Recovery
When I look back to one year ago, I never imagined my life would be the way it is today. Before I came through the doors of AA in July 2019, my perception of the alcoholic was uneducated, along with my perceived idea of recovery. I have battled my alcoholism for a long time, since a young girl actually, I did not know what I suffered from and did not discover this until I walked through the doors of AA. I had been trying to control my drinking for a long period of time – I just wanted to drink like ‘the rest of them’ until eventually I hit my rock bottom in 2019. Due to my uneducated perception of an alcoholic, I thought I was too young to be sober as I was only 23 when I started my recovery and embarked on the 12 Step Programme. I thought my life would be drinking coffee, talking to old folk and never entering a party again! Oh, how wrong I was!
I had been to AA before, but I believe I wasn’t ready. However, when I came back last year, I really wanted help (not knowing exactly what that was) and I needed answers to the long, agonising confusion that had been in my head from a young age. I took on the suggestions and went to as many meetings as I could, building friendships with strong, supportive women, taking numbers and more importantly using the numbers when I was struggling or having a bad day. Eventually, when I was ready to tackle the war zone in my head, I asked a lady to be my sponsor and discovered (later on) that I am the issue and alcohol had appeared to be the solution to my problem – I could not live life, on life’s terms.
I was honest, willing and open minded when I embarked on the Programme of Recovery. I gave it my all and trusted the process. To be honest, I didn’t fully understand it all but eventually the confusion cleared and I could start to help other young alcoholics. So, what is my life like today? Is it a life beyond my wildest dreams as I was promised? The answer is YES! Keep coming back and keep it simple.
Jo
Hamilton Late Night Big Book Discussion Friday