A Sobering Secret

My life was spiraling out of control right in front of my eyes. I kept it pretty hidden from almost everyone. 

No one knew the extent of my drinking. 

This was around the time that I reconnected with my now husband. He didn’t know either. I knew that it was only a matter of time before I did something that would ruin the rest of my life. 

After months of being in therapy for losing my father and dealing with my daughter’s drug addiction, my counselor kept telling me that maybe I should stop drinking. I kept thinking to myself “what does drinking have to do with anything???” I finally listened to her and I decided to try every AA meeting around me to find out what they were all about and to see if there was something in them that I could benefit from. I found a few that I loved and a few I didn’t. I was so embarrassed the very first time that I walked into my first meeting. What if I saw someone that knew me? I never thought of the other side of the coin-hey I know that person who’s sitting in the front row. We’re both here for help, no judgment. 

In the beginning, I went to multiple meetings weekly to get all the information and advice I could. As the weeks went on I found MY meeting, “the early bird meeting” as it is referred to. I can’t tell you how much these meetings helped me. I actually looked forward to my Thursday morning meetings! I met so many incredible people who had horrific stories of addiction. We were all there to get help and support, with no judgment, no shame. I went to meetings for over a year. Some people need them forever, and some don’t. At this point in my life, I don’t. There’s always a possibility that I will again.

 If you’re struggling with any kind of addiction, please reach out for help. It saved my life.