I am a recovered alcoholic. To someone who is unfamiliar with the recovery world in general, or Alcoholics Anonymous in particular, that might not seem like a controversial thing to say. But for some in AA, it can be triggering. It has to do with the seemingly subtle difference between saying that I am a “recovered alcoholic” or an “alcoholic in recovery.” But is it a distinction without a … [Read more...]
Recovery Month 2022 – What Recovery Means to Me
September is Recovery Month. The fact that it falls in September holds special meaning for me because on September 20, 2022, it will have been 22 years since I made the decision to stop drinking and to get and to stay sober. I got sober in my 30s. I was just so sick and tired of being sick and tired. Life seemed pointless. And that was unacceptable to me. I had two beautiful daughters who … [Read more...]
What Recovery Means to Me
This past Saturday morning, I received a Facebook message from Dan, one of my high school friends. He wanted me to know that he had seen my posts over the years about my recovery path. Inspired by the postings, he resolved to quit drinking. Saturday was his five-year sobriety date. Until that moment, I never knew the impact I had had on his life. Stories like this one are legion among the … [Read more...]