Lauren

I lost myself in the bottle. In less than one year, I went from graduating law school with honors, with the job, the boyfriend, the house... to losing it all. I drank from sun up to sun down. I failed the Bar Exam, and lost the house, the job and the boyfriend. I lost more jobs after that, and then I went to jail. None of it stopped me. I lied, cheated and stole to fulfill my one person in life: to drink alcohol.

I finally got sick and tired of being sick and tired. Living simply to find the next drunk was exhausting. I met someone who said there was a better way to live- a way to live free from the bottle- a way to live sober. I didn't get it right the first time, or even the second or the third. But eventually, I saw the light, and I haven't turned back since.

Life today is immensely better! I passed the Bar Exam. I have a new job, a new boyfriend, and my own apartment. I've really come to enjoy exercise and rising early in the morning to take on the day while everyone else is sleeping. I volunteer at a local animal shelter, spend time with family and friends, and take pride in my work. Today I am present in my own life. And today people are actually happy to have me in their lives. Today I no longer live in the problem. Today I live in the solution!