What it was like?

I started drinking in my 20"s, I went from drinking to using hard drugs. 8 years I continued to use and drink because I was angry and felt lost. I felt I had to escape from the hurt, fear and pain.

What happened?

In 2003 after converting to Catholicism. Although I had been attending RCIA and mass I would slip every 3 weeks. At confirmation I knew what the next step would be 12 step recovery program. I reached out to a friend after 5 months of battling the process of attending meetings. I drove to Sacramento and talked with my good friend. My friend stated if I wanted to be a good friend and friends with them I had to quit. " so I did"

What it is like now?

The first year was the hardest. In 2003 after I returned from Sacramento on my 45th day and my mom and dads wedding anniversary my father suffered a heart attack and died. In this same year I lost touch with my friend who encouraged me. I have a little over 14 years now. Its been a amazing journey rediscovering who I am and what I want from life. The 12 steps gave me knowledge and healed me in areas I didn't think possible. The writing was a painful process that I did 4 times, peeling the onion so to speak. Today I have an appreciation towards life and being a person who still works on herself emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally. I take care of my self in these areas by attending meetings,church, seeing a therapist and continuing my education although I have fear surrounding math. I choose to go through a certain discomfort / fear and even though I don't know the outcome I face it. Life is beautiful! I hand my day over to my loving God and give thanks and help those around me. I look forward to the next chapter of my life next year I am getting married. One last thing. Believe in this process, sure the beginning is always the hardest. Stay positive and surround yourself with family and people who believe in you too. It works. Love Elizabeth~