Sisyphus, the Boot Camp, and the Absurd Mercy of Recovery
Memories of a teenage boot camp meet the story of Sisyphus in this personal essay. Joe reflects on punishment, repetition, and the search for meaning in recovery.
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Essays on recovery, culture, and being human. Explore the ideas, questions, and stories behind the work.
New OS for an Old Mind
Joe describes the ongoing practice of self-examination in Step Ten. The essay explores how noticing thoughts and reactions can become part of daily life.
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Coffee & Cigarettes: The Original Recovery Communion
An essay about the familiar rituals around early recovery meetings and the connection people found in them. Joe reflects on belonging through the ordinary details of shared experience.
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One Day at a Time – The Physics and Humor of Now
Joe revisits a familiar recovery phrase through reflections on time, attention, and the present moment, with a sense of humor about the difficulty of staying here.
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Consent Is Sacred — and We Didn’t Sign Up for This Experiment
Beginning with the role of consent in treatment, Joe explores trust, personal agency, and the responsibilities that come with technological change.
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Writing Family Addictus: Why Addiction Is a Family Story
Joe explains the questions and conversations that led him to write Family Addictus, including the ways addiction and recovery affect the people around an individual.
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