be grateful

For those of you that actually know me and don't just read the blog, know that I came from a very normal family and went through very normal things growing up. However, being loved and surrounded by positive things is not a failsafe for staying on the right track.

I will not go into details in this forum because no one needs to hear them, but lets just say there was a period of my adolescence where I tested the limits. It took a teenage pregnancy and a whole lot of personal strength to overcome my demons.

I'm going on a decade of the, "straight and narrow" and I make a choice everyday to stay this way. For any of you that are personally addicts, recovering addicts or have a friend or a family member that has dealt with any kind of addiction you know first hand that life is no longer easy.

So many people judge others. One of the things that I despise hearing from people is, "Why don't they just quit? It's simple." All that I have to say to that comment is, "Don't attempt to understand something you have never experienced." If any addict could just STOP, believe me they would. An addiction is about so much more then the substance you choose to abuse. It is about the person that it makes you, the decisions that you make, the judgment that you have and more importantly the way you currently feel about yourself. Quitting is scary because it takes away the one thing you think you know and can control.

This is a part of my life that I don't usually delve into, especially in a public format but I was recently made aware of a situation that makes me wonder if I had been more open if I could have helped someone else. For the person that this is about, know that I love you and I am here for you when you are ready to talk, I won't judge, I won't argue, I will just listen.

For the people reading this, if you know someone that you think needs help or has a problem and is ready to deal with it try to listen to them and point them in the right direction. These things are not easy to do alone, but they can be done. Every addict is different. there is not a "one size fits all" approach that will work across the board. But there are so many options available to meet each person at a level that they are comfortable with. If anyone needs helping finding a place to start please comment on the blog and I will be happy to help you.

We only get once chance at this life and it can be taken from us in an instant. I am here to tell you that life is worth living but getting back to a place where you can enjoy life is the first step. Recovery is a long road, full of obstacles and victories. Every day sober is a win. Be grateful for the life we have been given and never stop pushing to be better than you are right now.

I'll never forget the things that have made me who I am today. Remembering where I have come from keeps me motivated to help change what could be a different ending for someone else.