- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Friends & Family
- Mental Health
I started my recovery on April 13, 2013. Everything in my life had to change. I had to change cities and the way I ran my life and did things. I have seen positive changes happen because of this. Today I live a very sustainable and happy life.
My turning point was when I went home to Texas for my cousin’s wedding. I did not arrange to do any drugs over the trip because I did not think I was an addict. I starting going into withdrawal and experiencing psychosis and hallucinations. I thought I was going to lose my mind. It lasted for several weeks. I went to Washington, D.C. to stay with my sister and start therapy and intensive outpatient therapy soon after that.
I believe you have to give it away to receive it. I believe that you have to listen, learn and support other people in their recovery in order to live your best life in recovery. I am proud of my recovery. It’s number one in my life, and I would not have what I have today if it was not for that. I would not be where I am today without it.
One of the biggest struggles for me is finding the time to balance my advocacy work with my professional life, but I have absolutely met goals in recovery. I am living in Washington, D.C., which is one of my most favorite places. I have a very happy and stable life. I work as a consultant in government affairs and get to be around the leaders and shakers of our country, and I am glad to be one of them.
When I first got in outpatient treatment, I learned that all roads lead to recovery, and recovery can look different for every person. Some people are into 12-step recovery, some are not. Some are into SMART recovery; some do not go to meetings at all. I take the tourist approach and take a little from all of these programs, and this has shaped my recovery today. I would tell someone at the beginning of his or her recovery journey that it is tough and probably the hardest thing you will do in your life. You may not understand it, but you have to do it to save your life. These feelings pass, it does get easier and life does get better.