My addiction began when I reached the age of 40 as a form of self medication for mental illness, entitlement after birthing six children, lack of affordable entertainement, and companion sharing behavior for a spouse that drank since I had known him. At about the 10 year problem drinking mark, I awoke one morning and realized that I was killing myself and I had a new found desire to live. It was then and there that I put down the cigarettes and the alcohol. I enrolled in college at the age of 49 and earned an Associates in Chemical Dependency Practitioning. Next week I graduate with a BA degree. My relationships within my life have never been better. Thankful for that lightbulb moment four years ago.