

Hello
Thank you for visiting the Adventures in Recovery website. As a wife or girlfriend of one of our potential retreat brothers, you may have some questions. This page is for you. We want to help you by helping the man in your life become a more whole person, free from addiction, and free to live the life he is supposed to live. That life includes the freedom to love better and be more present in his relationship. Read on.
Why Retreat? Why AiR?
Thank you for considering an AiR retreat for your loved on. First off, you need to know that we care deeply for each brother who attends one of our retreats. We start with a survey questionnaire asking them about themselves to ensure physical safety. It's not that we do anything super crazy or life threatening. That's not us. We just want to help make sure every feels safe, even down to the food we eat (we ask about allergies).
We believe it is also essential to create a "safe" atmosphere for our attendees. By "safe" I mean that we are not going to visit any beaches in July, public swimming pools, water parks, malls, or other such locations full of sexual triggers. We always pick out of the way locales for our retreats so we can have seclusion, isolation, time to meditate, pray, do 12 step sharing, and connect in healthy ways. This is what Adventures in Recovery retreats are all about.
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Let me assure you that you are not alone in this. Many partners, like yourself, may initially feel uncertain or even apprehensive about the idea of their loved one embarking on a retreat focused on addressing sexual addiction. It's natural to have concerns, and your feelings are valid. However, I urge you to consider the potential positive impact this retreat could have, not only on your partner but on your relationship as well.
Here are a few reasons why supporting your partner's decision to attend the retreat could be incredibly beneficial:
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A Safe and Supportive Environment: Our retreats provide a safe, understanding (but not excusing) space where individuals can openly share their struggles and receive support from others who have empathy for what they're going through. This sense of community and understanding can be profoundly empowering for someone grappling with sexual addiction.
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12 Step Based Approach to Recovery: Our retreats follow the proven principles of the 12-step program, offering a structured yet flexible framework for personal growth and healing. Participants engage in various activities, discussions, and reflections designed to address the underlying issues contributing to their addiction and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
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Guidance and Mentorship: Our team consists of experienced men who have years of sobriety and experience in addiction recovery. They provide guidance, counseling, and mentorship throughout the retreat, offering invaluable insights and support tailored to each participant's needs. Sometimes we also have professional therapists as guest speakers.
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Building Accountability and Responsibility: One of the core principles of the 12-step program is taking ownership of one's actions and making amends for past mistakes. By attending the retreat, your partner is demonstrating a willingness to confront their addiction and take proactive steps towards positive change. We also reserve time to contemplate the victims of our past behaviors and how we can help them heal as well.
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Renewed Focus on Relationships: Addiction can strain even the strongest of relationships. By addressing the root causes of the addiction and learning healthier ways of relating to oneself and others, your partner can become better equipped to nurture and sustain a fulfilling relationship with you.
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Hope for the Future: Ultimately, our retreats offer hope – hope for healing, hope for personal growth, and hope for a brighter future free from the grip of addiction. By supporting your partner in attending the retreat, you're helping them reclaim control of their life and supporting them on their journey towards freedom and wholeness.
I also understand that this decision may not be easy because of finances. Money might be tight, and you may have other concerns or questions. Compared to all the other retreats we are aware of, our retreat is one of the most economical experiences out there, yet one of the most fulfilling as well. We are all volunteers. We run these retreats to carry out our own 12th Step tradition of "Service to Others". Our retreats provide three full days of recovery immersion for less than 3 hours of professional therapy. (However, our retreats are not a replacement for professional therapy, and we value what therapists can do).
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Please know that our team is here to provide support for your partner every step of the way. We feel your support and encouragement in attending an AiR retreat will help him be a better husband, future husband, boyfriend, friend, man, brother, father and/or grandfather!
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Thank you for taking the time to consider allowing your man to attend our retreat. Your support means more than you know, not only to your partner but to our entire recovery community.
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Thomas
President, Adventures in Recovery