I am a 38 year old alcoholic and addict.
It took me 22 years to finally surrender and turn my will and life over to a power greater than drugs or alcohol, or any human power for that matter.
I grew up most of my life in Cleveland, Ohio. In an alcoholic, addict family. Oldest of 6. I have a dual diagnosis. Lots of abuse growing up, sexually, emotionally, physically. I was the dirty kid with long hair that everyone picked on in school. I went through foster homes until 16, running away from everywhere, living on the streets as a teen.
Using and drinking became the answer to the victim role I took on. I committed crime and spent 10 years of my adult life in prison. Being released in 2012, I went to a 12 step fellowship to stay out of prison. I met my fiance and she was attracted to the examples she saw as my supporter. She learned she was one of us.
I didn’t finish my act until February 24th, 2014. I stopped being a victim. I’m a survivor. I’m recovering. I give away what’s freely given to me.
As I write this, I’m on a spiritual high at 2:12 a.m. because my fiance, two friends, and I took a road trip to Niagra Falls today. It was amazing. Today I have a great life after only a short time in recovery. I wouldn’t trade my worse day sober for my best day in the prison of addiction or alcoholism.
Thank you God for speaking and working through so many people for me. Life is beautiful. And precious. And you’re worth it.