A Story of Recovery a Story of Success

Hello, my name is Tina, and I am an recovering Alcoholic/Addict . . .

I am also a mother, wife, daughter, sister, Substance Use Disorder Counselor, friend, and volunteer on SMART.

My addictions do not define who I am today, but they are an integral part of how I got to this point in my life.  Looking back, I know now that I was an alcoholic by the time I was 16 years old.  It wasn’t about how much or how often I consumed alcohol, it was about the effect it had on me and the cravings and obsession it triggered.

My alcoholism grew into drug addiction in my early 20’s. It didn’t matter what form my substance came in, a drug is a drug is a drug is a drug. I finally hit my bottom August 14, 2005. My daughter was no longer allowed to be with me unsupervised, I lost my job, my marriage was a wreck and I was emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually broken. I weighed 105 lbs and was unable to function without some sort of substance in my body at all times.

Support those in recovery

Thank goodness for my family, friends and support from a community 12 step program.  Little by little I was able to put my life back together.  That was 7 years, 4 months and 6 days ago.  Since then I have been able to have my daughter and my stepchildren back into my life. My marriage is happy and healthy.  My family and friends can trust me to do the things I tell them I’m going to do. I even have two beautiful grandchildren that light up every time they see their “nanna.”  I have an amazing job that I get to show up to everyday and help others who struggle with substance abuse find a new way to live. I was able to go back to school and get my certification in Substance Use Disorder Counseling.

Every one of us has been touched by addiction

Every one of us has been touched by the darkness of addiction, in any of its destructive forms (alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, co-dependency, eating disorders, etc.).  Today I have a choice.  Today I choose to be “happy, joyous and free,” because for me, to live any other way is to die.

Educating ourselves and being aware of what addiction looks like is the best thing that any of us can do for our families, fellow employees and communities.  Addiction does not discriminate between race, gender, religion, income or age.  Recovery shouldn’t either.

I’m so grateful to all the people out there that have touched mine and my family’s life. In turn, I pray each day that I am able to use my experiences to help the still suffering alcoholic or addict to know that there is a different, much more peaceful way to live. Thank you all for being a part of my recovery today, and I will take another 24. 

For more information on how to spot teen substance abuse and tips on talking to your loved ones about getting help visit: www.drugfree.org. 

Join us by volunteering with SMART to prevent youth from abusing substances.