Celebrating 13 years of Recovery August 22, clean since 08/22/2008. Recovery has been a great adventure. I wish I could freeze today because it is perfect. I realize as I write this post I am brainwashed to live the Steps of Recovery, but I needed shit washed out of my brain, because I thought drugs that were killing me were the answer to a happy & fulfilled life. Drugs had damaged every area of my life =health, career, financial, legal problems, my ability to love my family, and sustain friendships. My using/drinking destroyed relationships I still grieve and miss. Some of those people I miss were literally destroyed by their own using, and that didn't stop me.
I regularly do 6 things to further my Recovery:
1) Attend 12 Step meetings. I still attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings regularly. I am currently chairing my homegroup which is studying the 12 Traditions, until the end of the September. I feel loved and accepted there. It has been my homegroup for 6 years, it is challenging and rewarding. I also enjoy Zoom meetings.
2)Do Service. I have been on the phoneline helpline locally for 13 years, next year I will chair that committee. We get about 100 calls a month currently, so I feel like it is good service.
3) Get a sponsor. I sponsor a few people, none of whom work steps, that is there choice. I lead by example not by preaching. My sponsor has been through all 12 Steps, and stayed clean through many challenges.
4) Work Steps. I have been through the 12 steps with my sponsor many times. I feel like I live the Steps everyday, apply them to my life in real time. I am not a Saint, I could do better.
5) Read Recovery literature. I have read the first 110 pages of the Basic text many times. I have the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous many times. I have multiple copies of both.
6) Prayer and meditation. I use books and apps for prayer and meditation. I pray for Love and Acceptance, and meditate on Gratitude everyday. I make time for Recovery.

I didn't date for the for the first 3 years, so I could build a solid foundation. Good thing I did, I have had the opportunity to use with a date many times. I found myself dating a using addict for 2 years before I realized I didn't want his disease to be dictating my life anymore. I don't care if you don't think addiction is a disease, the concept works for me. If 12 Step programs didn't work for you, there are other opportunities out there that are working for people. I thought I could find an easier softer way, but I could not.
I lost many loved ones who didn't have to die; to Fentanyl crisis, the AIDS crisis, and Covid crisis. I am still here, and because of those challenges I have a deep gratitude for my life today. I have been restored to sanity. My greatest challenge is also my greatest Gift. Like a cat on a hot tin roof, the reward is just staying on it. Like the survivors of Titanic, I stay in the middle of the lifeboat. Using was like the dancing passengers, fun while the trip lasted but life comes to a painful and tragic end.
I remain single but rarely lonely today, even when we were locked down and there were no meetings and no gym. Never alone.
Staying Clean and Sober One Day At a Time. Just for Today I will lift.
Be well. Be Happy today. Auto51