- Drugs
Aaron and I met while I was volunteering for the Recovery Wellness rooms at the Democratic National Convention in 2012. I was only supposed to be there one day, but Aaron texted me and said I was a “rock star” and could come back as much as I wanted during the week. Needless to say I was there every day. Aaron is a recovery advocate and a guiding force in my recovery. We are around the same age, and I got to see him pick up nine years the week I met him! He inspired me to get more involved with my recovery. He gave me a chance, and it meant so much to me. We have a great friendship. It is built on the love of recovery, helping others and having fun. Thank you, Aaron!
My recovery process began on September 6, 2003, and my life is truly better as a result of my recovery. A lot has changed for the better. I have been employed all throughout recovery, and today I have the job I always wanted. I also got married last year and am now a homeowner which would have been impossible over ten years ago.
What led to your need for recovery?
My life in active addiction left me stagnant. I was not really able to have healthy relationships with people including family members and other people I loved. My substance use halted my education and really took away from my creative side as a musician. These were some of the reasons that opened the door to recovery for me. My turning point was when a group of loved ones approached me on September 5, 2003.
What is one important truth you’ve learned through the process?
The important truth for me was learning that recovery actually is a process. I have been fortunate to find and sustain recovery for over ten years. Stopping was hard, but at times maintaining recovery was even harder. However no matter how bad or good you think things are, they will pass, and you can be okay in your recovery by living life and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I had to give myself a fighting chance, and I feel like I can get through anything today without a drink or a drug.
What are you most proud of about your life today?
I am most proud of the recovery advocacy work I do. I love to speak out as a person in recovery and inspire others to find it. I am not ashamed of addiction or recovery, and I think that is something that has evolved over the past ten years. I find the more people I personally share my recovery with, the stronger it is and the more people I can help. I have shared my recovery story with family, friends, young people, old people, elected officials, chaplains, fellows in recovery, the media, law enforcement and you. There are so many negative and messy addiction stories out there, but we can share the positive side of addiction recovery to counter some of that negativity.
What is one of your biggest struggles in ongoing recovery? How do you overcome that?
The biggest struggle I have in ongoing recovery is seeing the barriers that still exist for people even after they have been in recovery for some time. There is obviously a negative perception of people in recovery, and I think the public has no idea how hard recovery can be and how important it is. People who stop doing drugs and using alcohol have to overcome barriers like finding employment and getting back to school to better their lives after a drug-related offense in their past. We aren’t doing enough to help others overcome some of these barriers.
Are there goals you’ve met or dreams you’ve pursued that you’re particularly proud of?
I am particularly proud of being a homeowner and married in recovery.
Is there a truth or piece of advice someone shared with you that has helped you on this road?
“Do the deal.”
What would you tell someone at the beginning of this journey who is afraid they can’t do it?
I would tell them they are supposed to be afraid and that it’s a normal reaction to changing their lifestyle. You aren’t supposed to know what is next, and that is the beautiful thing about recovery. You can trust the process, go with the flow and come out okay from all of it.