You are creating the foundation for the quality of your own sobriety and your life…

It was more than a few 24 hours ago when I sat where you are today. My sobriety was new, and I had the willingness to do whatever I could in order to have recovery.

I was 22 years old. I had lost my home, my family, and I was not only unemployed, but unemployable. I had totaled my car and lost my driver’s license from an OUI.

I found myself where you are – with an opportunity to grow and change. It was important for me to realize that I was one of the lucky ones. When I was at Wellspring, I was one of 13 women in the State of Maine fortunate enough to be in the house at that time. I was sober and in an environment that supported my sobriety. I was encouraged to work hard to combat my denial and to deal with the issues that may jeopardize my sobriety.

At Wellspring, I learned how to cope, to grow, to share, to confront, to problem solve, to be responsible for myself and to others. I learned how to work my program. The 12 Steps, the fellowship, unity, recovery, and service, are an integral part of my life. I have lasting and enduring friendships.

I tell you this as encouragement because where you are is one of the more difficult yet valuable places to be. You are creating the foundation for the quality of your own sobriety and your life.

In the 13 years which have passed since I had my last drink/drug, I have returned to college and earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. I have a meaningful career. Friends have died drunk, sober, and even committed suicide. Others have continued in their struggles in and out of detox and in and out of psychiatric hospitals. Others have maintained sobriety and gone on to do excellent work in their respective careers.

No matter what has happened, I have not needed to drink or drug. Graduations, weddings, funerals, superbowls, college, camping, 4^th of July, New Year’s Eve, Christmas, etc. All sober – every time.

It’s very possible and very much worth all of your effort, all of your tears, and all of the pain. Please give yourself the gift of gratitude.