Hello Port 45 Friends and Family!
I waited until today to write my blog because today I celebrate 10 years of continuous sobriety!
In recovery we share our experience, strength and hope to help the next person so here is my recovery story.
10 years ago, today I woke up in the Scioto County jail on what was the best worst day of my life. I thought that it was the end of the road for me but I could not have been more wrong. I spent 62 days in that jail cell staring out the window watching the summer days come and go. I watched a bird build a nest outside that window, lay eggs, the babies hatch and fly away. I looked at a small patch of grass between the sidewalk and the street and thought to myself “man I wish I could walk barefoot in the grass.” That summer I found gratitude for the small things in life.
Upon release, I went to treatment for another 90 days. During this time, my mother had entered the last stages of lung cancer and hospice had begun caring for her. To say that it was hard to stay in treatment is an understatement. But I did stay and I worked on myself. I cried a lot of tears and I surrendered to my powerlessness.
I completed treatment on December 5, 2011, and moved to transitional living, another good decision that I made. I discovered on December 9, 2011, that I was expecting my second child and on December 12, 2011 my mother passed away. I wanted to get high but I did not. You see my oldest son was born addicted and I refused to have a second child born addicted. I had my spiritual awakening at this time. God does not take anything from me without giving me something back. I lost my mother but I was being given a second chance to be a mother.
My son was born 6 days after my one-year clean and I tell him that he saved my life. I believe all these events happened the way that they did so that I could have my spiritual awakening.
I spent my second year of my recovery volunteering and speaking publicly as an advocate for people in recovery. My story has been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, and a Best-selling Novel. I am grateful for the opportunities that I was given to give a voice to those in recovery.
I returned to college and began working as a counselor where I found my purpose. I am here to help others and be an advocate for those who need it. I was able to have a third child in recovery, my little girl that I always wanted. I purchased my first home for my children to grow in and have stability. I have never stopped fighting for me and those around me. I have an amazing support group, people that are my friends and my co-workers. I have to opportunity to travel with my children and have been to places like Belize, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the Grand Canyon. I have rebuilt relationships with my father and my sister. I have a dog!
All of these happened because I have not picked up a drink or drug since July 6, 2011. I was a hopeless addict and was called a “chronic relapser.” I never have to go back to that hopelessness and the only thing I have to do perfect today is just not get high. 3653 One day at a time. 87,686 hours of gratitude. 5,261,186 minutes of clean living.
The Lie is Dead — WE DO RECOVER!