I have been blessed with an overwhelmingly positive response to my book since its release in May.
Many people (those who are not addicts or alcoholics) have commented that they have learned a great deal about the disease of addiction and others (those who do struggle with substances) have found comfort in knowing they are not alone.
But the one comment I have heard repeatedly is “Thank you for being brave enough to share your story”.
That comment always makes me pause and reflect.
Sure, it was painful at times to relive a past that was not picture-perfect, to say the least, however, it has been so many years since I stopped feeling shameful about my past.
I learned in recovery that we must share our experience, strength, and hope with another suffering addict/alcoholic to keep our own sobriety.
I don’t feel brave when I share my truth with the world, I feel grateful that I have found my voice and humbled knowing there may be the smallest chance that my life experience may help one person find their voice as well.
God has led me on a path in life where I have been faced with challenges for a reason.
HE chose those of us who battled the beast of substance use disorder or fought next to a loved one in that war because He knew we would not go through that experience in vain.
We would find our voice and shout from the mountain tops “YOU ARE NOT ALONE!”
We would use our painful experiences to pull others from the darkness.
We would not sit silently and watch the beast try to take another life.
We will fight for you, and you will find your voice when the battle is done.
“We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it”
(From the promises of A.A.)