"I just celebrated twenty-nine years of being sober."
When I was twenty-three years old I went into treatment for thirty days. While in treatment I learned about my disease of addiction; I learned I could get better if I wanted to, and if I use the tools for recovery my life would get better. While in treatment I asked a woman who was also in recovery to be my sponsor, and she sponsored me for my first three years of recovery. She listened to me, encouraged me, and guided me through the twelve steps. My family was, and still is, very supportive of my recovery process.
In treatment I was told to make ninety meetings in ninety days, get a twelve-step sponsor, join a group home, stay away from people, places and things that I associated with drugs. Most importantly they told me to keep coming back.
I just celebrated twenty-nine years of being sober. My clean date is August 8th, 1988. I have a twelve-step home group in Johnston, PA. I am the GSR and the Treasurer of my home group. I have a twelve-step sponsor, and I sponsor a woman who asked for my help in staying off of drugs. The only way that I can keep my recovery is to help others who want to be in recovery. I have shared my story at different meetings and events throughout my twenty-nine years in recovery.
This is why I am sharing my story; maybe my story can help someone else.
