Name: Amanda Age: 55 Location: Small Town America Recovery Date: January 29, 2014 Recovering From: Alcohol About Amanda: I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, and ex-wife, a significant other, a college graduate, an employee, a Christian. I’m the person no one would think had a problem with alcohol. I don’t look like an […]
Name: Jess Age: 32 Location: South Africa Recovery Date: November 2, 2016 Recovering From: Alcohol About Jess: I am a stay at home Mom. I really don’t have any complaints – I have a fantastic, patient husband, the quirkiest 8 year old daughter and I live in a beautiful coastal town. I do panic very […]
Name: Jill Age: 46 Location: NJ Recovery Date: September 5, 2016 Recovering From: Alcohol About Jill: Mom of 2 daughters, bartender, wine drinker. Finally had enough of black-outs, embarrassments, and making excuses. Q. Before you entered recovery, what did you think the “thing” you were addicted to gave you, did for you, etc.? A. Escape, […]
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been living in the future. A fantasy future. Acting as if the life I imagine I deserve will magically appear if I pretend I already have it. I don’t remember when I started living this way. College, maybe? Tail end of high school? It’s bitten me in […]
Ever since I started writing about my alcoholism and sobriety and recovery, I’ve received a lot of praise from people congratulating me not only for acknowledging and battling my addiction but also for being brave and courageous and honest and truthful in the way I tell my story. While I appreciate their kindness and respect […]
Dear Sugar, We need to talk. Yes, it’s serious. You should probably sit down. I’m sure you noticed I haven’t been looking for you at all this month. Did you wonder where I went? Well, I need you out of my life. Really. You’re such bad news and you’ve brought me nothing but heartache. I […]
A reader wrote to me and asked a great question about replacing one addiction with another, specifically replacing booze with sugar. Below, is her question, followed by my response. Hello, I saw a link to something you wrote about how your relationship to food seemed now more of a struggle than the one with alcohol. […]
Earlier today, I ended a two-and-a-half week hiatus from recovery/sobriety writing and social media sharing/engagement. Something has been missing for me, and I didn’t know what it was. What I did know was that I was looking on social media for whatever I had lost (or never had to begin with) — constantly scrolling through […]
I’m being tested. We’re always being tested, I guess. But the past couple of months have been a little bit extra trying. At least in my world. I’ll qualify that statement. We have a home, albeit small and in need of several repairs and renovations. We have groceries, and I can even afford to buy […]