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 […]
Here it is! My first “Voices of Recovery” feature for National Recovery Month 2017. Before I post the Q&A, just a little note about Jackie. She is an incredible woman who has been commenting on my blog posts, offering her own experience, encouraging me, cheering me on, and supporting me practically since day one. I […]
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 […]