I believe that education is important when it comes to recovery. I hear countless stories of the frustration that recovering addicts feel when they sober up and can't find a job or properly care for their family. I've been trying to grasp recovery for twelve years and only when I began to educate myself did it truly work. It's helped me in more ways that I start to realize the more I educate myself. My self esteem has awakened, my speech has improved and life matters more to me now that I tr...   read more »

I am a 48 year old African-American woman who has been in recovery for the past 10 years. I used for over 18 years and did not even have a high school diploma when I entered treatment. I just completed my Masters Degree in Social Work and I currently work with adolescents who are addicted to alcohol and other drugs. I also work with people who are living with HIV/AIDS. The turning point in my life was after years of using alcohol and other drugs and belieiving that I did not have a problem,I ...   read more »

I started drinking at the age of 12. The first time I drank I blacked out.For years to come blacking out was normal to me, it was the only way I knew how to drink. I was told for years by my parents that it was a problem. Even at the age of 14 I was doing anything to get the drink. I would sneak out of the house and hitchhike 20 miles across town to get to a party. I had no care for anyone but myself. Drinking eventually lead to 3 DWI's by the time I was 21. I was on felony probation and fa...   read more »

I have been using drugs for the past 10 years of my life. Since age 15 I have been in several jails, institutions, and spiritually dead. After repeating the same mistakes over and over again and ending up with the same results, I finally had enough, and decided to try a new way of life. This last time I was arrested for larceny and spent a couple months in jail followed by treatment. When I was finally released I knew this time I was serious about my recovery, I was sick and tired of being sick ...   read more »

I was a addict for 20 years beginning with alcohol, marijuanna and progressing to cocaine and heroin. My turning point came in 1996. While incarcerated, I sought treatment through programs while locked up on other bids. But this time, I was spiritually enlightened. Thus, resulting in myself exploring the multi-causality of my addictions. When I was released back into the community, I utilized the social resources available, went to college and got a degree in human services. Today I'm a staunch ...   read more »

I was ready to take my own life in December 1984 when I asked God for help. I was on felony probation for DWI but it was not the legal issues that made me cry for help, it was the disdain I had for myself. I started using at age 15 and it lasted until I was 31. I did anything that would make me feel good. I was in the Army from 1971-1973 and it was a huge party. I received three DWI's between January 1982 and August 1983. This did not deter me from drinking and driving or using drugs. I g...   read more »