Here is a brief synopsis of my journey to sobriety. Enjoy. The Before I did not always believe I was a drug addict or an alcoholic. I come from a good family, I am educated, and I have never really had any external circumstances that society thinks makes people addicts. For those reasons, I was in denial for a very long time. I always thought I simply was acting my age, or that it was just the relationship I was in, or that I was overwhelmed with life. I had a million reasons. None of my reasons included me having an actual problem or an addiction. It was not until I was charged with four felonies due to my using that I really took a step back, and thought to myself, “This is not normal. ‘Normal’ people do not go through this.” That was the moment that changed my entire life. The During After I got charged with my felonies, I decided to get some help. I got honest with my family, and told them I needed treatment. I was sick, and not ok. I had overdosed countless times, I had caused so much harm and pain, and now I was facing prison time. I had never been more scared in my entire life. I went to treatment, and stayed sober for some time. I was also going through all my court proceedings during this time. But I just was not ready, and I relapsed. I continued to use and drink until I went back into treatment. All in in all it took me going to treatment three different times before I finally got sober. Then I got sent to prison. The After When I got sentenced to a 1.5 years in prison, I thought my whole world was crashing down around me. How did this happen? What have I done? These were the questions that ran through my head all day, and all night. However, it did not matter. I was going to prison. I had to make the decision whether or not I was going to go through this scenario sober, or not. I chose sobriety. I chose life. I went to treatment for the last time on March 17, 2016, and I went into prison April 20, 2016. I stayed sober the whole time, and I will now celebrate a year and a half of sobriety this upcoming Sunday: September 16, 2017. The Current This blog is a very brief overview of my path to recovery. However, if anyone gets anything out of it, it’s that no matter what, there is always hope in the long run. When I finally got sober, I was hopeless, terrified, and unsure if it was ever going to stick. Today, I work in the treatment center I got sober at as a Behavioral Health Technician. I actively work the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and I sponsor other women who are trying to get sober. I survived prison, and became a better woman because of it. I am student again, I am a daughter, I am a fiancée, I am a friend, and I am a felon. The life of sobriety that I live today is better than any life I could have ever imagined for myself. Recovery is possible! Relapse does not have to be a part of anyone’s journey. Speak up, take action, and get help! Feel free to leave a comment about your own experience, or whatever feelings may have come up for you while reading this post. Maybe you had a loved one who was an addict? Maybe you yourself have experienced addiction? Tell me about it in the comments.
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AuthorMy name is Delaney Sullivan. I am a student at Arizona State University, and I am passionate about freedom from addiction. ArchivesCategories |