Recovery Unbroken: Sedona, Scottsdale, and the Sacred Work of Showing Up

There’s something uniquely powerful about Recovery Unbroken. We aren’t built around one method or one ideology. We don’t follow the 12 Steps—but we don’t reject them either. We’re not here to tell anyone that our way is the only way. What we offer is a community of people in recovery who deeply support one another through honesty, connection, consistency, and care. And what we’ve built over time, especially through our in-person retreats, is something rare and beautiful—a reminder that healing doesn’t just happen in a treatment center or in a workbook. Sometimes, it happens in the quiet desert air, in a sweat lodge, in a moment of shared laughter, or in a signed novel gifted with love.

This past weekend, May 2–4, 2025, we held our second official Recovery Unbroken retreat in Scottsdale and Sedona, Arizona. It followed our inaugural retreat in Nashville last fall, where we explored a vibrant city together—fully sober. Nashville was energetic and fun, filled with music, dancing, recovery meetings, and service opportunities. But Arizona gave us something different. It was calmer. Quieter. Softer on the senses. And that difference was intentional. At Recovery Unbroken, we talk often about the five senses—how overstimulation impacts our nervous system and how we can use sensory awareness to regulate emotions and stay grounded. Arizona gave us space to do just that.

We began the retreat with a service opportunity on Friday morning. A small group of us visited a local Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and spoke to a group of clients currently in treatment for substance use and mental health challenges. For an hour, we shared our stories, answered questions, and reminded them that there is life—and joy—after treatment. This was more than a presentation. It was a promise. We don’t just talk about recovery—we live it. And part of that living means staying connected to the recovery community, especially through peer support. As co-founder and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), I’ve spoken to groups across the country about the power of connection after treatment ends. And that’s exactly what Recovery Unbroken provides: a consistent, caring space where people don’t just survive sobriety—they thrive in it.

After the service event, more members arrived in Scottsdale, and we welcomed them with gift bags that included t-shirts and something incredibly meaningful: signed books by author Steph Post. Steph’s novel A Tree Born Crooked is one I read while incarcerated—a time when my surroundings were loud, violent, and traumatizing. That book offered me a mental escape. I could see the scenes so vividly that, for a few minutes at a time, I wasn’t in jail. I was in her story. On my one-year sobriety anniversary, I even got a tattoo inspired by that book. My partner, Donna Bonk—Recovery Unbroken’s co-founder—knew how much that story meant to me. She reached out to Steph, who not only signed a personal copy for me but also sent a signed book to each retreat attendee, inscribed with their sober date. That gesture turned a powerful memory into a shared moment of reflection and honor.

Friday evening included our regular RU meeting, just as we always do. We’ve never once canceled a meeting, and this weekend was no exception. The setting may change, but our commitment never does.

Saturday morning, we rose early and made our way to Sedona. Known for its stunning landscapes and powerful energy vortexes, Sedona is a place of spiritual significance for many. For us, it became sacred ground for two profoundly healing experiences. First, we participated in a private sound bowl ceremony. In a serene space, surrounded by stillness and resonance, we let the tones of the bowls wash over us. Many of us—myself included—were moved to tears. I had intended to say a prayer of gratitude for my children, but emotion hit me before I could speak. And in that moment of vulnerability, I wasn’t alone. That’s a core value in Recovery Unbroken: we don’t cry alone. What followed was a flood of connection, understanding, and gentle support. No advice. No fixing. Just presence.

Later that evening, six of us participated in a ceremonial sweat as the sun began to set. The experience was both physically and emotionally cleansing. Inside the sweat lodge, we spoke prayers of gratitude and forgiveness. We addressed our ancestors, our past selves, and those who are no longer with us. We acknowledged harm caused, harm received, and the things we still carry. The heat, though manageable, became a symbolic force—an outer reflection of the inner work we were doing. We were allowed to drink water, to rest if needed, and to emerge lighter. It wasn’t about perfection or performance. It was about release.

This retreat also highlighted another important aspect of what makes Recovery Unbroken different: we meet people where they’re at. That’s not just a saying—it’s a trained approach, especially for Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. We don't give medical advice or tell people what medications they should or shouldn’t take. But we do talk openly about our own experiences with mental health, medication, trauma, and healing. We use tools like CBT and DBT to guide our conversations, not as clinicians, but as peers who’ve been there. Our weekly meetings, our active group chats, and now our retreats give people space to share what works for them—and to hear what might work for others.

On Sunday, we held our final retreat meeting before members began to travel back home. But the energy we cultivated doesn’t disappear once the bags are packed. It carries into our weekly Zoom meetings. It flows through our texts and voice notes. It shows up in our choices—what we say yes to, what we say no to, and how we continue choosing recovery every single day.

Perhaps most exciting of all, members are already planning for the next retreat. We're looking at different regions of the country to make it accessible for more people. What’s become clear is that these weekends are no longer 'extras.' They’re becoming priorities. And when we prioritize recovery, we protect it. When we invest in connection, we strengthen it.

Recovery Unbroken isn’t a program. It’s a living, breathing community. We’re not trying to replace anything—we’re building something new. Something honest. Something unshakable. And after Sedona and Scottsdale, we are more grounded, more grateful, and more ready than ever to keep walking this path—together.