This is my
story on how I turned from alcohol and drugs to leading
a clean and sober life for the past three years. If I
continue to do the things that the AA program has taught
me, I will have three years clean and sober on December
1st of this year.
I started to
drink and use drugs when I attended college in the mid
70’s. There, I was introduced to alcohol and drugs and
my life went downhill. This led me to despair,
dishonesty, and an obsession that took many years to
overcome. Once I started to drink I could not stop.
I
was introduced to the AA program in the mid 80’s and
because I did not take the program seriously I continued
to get clean and sober for short periods of time and I
would go out and repeat this action over and over again
over the next 25 years. A life that I thought was so
rewarding was turning on me. There would be trouble in
my life for many years to come because I was not willing
to admit that I was a real alcoholic. I tried to drink
like normal people do but I could not control my
drinking – once I started I could not stop!
From the first
time I was arrested in 1985 to the last time in November
30, 2005, I was always starting my life over because of
the trouble I go in when I drank and used. I never had a
problem getting a job, but always had a problem keeping
one. My friends left me, I lost my wife, house – I lost
everything I loved! But, there was something that I
loved over everything I had and that was alcohol and
drugs.
Then came the
event that changed my life. I was arrested in 2005 for
Aggravated DUI. I was out of control and I do believe to
this day that going to county jail and prison was the
best thing that has ever happened to me. I didn’t feel
that way at the time, but today it has changed my life.
I was there for seven months and I had a lot of time to
reflect on my life and the events that lead to my
incarceration. I knew I had to change my lifestyle or I
was destined to return.
The one good
thing in my life while attempting to get clean and sober
over the past 13 years here in Yuma is that I had knew
where to get the help I needed to turn my life around. I
was released from prison on July 3, 2006 and I put my
plan together that I had prayed for and thought about in
prison. I started attending meetings the very next day.
I got a sponsor and worked the 12 steps the way he
suggested, not mine. I was of service and for the first
time in my life I expected nothing in return. I learned
that service work was very rewarding and it helped me
stay clean and sober by helping others for almost three
years now.
Because helping
others is so important in my life I wanted to make it my
job. I’ve been working at the Men’s Shelter and
participating in activities here at Crossroads Mission
since May. It is very rewarding to help others so they
don’t have to travel the road I have taken and know that
there is life to be lived without drugs and alcohol!
IN HIS OWN WORDS...
