Women’s Retreat on Lake Alatoona
The Atlanta and Birmingham women’s communities had their annual retreat on Lake Alatoona in Clanton, GA. The weather was perfect! The women enjoyed a variety of activities including kayaking, canoeing, sunset cruising on a pontoon boat, and swimming. They also participated in many recovery oriented activities, among which guided meditation and a 12 Step walk were favorites.
“The residents were active and really enjoyed all of the water activities. They talked about the previous positive experiences with lake activities in their lives,” said Birmingham counselor Adrienne Kelly. “Also, many of the women mentioned that it was the first time they had been on a lake sober or even held a Solo cup without alcohol in it. So for me, I feel like the retreat was an opportunity for the residents to face their fears and it allowed them a safe environment to practice vulnerability and having fun without substances.”
One of the residents said that the retreat “was an important reminder that I can’t do this alone and that I don’t have to. It was a wonderful celebration of recovery. It made me recognize that I can trust and lean on wonderful, smart, dedicated women in recovery!”
