Written Stories Archives

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I Knew It Was Time to Change

Before recovery, I was broken in every which way. What made me realize I had a huge problem was when my family didn’t want to be around me anymore. From drinking all day and night, to landing in the ER multiple times and missing work, I knew it was time to get help. I knew it was time to change,

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The Moment I Quit Drinking, I Was Born Again

I wasn’t my true self. People lost trust and respect for me. I lied to cover up my addiction. I stole money for my next drink. I carried bottles of hard liquor in my purse so I could have enough to drink, but it was never enough. I was homeless. I lost my apartment because I didn’t want to pay

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Wake Up, Show Up, Don’t Give Up, Sober is Doper

In my addiction, it was the biggest misrepresentation of who I truly was- as a human being, son, brother, father, and friend. I wore layers of masks to hide to the world who Jason really was. I dwelled in self-pity and used shame to keep myself stuck in my addiction, in a pit. I got complacent and comfortable in this

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I Love and Trust Myself Again

In one year, I survived extreme violent trauma, a family crisis, and the death of my father. I was left to pick up the pieces of my soul, but I had no healthy coping skills. I turned to alcohol and drugs to numb my deep pain, PTSD, and sorrow. I also suffered from bulimia. My addictions caused so many new

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Recovery is a Beautiful Thing

My name is Wesley, and I am a person in long-term recovery. What that means for me is that I have not used a mind-altering substance since February 6th, 2013. I was actively addicted to drugs, alcohol and a lifestyle of crime for 12 years. I lived to use and used to live. My life in addiction revolved around getting,

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My Life Changed Overnight

My name is Keith and this October I will be seven years sober. My life before recovery consisted of me drinking all night and trying to have enough alcohol to last me until the liquor store opened at 8 a.m. the next morning. The turning point for my addiction was when I started hearing the voice of my deceased brother who committed suicide

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Edna Towarak’s Story

My new life started 8 months ago. That is the day I gave up drinking alcohol and started my journey to recovery. After years of addiction, I landed in the Emergency Room after drinking way too much and unfortunately, this was not my first alcohol-related trip to the ER. The look of concern and fear on my son’s face as

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Grown Into Addiction

Two Recovering Addicts Share Their Paths to Serenity After Conquering Substance Abuse When we think of a person with a drug or alcohol addiction, we tend to imagine adults. But many of the recovering addicts we spoke to said their habits started in childhood and escalated over time. For some, it stemmed from a family history of substance abuse, while

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Stacy’s story

Hello, my name is Stacy. I am Dena’ina Athabascan from Tyonek, Alaska. On November 8, 2016 I celebrated 90 days sober from alcohol. I haven’t consumed drugs since March 8, 2016. I have been struggling with addiction since I was 11 years old; I’m 29 years now.  I must say recovery has brought me so much joy. I hit my

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