Jumpline magazine Spring 2025 - Flipbook - Page 17
The Phoenix Group
Doug Keller
The Phoenix Group
17
THE PHOENIX GROUP
some of the stressors that can begin to weigh
us down. On top of all the greatness some of us
achieve, we are also af昀氀icted with guilt, despair,
and self-destructive tendencies. It is the human
condition. Sometimes, while navigating all the
positives and negatives that life, and this career,
have to offer, we realize that we have fallen into
unhealthy addictions.
We have all heard of the legend of the Phoenix: a mythical bird that, every so often, bursts
into 昀氀ames and then rises from its own ashes.
The myth symbolizes renewal, rebirth, and resurrection.
Everybody that walks into their 昀椀rst Phoenix
Group meeting is in trouble. One bad, intoxicated decision can lead to a DUI and a DAR. Estrangement from family, and even divorce, is an
all-too-common consequence when one partner
gets drunk/high too often. Chronic alcohol and
drug abuse also frequently leads to long-term
health issues and 昀椀nancial turmoil. Perhaps
the worst type of trouble caused by substance
abuse is when a con昀氀ict develops between one’s
own beliefs and negative coping behaviors have
somehow taken over. In the end, it doesn’t really matter if the trouble is with the 昀椀re dept, a
spouse, or our own moral compass. Trouble is
trouble, and it drags us down.
Though life is usually thought of as being too
short, when we’re against the ropes, it can feel
too long. We sometimes get depressed or 昀椀nd
ourselves in a bad situation, often of our own
making. During our pursuit of a satisfying career
and personal life, the stressors of the job, relationship problems, and 昀椀nancial worries are just
Whatever your personal situation, choosing
to check out a Phoenix Group meeting means at
least two things: 1) drugs/alcohol are negatively
affecting your life and happiness, and 2) you are
ready to rise from your own ashes.
On top of all the
greatness some of
us achieve, we are
also afflicted with
guilt, despair, and
self-destructive
tendencies. It
is the human
condition.
During the approximately 昀椀ve years it has
been in existence, the Phoenix Group has seen
a lot of South Florida 昀椀re昀椀ghters walking through
its doors. They were either struggling with addiction or just facing a set of negative consequences precipitated by alcohol or other drugs.
The good news is that many of those downed
昀椀re昀椀ghters have risen from their own ashes and
gotten back to living life to its fullest.
The Phoenix Group is a gathering of men and
women of the 昀椀re service who 昀椀nd hope and solidarity through honest discussions and self-re昀氀ection.
The Phoenix Group is a safe place for those seeking
a better life in recovery. Please contact us with any
questions.
Any kind of substance abuse. Con昀椀dential. Meets every week! See article on page 14.
phoenixgroup@local1403.org
Spring 2025 | JUMPLINE Magazine
