- Alcohol
- Drugs
For as long as I can remember, I felt like something was wrong. I felt uncomfortable in this world. I experienced things that made me sad and lonely. I did not trust people. I felt everything so strongly. I had no idea how to process or deal with such intense feelings and intuitions.
I was offered alcohol at a very young age, and I immediately felt relief. I loved the effect. I wanted more. By 11 years old I drank to black out. I wanted to forget everything, Drugs followed and with intensity, but alcohol was my favorite drug and the one that almost killed me. I could not imagine life without alcohol.
There are many consequences and loved ones harmed. Relationships were lost. Some loved ones attempted to save me. In the end, I was alone and remembered a story about asking for help. I had no idea who or what was going to help, but I cried in desperation and admitted I could not go on. I became willing to seek help and have sought years of counseling and the support of other recovering alcoholics and addicts.
After a variety of 22 treatment programs and detox visits and years of sobriety followed by yet worse relapses, I was done. Today I am sober after roughly 26 years of active alcohol and drug addiction, I have managed to create what most would define a pretty successful and sober life.
I celebrate 7 years of continuous sobriety on June 2, 2017. I want so badly to help address the stigma attached to alcohol and drug addiction. I believe this is a great solution for helping others. I know the pain of addiction. I understand the power of the obsession to use. I get it. But, I also know there is hope for us. Many find recovery, and we are always willing to help others seeking sobriety.