Story 1

Date: September 9th, 2015
Growing up, I believed my life was as normal as any other kid's. I had seen people drink. I’d even heard of professionals being "recovered alcoholics.” So, when I began dating the person I would later marry, I didn't think anything about his claim as an alcoholic. He couldn't be worse than my last boyfriend who beat me up in the middle of a drunk.

It started in binges and progressed to a daily "necessity." I tried to cover up embarrassing moments by pretending they didn't happen, making excuses, getting angry, crying, throwing fits, and even laughing it off. I tried to talk him out of drinking completely, not having that next drink, not driving, not driving with our children, letting me drive, and on and on. I believed if I could control him and his drinking, our lives could be "normal." I tried to fill my “emptiness” with church, self-help books, different work, new friends, cars, shopping, and more. If he would change, I could feel better.

I finally found recovery through a 12-Step meeting with people like me, affected by someone else’s drinking. I realized I had to focus on me instead of the alcoholic. I’d never done that before and believed my needs weren’t as important; helping others was a good thing. I didn’t realize I was “helping the alcoholic to death,” literally.

Today, my life is less chaotic. I’ve learned how to “live life on life’s terms.” Nothing is ever perfect, but I recognize it, and it’s ok. I continue attending the meetings for maintenance, like changing the oil in my car. I need it to continue living serene. 
-Anonymous Member 
Even though I grew up with a happy family, I was introduced to alcohol at age 10. In my early teens, drinking seemed to be a lot fun. In my later teens, I started using Meth to counteract the effects of the alcohol. I maintained this lifestyle for approximately 27 years. Life began to be unmanageable, and I experienced job loss, health problems and mental anguish. Even when I didn’t want to drink, I found myself drinking. I began attending 12-Step meetings to see if they could help me. I heard many stories that matched my life. I kept going to meetings, but I kept getting drunk. When this became unbearable, I asked a member to sponsor me. We read the book together and talked about what we read. I began to understand my dilemma with alcohol. My sponsor went through the steps thoroughly, and I kept in touch with him daily. By the time I’d been sober for 9 months, I realized my craving for alcohol had been removed. I continued meeting with my sponsor weekly and attending 12-Step meetings. Over the years, I have found that by working with other alcoholics, my life seems easier. 
-Anonymous Member 
The 12-24 Club has been a convenient place for us to continue our recovery through 12-Step meetings and “sponsor rooms.” We can find meetings for us both at the same time or at different times. 
-Both Anonymous Members 

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