– By Anonymous Staff (and Grateful Sober Alcoholic)

The end of a painful, gratifying, frustrating, and inspirational period of my life was exciting and terrifying at the same time.  I had finished my six month residential program at B2B.  I moved on to the Beyond the Basics program that allowed more freedoms while still gave me the oversight and accountability that I needed.

I had lived my life on the outskirts of society for so long that I had no idea how to survive in a world where people showed up for work and followed through with their commitments. How was I going to make my bed, cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, show up for work, be a part of my family, go to a meeting, contribute to my community in a positive way, etc… all while staying sober.  It seems easy and common to a normal person, but I am anything but that.

My solution and savior was the men and women in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Following suggestions, going to meetings, getting out of self, and actually doing what my sponsor claimed would help, actually did help.  My whole life changed.  The people in my life suggested that I had to have a complete psychic change.  Through the habits formed at B2B and working on my mental, spiritual and physical self every day, I have been able to find peace and serenity in my daily life.

While life still throws me curve balls, and I don’t have the right answer for all the questions presented to me, today I have a support network, a higher power, and a renewed invigorated life that doesn’t require me to think of alcohol or drugs as an answer to my problems.  I am grateful for all that life has offer today more that I could have ever imagined.  As long as I can focus on today, I have a chance!