Kristine

At first (at 14.5), I was a student in the mornings and a weekend drunk. I grew up & I became a professional by day, falling down drunk by night. I was a black out drinker for most of my drinking career - hearing the 2nd hand stories was terrible so I stopped going out & continued to poison myself in the solitude of home. My, then, toddler had to always asked before she took a drink of "mommy's juice".

My last drink didn't lead to another drunken stupor. I fell into a wall after just half of a drink, the kicker - a friend was at my house with me when it happened and they had to help me to my room because I couldn't walk. I was dumbfounded by what happened, only to learn later that my body had started shutting down and that was my "what in the world am I doing to myself" moment. The "tongue in cheek" joke of my story is that I honestly didn't know that AA was a real organization. I thought it was only in books and movies. The next day I searched online for "AA" and found the inter group number. I called and I was in a meeting that same night. I haven't regretted putting the poison down, not once.

Happy, Joyous and Free .... for the majority of the time. Living life on life's terms can be hard at times but nothing has been so difficult that I have needed to pick up again. I've gone through many difficult things but I've experienced SO MUCH joy, love, true friendships and I have had the opportunity to work with many women in the program of AA. I work the steps in my daily life, I attend meetings on the regular and I'm honest with myself, with my sponsor - no matter how bad or difficult the situation is, even when I've caused the chaos. I suit up and show up, not just for the still suffering alcoholic but for ME, for my family, both chosen and blood. Sobriety is worth every.single.step. Progress not perfection, it's a journey - not a destination.I hope you chose joy for yourself.