- Alcohol
- Drugs
I was born on a farm and had one younger sister, two older ones and an older brother. My dad was a hard worker, and his life revolved around the American Legion, as he was a WWII vet. My mom was a very heavy drinker. They fought often which led to divorce. I was put on phenobarbital at age 10 after experiencing a convulsion. From age 10 on, I took phenobarbital. At 13 or 14, I was drinking with friends and experimenting with drugs. When I turned 19, I flipped out in a blackout and got locked up for a year. I learned to live by myself. I was drinking, drugging and in and out of jail constantly. A close friend asked if I wanted to go to a 12-step meeting. I did go, and I slipped in and out of meetings and recovery for the next six years. In 1985 I finally got sober, and I just celebrated 28 years. The 12-step fellowship is the best thing that has ever happened to me. The best advice I ever got was, “If it doesn’t draw us together in unity, it has no business being said at all.” This has saved me much grief!