Promise #4: We will know peace. I entered Lakeview Health trying to negotiate a shorter stay than what was recommended. It wasn’t because I didn’t think I needed it – I was scared my family would learn what a horrible person I was. I felt I had to get home and control the narrative. My
I Can be in Recovery AND be the Mom I Always Wanted to Be
There was a time where I knew I had a problem with alcohol, but I didn’t consider myself an alcoholic. I was able to go without drinking for long periods of time, I even pretended to be a “social drinker.” It wasn’t until I’d hit a drinking binge that would last for weeks at a
Shannon’s Story of Recovery
Pittsburgh, PA | Sober Date: May 20, 2017 I am from a small town in western Pennsylvania and come from a middle-class family that loved and gave me whatever I would ever want or need. Like most teenagers, I kind of didn’t know who I was because I was part of many different groups of
Daniel Montalbano: A Victim of our Broken System
As told to Sherry by Barbara Theodosiou, Founder of “The Addict’s Mom” My son, Daniel Francis Montalbano, passed away in April of 2015, at the age of 23. Daniel was diagnosed with Co-occurring Disorders: Mental Illness (MI), and Substance Use Disorder (SUD). These two deadly disorders are the source of much tragedy and heartache in
Learning to Love Myself While Finding Recovery
Written by: Sara Sheppard My name is Sara Sheppard, and I’m an addict. Every recovery story is unique. You might find my story particularly unique, yet even in my situation, I can see the common threads existing for all addicts. For example, the hopelessness and helplessness that occurs with each individual hitting rock bottom. Or
UnshA(A)ckled
Written By: Tim C. | Sobriety Date 10.28.16 I was born in central New Jersey weighing 4lbs, feet first, and a few weeks early – my mother was hoping for a girl. Naturally, I came into this world with the need to have my way. I had a normal childhood with two loving parents who were
Started From The Bottom
My childhood was wonderful. Although my family had its struggles, it wasn’t nearly as traumatic as some of the stories I have heard other addicts and alcoholics share. Yet, at the age of 15, we had moved to a new city and I realized I was gay, and my whole world turned upside down. I
The Gift of Peace in Sobriety
My name is Cassidy and I have recovered from addiction. Growing up, I was that girl who lived in a cookie-cutter suburban home, drove a BMW to school, played on the varsity basketball team, and made the honor roll each year. I am also the girl who, despite all the gifts I had in life,
Finding the Joy We Used to Have
I remember there was morning light streaming through the window the morning I started my journey with sobriety, and the room was full of an eerie glow that made it feel like time was standing still, or like it was dawn and dusk all at the same time. I was cold and sweating and shaking,
Dying to Live: One Man’s Journey to Recovery
Three times. That’s how many times Clyde died over the last two months of his addiction. Three times. The first time Clyde was in his car, just blocks from his heroin dealer. Fortunately, a cop had stumbled along, saw Clyde slumped against the steering wheel, and broke the car window with his flashlight. Fortunate too
