I first drank and got drunk when I was 10 yrs. old at my uncles annual barbecue. I got so sick that I had no interest in drinking again until I was about 19 and started going out to bars with my friends. Thinking back, I can't ever remember a time that I ever drank and didn't get completely out of control. My spiral into serious alcoholism started when I was 22 and my parents had passed away within a year of each other and I was left with 2 younger sisters and a lot of responsibility.

We sold the family home and I embarked on an 8 year drinking spree that included 3 DUI's,one where they told me I should have been in a coma with such a high BAC. I did 2 stints on probation,a couple of broken marriage engagements,and even more broken bones and other injuries. I drank through my first probation and ended up in a 30 day rehab. and did manage to stay sober for 4 months, but it didn't take much persuasion to get right back to it again. I did several rounds with mandated counseling, but just played through it.

I finally got arrested for the final time on St.Patrick's Day evening in 1988 and was sent to city jail. I remember laying on a cot in the drunk tank when I was awakened by this bright blue light hovering above me. I was terrified and then this feeling of complete calm came over me and I knew that everything was going to be alright.

The next day my brother-in-law bailed me out and I headed back to the bar I hung out at. I went in, greeted some of my friends,ordered a beer and picked it up and remembered what had happened the previous night,set it back down on the bar and walked out. That was the beginning of my life in soberiety. I got myself to Alcoholics Anonymous and did everything right and was released from probation early. I now have a good job of 20 years where I've worked myself up into a management position. I own my own home and have the the respect of my family again. I recently married my partner of 11 years on the beach at Cape Cod with both our families there.

I now take my life one day at a time and count all my blessings. I still think about that blue light and what it might have been and I thank my higher power everyday. Today I am recovery.