Addiction Coping and Recovery Personal Stories Personal Alcohol and Drug Recovery Stories Visitors to the Verywell Mind Addiction Site Share Their Experience By Buddy T Buddy T Facebook Twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 27, 2020 Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Adah Chung Fact checked by Adah Chung LinkedIn Adah Chung is a fact checker, writer, researcher, and occupational therapist. Learn about our editorial process Print Paul Thomas / Stockbyte / Getty Images Visitors to this site share thoughts about their experience with alcoholism, as well as strength and hope, with stories of their personal journey in recovery. The Importance of Anonymity in AA Jean G I gave up hope of ever becoming sober. I decided to drink myself to death. It didn't work. After destroying my kids' lives and losing our home, car and my job, I became temporarily sober for periods of 6 months or so—never lasting more than a year on the wagon. Judy L I was blessed with Alateen fellowship at a recent Al-Anon area conference. They have encouraged me to act on my concerns for my children's future by hugging them, loving them, and sharing recovery with them today. Tall Paul What I have come to believe is that it doesn't matter how old you are, how much you drank or used, the color of your skin, what you believe or don't believe, you can practice these principles for life. Peggy If you read this and you think you have a problem, chances are you do. Please do not let your fear and your denial get in the way of your recovery. I did not live to live life without drugs. I lived so that I could help others like myself. Jean Believe me, I tried to blame everyone and everything I knew for my drinking; the death of my child, the ex-husbands, etc. Everyone was responsible for my drinking except me. Jean's Alcoholic Story: I Tried to Blame Everyone and Everything Don That started the last run. I was in a blackout off and on for the next 90 days. The rent check bounced, I lost $1,000. I woke up and looked in the mirror and knew that it was life or death. Valerie I stopped eating and finally ended up in the ER a couple of times before they diagnosed the liver failure and the rest. I was dying. The doctors just gave up and shipped me off to a county hospital to die. There I was given Last Rites twice. Daily Drinkers at Greater Risk of Developing Alcohol Liver Disease Alethea The night I celebrated my 6th (sobriety) anniversary I picked up a drink. Buckshot's Legacy Buckshot was just a man no hero just an Alcoholic with a love for the program and for his fellow man. Carter I'm starting all over again today... I am so disappointed in myself because I drank yesterday. Can a Prescription Help in Your Alcoholism Treatment? Gary This disease of alcoholism is too cunning baffling and powerful to let me ever take a rest or sit on my laurels for too long. Ginna I knew in the midst of my sheer insanity that I had just had a spiritual experience and that I would be okay. Jill I lay there waiting and I prayed for God to please let me die. I just needed out. I blacked out at that point. Mary A I had read the book and knew it all. I didn't need anyone to tell me what I had to do. Mary B Living life on life's terms and having to do everything sober for the first time was scary. Mike K This time we are recovering as a family. They understand better as do I that we need to recover together. Dealing With a Relapse Peter S The lovable are never forgotten and the lovable inspire long after they are gone. Rosemary Something happened to me that night. I experienced a peace that I had never known in my life or if I had experienced it before, I didn't remember it. The Benefits of Quitting Alcohol Sue Ann I used to think that March 26, 1975, was the day that I died. SoberChild I started to drink on a regular basis when I was 13. The popular kids would hang out with me because I could get cigarettes and booze. Steve G. I do not have influential friends or fancy things. But if I had to give up my sobriety to get all of that back I don't want it. Left Behind I hope and pray that he comes around. But after my amends had been made there was little else I could do. Overcoming Dry Drunk Syndrome or PAWS Suicide Dream I had created my own hell then tried to run away from it. Maggie The recovery of the whole family has been the greatest gift of my life. I Had to Look Within I had to look within deep within my soul to make sense out of a senseless act. Staying Married Takes Work Unfortunately in today's world of "fix it quick" mentality divorce is too quickly chosen. Divorce vs. The Risks of Staying There are a lot more risks in staying with the alcoholic today than there were when the founders were around. The Butterfly and Al-Anon When most of us come to Al-Anon we are similar to the butterfly. There was a time when we too were unlovely creatures. The Butterfly Symbolizes Transformation That Many Find in Al-Anon He Was Killed Night Before Last They let him drive away from there three sheets to the wind more times than they could count. How Alcoholics Anonymous Works Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. 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