Based on the second of the twelve steps of anonymous alcoholics, another sobriety retreat this year was organized by the Lichen Center for Help for the Family and Addicts. 29 people, including 5 married couples, took part in the weekend meeting.
- “Our retreats are attended by people struggling with addictions. The alcohol problem dominates. These are both sober people and co-addicts who experience the effects of addiction directly, most often from a family member. We work on the basis of the 12 steps program of anonymous alcoholics, which is called by those who are sobering up the program for life "- explained Fr. Zbigniew Borkowski, MIC, director and priest of the Licheń Center for Assistance to Families and Addicted People.
The priest led the retreat with the center's psychologist and psychotherapist, Mr. Maciej Nowakowski. In his opinion, combining two wings of faith and reason will allow participants to rise to a higher level on their way to sobriety.
- “After the change of the director, who led this retreat on his own, we came up with the idea to eat the experience of a specialist, which is a good starting point. That is why I invited Mr. Maciej to cooperate and co-lead our retreats. We start with various exercises in the field of psychology, then we complete the topic spiritually to show that these two aspects can work together and complement each other. "
Among the people who took part in the retreat were Ala and Rysiek from Połczyn Zdrój. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that for 6 years they have not missed any sobriety retreats organized in the Licheń sanctuary, and it should be added that they are held 4 times a year.
- “We started coming to Licheń when I left the addiction center. My wife found information about the Licheń center on the Internet, on the shrine's website. When we came here for the first time, I had some concerns, but also expectations. I thought that some miracle would happen, that I would be healthy right away. However, something completely different turned out, ”says Mr. Rysiek.
During the next retreat, he began to meet similar people with similar problems in Licheń. And for 6 years now, they have been treating retreats to Licheń with his wife as therapy on the one hand, and as a distraction from everyday duties and a short weekend vacation on the other.
- “We feel good here. We meet many people who are in a similar situation to me. We talk and exchange experiences. We meet people who are sober here. Now the form of the retreat is different. In the past, these were meetings in groups of 4. Now, Fr. Zbigniew changed the formula, but the current convention of these weekend meetings also suits me. It is easy to accept. Everyone contributes, takes the floor. Even after the retreat, we keep in touch by calling each other. In this way, the therapy is extended. " - adds Mr Rysiek.
Mrs. Ala is a codependent person. In her opinion, the lichen retreat plays an important role in their marriage and her husband's journey to sobriety. - “I remember when Fr. Robert Krzywicki, the chaplain of the center at the time, divided us into groups. Alcoholics were mingled with co-addicts. I couldn't understand it, it was even strange to me. But it turned out that I can learn something good from alcoholics, which previously made me laugh and was almost unacceptable. After some time, when I looked at other addicts, I was able to relate it to myself, to my situation, to my marriage. Addicts also got experience from us, co-addicts. It was an important and valuable experience. "
Mrs. Ala and Mr. Ryszard have been coming to Licheń for 6 years and they are not going to stop. Apart from the usual retreat, the regular point of their lichen visits are the National Sobriety Meetings, which take place each year on the last weekend of July.
- “It is worth being here and we will come here. Our rhythm of the year is structured so that we can come here, because that's what we want. We can say that we are waiting longingly for the day of departure to Licheń. It is also a short vacation for us. The surroundings of the Licheń sanctuary, the local gardens, and their greenery are conducive to relaxation and allow you to gain mental and physical strength. The closeness of Our Lady of Lichen is also important to us, the presence of which we feel every day in our lives, ”the spouses add.
If you are interested in retreats organized by the Lichen Center for Assistance to Families and Addicted People, check the center's offer here or call (63) 270 81 32.
Browse through the offer of retreats at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Licheń retreat calendar
Text: Sanctuary Press Office
