The Recovery Files · Workbooks
Father Martin Deep Dives
Eight workbooks built on his Chalk Talks
Father Joseph Martin was a Catholic priest and recovering alcoholic whose Chalk Talks on alcoholism were shown in treatment programs for decades. These workbooks each take one of his core teachings — attitude, intellect over emotion, feelings, relapse, the family — and turn it into readings, check-in questions and ten exercises.
They're long, so plan on several sittings. Work through them on your own, with a sponsor, or alongside your counselor.
These workbooks support professional treatment and are not a substitute for it. In a crisis, call or text 988, or call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357.
The workbooks
Attitude Is the Father of Action
Father Martin's core teaching
How you think comes before what you do. This workbook looks at the "stinking thinking" attitudes that undermine recovery — resentment, self-pity, entitlement — and builds an attitude of gratitude in their place.
Inside: the core teaching · stinking thinking · how attitude drives action · the brain science of attitude · building gratitude · 10 exercises, including an attitude inventory
80 pages
Intellect Over Emotion
The I/E formula
In addiction, feelings run the show; in recovery, clear thinking leads and feelings follow. This one explains Father Martin's I/E formula, the trap of overthinking recovery, and how to restore the balance.
Inside: the I/E formula · how addiction flips the switch · the trap of intellectualizing · desire versus brains · restoring the balance · 10 exercises, including a 7-day I/E check-in
68 pages
Your Nightmare Is Over
Peace, sanity and stability in sobriety
Naming what active addiction really was, and learning to live with calm instead of chaos. It ends where Father Martin always did: recovery is something you do.
Inside: naming the nightmare · finding peace · the sanity of sobriety · serenity in stability · recovery as action · 10 exercises, including a then-and-now sanity checkpoint
79 pages
Father Martin's Relapse
Relapse as a process, not an event
Relapse starts in the thinking long before the drinking. This workbook covers the warning signs Father Martin named — cockiness, complacency and irritability — and how to come back after a slip without shame. Your Father Martin's Relapse page has more.
Inside: relapse as a process · stinking thinking before drinking · the three warning signs · an honest view of yourself · building the sober instinct · the no-shame return · 10 exercises
68 pages
Father Martin's Feelings
Handle them or they will handle you
Anger, resentment and self-pity as luxuries a recovering person can't afford, and why what you focus on grows. It ties feelings back to attitude and action.
Inside: handle them or they will handle you · negative feelings as dangerous luxuries · the magnification rule · stinking thinking · attitude as the father of action · bring the body · 10 exercises, including a resentment and anger inventory
51 pages
Father Martin's Recovery & the Family
Why the family doesn't heal automatically
Families don't heal on their own when the drinking stops. This one covers the upheaval of living with a "brand new person," shifting family roles, and why time takes time.
Inside: why families don't automatically heal · the crisis of change · damaged patterns and shifting roles · time takes time · amends as the bridge · intellect over emotion at home · 10 exercises
58 pages
Don't Outsmart the Simplicity of Sobriety
A simple program for complicated people
Overthinking, "my case is different," and dismissing what you haven't tried. This workbook makes the case that the directions already exist and the job is to follow them.
Inside: the geese over the Chesapeake · a simple program · terminal uniqueness · contempt prior to investigation · the directions already exist · you are not the manager · 10 exercises
45 pages
There Are No Shortcuts to Recovery
The long way is the short way
Half-measures, hurry and skipped steps. This one looks at the weight of the word "thoroughly," why time can't be rushed, and why the path others have walked is the one to follow.
Inside: the grass and the walking path · the weight of "thoroughly" · the shortcuts we take · time cannot be compressed · the path is already blazed · the long way is the short way · 10 exercises
44 pages
More from Father Martin on this site: the Chalk Talk page, the Father Martin Curriculum, and Father Martin's Relapse.
Chalk Talk → · Father Martin Curriculum → · Father Martin's Relapse → · Back to the Toolkit · Back to the top ↑