Recovery, in their own words
December Archives
Recovery stories from people whose sobriety date falls in December — real accounts shared to remind anyone still struggling that they are not alone.
Age 38Since 12 / 12 / 2015
Sheilah Powell
I hated waking up every single day. I was unhappy, miserable and angry. I felt like I was wandering around life without a road map and couldn't deal with anything. I needed alcohol and pills...
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Since 12 / 11 / 2010
Sherri
I was just numb and in a perpetual state of denial. My life was a mess and I couldn’t keep relationships. Most of all, I hated myself.
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Age 49Since 12 / 15 / 2017
Kat
Most of my life, I had been suffering from PTSD brought on by many abusive situations and events. I didn't realize how each one was like a bead on an Abacus: they kept sliding together until...
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Age 35Since 12 / 10 / 2018
Jen
A living hell....I was losing everything that I worked so hard for in my life. The people, the places, the things....everyone was tired of trying to save me so I had to save myself!
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Age 45Since 12 / 15 / 2017
Christian Roy
I was in a constant self-sabotage mode. In short, I was consciously destroying myself. Too much pressure that I imposed on myself, I could not manage my emotions normally anymore. I had beco...
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Age 57Since 12 / 28 / 2000
Diana
I was a social drinker at first, then I crossed that line into chronic. Once I took that first sip of alcohol, I couldn’t stop drinking. It wasn’t fun at all anymore. Alcohol is cunning, baf...
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Age 36Since 12 / 15 / 2007
Michael Maisey
My mum was an alcoholic and my father was a heroin addict. My father left before I was 1. I experienced physical and sexual abuse and episodes of neglect. At 15 I was convicted of armed robb...
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Age 29Since 12 / 25 / 2013
Bree Rowe
Jails, rehabs, motels, and insanity. I lost my newborn triplets and 2 year old daughter and was consumed by fear.
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Age 67Since 12 / 17 / 2013
Lou
I was knocking down a couple fifths a day. Contemplated suicide.
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Age 31Since 12 / 30 / 2017
Nicole Medina
Living in a nightmare everyday, trying to keep up with your own lies alone is the worst! Feeling that maybe tomorrow will be the day I finally don't wake up!
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