I’m Linda L. and I’m a recovering alcoholic and addict. My addiction started at a very young age. I’ve had a lot of misery. I remember always being a blackout drinker. In 1989 I drove through a bar after blacking out. Back then I never lost my license and remember just being totally scared to drink again. Never was aware of Alcoholics Anonymous.
In 2002 after a divorce I tried to learn how to drink normally. I definitely didn’t succeed. I got introduced to crack cocaine. Where at that point I was definitely going down the wrong road. Ended up losing my home to foreclosure, car got repossessed, home got raided then lost everything in my home. That was in 2006. I continued to live on the streets till 2009. When my dear mother came to Pontiac to see me for my birthday. Told me to come home with her.
From August of 2009 I went to live with my mother. That was the end of crack cocaine. But my drinking got totally out of control. After stealing mom’s car and being a drunk. Mom suggested I go to treatment. I went to program and got thrown out for blacking out drinking. Told mom I got in a fight with girl and they were kicking us both out. So home I went. Continued to keep drinking.
In January 2012 I lost my brother from a suicide. June 2012 my dear Mother drowned in the pool at our condo. At that point I became a full blown alcoholic. I didn’t want it. I needed it to function. My blackouts continued everyday till March 15, 2013 when I was driving an elderly neighbor to an appointment in her car, no license and a pint of vodka open. I dropped her off for an appointment and after that I drove through a liquor store blacked out. Woke up in hospital and didn’t know what happened.
That is when my recovery started. I went from medical floor to detox at St. Mary’s Hospital. The police came to give me my ticket and suggested I stay there and keep doing what I was doing. I went to Oakdale out-patient and started going to AA meetings.
When I meet my sponsor I remember her saying “I don’t know what to do with her “, I became her diamond in the rough. With no license and losing my mother’s condo. I just kept going to meetings every day. Even a few a day. Started working the steps and just kept doing my recovery.
After getting into recovery I watched my ex-husband/ father to my daughter die from cirrhosis of the liver. That was absolutely very sad. But really helped me appreciate and focus even more on living in the solution. Which is living the 12 steps of AA, helping others, service work and supporting anyone that reaches out for help.
Today I live an amazing life. Working the 12 steps, I sponsor a few women and now I’m a grand sponsor. I have my own beautiful home, a license and a vehicle, have an amazing God who loves me unconditional. My children who love me and trust me. My grandchildren that by the grace of God will never see there Nana lost. Two awesome one year old pup’s that depend on me daily.
If you’re new keep on coming back. There definitely is an easier softer way of living. I’m definitely living proof that it’s possible. There are a lot of “Us” that will guide you along the way. We will be with you as YOU trudge the road of happy destiny. God bless you all. 🙏🙏
Thanks for letting me share my experience, strength and hope. I’m Linda and I’m a grateful recovering alcoholic and addict.
