact sport, Part II Powerlessness and Control “…To gain power is to be increasingly powerless” – Olivia Blake Who wants to admit they are powerless? Isn’t nature in its purest sense about gaining power? The alpha male wolf of the pack? Isn’t human society built on power and […]

Recovery is a full contact sport.

14 November, 2024 Recovery is a full contact sport. I have misconceptions and expectations about everything. This is not new for me, it’s how I have been since I can remember. I consider myself fairly experienced in life and moderately well read. I learned little from my past experiences and less from the libraries of […]

Got Your Six

My faith in a program of recovery was put to the test.  I was on a 9 hour mission to pick up a fellow addict and bring him into treatment.  It started well, picked him up from his home north of Houston and made my way to Austin.  Half way there my tire exploded and […]

Trust and Time

In active addiction, I lost everything for one thing.  In sober recovery, I have everything for losing one thing.  I didn’t make that statement, but it resonates with me.  Trust and time are the most precious commodities.  I lost over a decade in addictive addiction and the trust of everyone I loved and held dear.  […]

Confronting Life’s Adversities: Growing from the Pain

“Adversity Introduces a Man to Himself” -Anonymous When I made the decision to seek treatment and fully acknowledged my identity as an addict and alcoholic, I understood that this challenge would be a lifelong journey, not just a short-term endeavor. Embracing this reality meant that nothing would remain the same if I wanted to overcome […]