The most significant benefit of my recovery has been the realization that it is a journey best traveled together. Isolating myself in the shame and guilt of addiction only led me deeper into those feelings. I hit a rough bottom and crawled into the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), where I sat down and listened. Gradually, I began to heal instead of just trying to get by, and before I realized it, people helped me understand that I mattered and that my recovery was paramount. The obsession to drink didn’t disappear quickly, but at an astonishing pace, I found myself surrounded by loving support. The power of "we" lifted me out of the hell realm of addiction. Now, with 12 years of abstinence, the discovery in my recovery has led me way beyond the child's desperate desire for escape. Instead, my heart and mind joyously resound with "Yes! Yes, I can!" It took what it took for this recovering alcoholic and drug addict to be uplifted into the realm of fulfillment and freedom. For this gift, I am profoundly grateful.
