I have been in recovery for 9 years. My recovery date is June 1, 2012. My addiction began when I married an alcoholic, and began drinking with him, having social parties at restaurants and at home. My addiction to alcohol continued for years after that. I was not a daily drinker, but I was a periodic drinker, and when I drank, I sometimes would black out. This continued for many years. I didn’t think I was an alcoholic because I would go for years without drinking, but would resort to drinking when I would have a major event, such as a breakup of a relationship. I was in so much pain then, I would use alcohol as a painkiller.

The turning point was when I saw my former husband at a college graduation party, when I noticed that he had symptoms of alcoholic dementia; he was slurring his words, had trouble with his vision, he was very thin and his skin color and his eyes revealed a jaundiced color indicating advanced liver disease. When he walked, his balance was poor and he shuffled from one place to another. His conversation was incoherent, and I saw him suffering. It was then that I heard that still, small voice say, “There but for my grace, you will go.” I never had another drink after that as I turned my will and my life over to the care of my Higher Power. Since that day, I have worked on my sobriety and have completed all the steps to recovery and continue to practice these steps in all my affairs.

My resources are my sponsor, my home group meetings and many friends I have met along the way. I read the Big Book of AA, do daily meditations, have a therapist and I help those I sponsor through the steps of recovery. I work a program of honesty and forgiveness and today I experience joy in my daily activities. I am in excellent health, I live in my own place, manage my expenses, I exercise daily and I eat a healthy diet, I am a professional and enjoy my job and many friends, including longtime friends from high school and college.

For someone who is willing to recover, I would suggest they come to AA, find a sponsor to help them work the steps and join us in the fellowship. If they are battling their addiction and need medical help, I would suggest they be admitted to a recovery center, enter a 28 day program and get all the help they need. This program is a “we” program and I have seen many recover from their addictions if they seek help.

Thank you for asking me to share my recovery with you. My hope is that someone who is suffering now will hear and understand that there is always hope for their recovery.