Sue

My first drink I was 9, my last I was 56. I had a 20 year dry period too. I blacked out from the beginning. But the numbing of feelings and the ability to talk to males was what really kept me going back. My last two years I was drinking two bottles of wine a night, alone at home, and popping Xanax when the alcohol wore off.

What happened….in my profession I have summers off. I bargained with myself that I would cut back and only drink on weekends when I returned to work in September. I couldn’t hold to it. I tried to cut back and couldn’t. I tried to stop and couldn’t. I was called out at work by a student who said what I taught them that day was opposite of what I taught day before. That was a Wednesday. Saturday morning I looked in the mirror and burst into tears. I didn’t recognize myself and despised the woman I had become. I called 3 friends, one a member of AA. I went to my first meeting that night.

Today I am peaceful, content and more God conscious than I’ve ever been. I have a home group, a commitment at that group, a sponsor, sponsees and other service positions. I have my tribe of women who are my anchors. My primary purpose today is to stay sober, help others and practice these principles in all my affairs! Seven years ago my 4 sons were planning an intervention. This summer we all spent a week at the beach and I get to babysit my new grandson! So many gifts of sobriety!