As we come to the end of National Recovery Month, I wanted to share how I got into recovery. This photo was taken in July 2007 after dinner. Looking at it, I can tell that I’ve had lots to drink. My face is puffy and my cheeks a little red.
The thing is we don’t know what’s going on in the inside for another person. Others that night probably didn’t even know I was drunk. I wasn’t yet ready to concede defeat to my alcoholism then, but the journey to recovery had started, even if I didn’t know it.
The next month, on my 50th birthday, I had my first all-day session with entrepreneurial coach Kevin Lawrence. That started an 18-month journey where, with Kevin’s help, we cleared off all the crap that was standing in the way of me moving forward in life. All that was left was the proverbial elephant in the room—my alcoholism.
On January 27, 2009, Kevin and I had a coaching session where the topic I put on the table was “my drinking too much.” Up to this point Kevin had no idea I had a problem with alcohol—I was expert at hiding it from him, myself, and everyone else.
I believe that the universe put Kevin in my path so that I could heal. Over the years, Kevin had made friends with people with long-term sobriety in 12-step recovery. While I had an aversion to the best-known 12-step recovery program, Kevin, with what he had learned from his friends, coached me to go to a 12-step meeting before the end of the week.
Being the overachiever that I am, I went to a meeting that night. When the chairperson asked “Is there anyone new to the program?” I stood up and said “I’m David and I’m an alcoholic.” For the first time I was no longer in denial. I finally had a chance to overcome my alcoholism.
I stuck around. That Tuesday night meeting became my home group and continues to be today. I got hooked up with others with long-term sobriety. Went to meetings with them. Worked the steps of 12-step recovery. Now, twelve years later I continue to stay sober while sharing my experience, strength, and hope.
For too long I tried to do it alone. Now I know that reaching out was the best thing I could have done for myself and my alcoholism. Alcohol is one of the most powerful drugs in the world. If you think you have a problem with it, know that there are many of us who understand. Reach out today.
