Recovery, in their own words

May Archives

Recovery stories from people whose sobriety date falls in May — real accounts shared to remind anyone still struggling that they are not alone.

Josh Abel 63 4 / 31 / 4 Featured story
Age 63

Josh Abel

It was hard on me to watch a good friend to go through the addiction with not much help.

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Lisa 44 5 / 13 / 2016
Age 44Since 05 / 13 / 2016

Lisa

When it started it was fun, but when you start losing family and friends because all you wanna do is get high, it's not fun anymore

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Stephen A. 64 5 / 12 / 2000
Age 64Since 05 / 12 / 2000

Stephen A.

Multiple decade enslavement to substances. I started at an early age,(11) and did not stop until age 40. I had no hope no life, no reason to exist.

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Carol 49 1997-05-24
Age 49Since 05 / 24 / 1997

Carol

Initially drinking took away my feelings of inadequacy and my insecurities. By the end I was hopeless, isolated depressed and suicidal.

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Gary C 58 5 / 21 / 2007
Age 58Since 05 / 21 / 2007

Gary C

was out of control and I was addicted to several things at once,alcohol,opiates,stealing and others. It was like " switching seats on the Titanic and I was drowning each and every day trying...

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Peter J Marshall 63 5 / 2 / 1989
Age 63Since 05 / 02 / 1989

Peter J Marshall

Hated myself.. shaved with an electric razor so I didn't have to look at myself in a mirror and see I was dead man walking

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Emily P. 47 5 / 7 / 2018
Age 47Since 05 / 07 / 2018

Emily P.

I never imagined I would be sober. I’m still surprised. I drank every night, never having any plans after 5pm because that was for me and beer only.

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Tim 46 5 / 28 / 2020
Age 46Since 05 / 28 / 2020

Tim

I was 44 years old. 360 pounds with morbidly high blood pressure. I was on my 3rd hospitalization from alcohol induced complications. It turned out to be the greatest achievement of my lifet...

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