23/01/2024
I read Matthew Perry’s memoir…it’s truly a sad story knowing his true ending after the book’s ending. I’m a person in long term recovery from substance use disorder. I feel that happiness & fulfillment is an inside job. For me no amount of alcohol, drugs, prescriptions, treatments, relationships were going to fix my abandonment issues, anxiety, depression, feeling like I wasn’t enough. The life I have now started with admitting I had a problem and choosing to do something about it. Once I made that choice - I accepted that I have substance use disorder and I accepted I am responsible for myself. I became 100 percent willing and ALL IN to work a 12 step program of recovery.
I got a sponsor, attended meetings, worked the steps, started to develop a relationship with a higher power, did things for others with no expectation of anything in return and my life started to get better. I started to feel better.
I started to work out, take vitamins, drink water and continued to take action in my own life.
During this time hard things happened…that I had no control over. But having a drink or drug was no longer my solution instead I found the answer in continuing to follow my passion of photography and found my purpose. I started helping other alcoholics/addicts with my experience, strength and hope.
I make a daily choice to stay in the solution. Some days are easier than others but I know what to do when good things happen and when bad things happen. It is up to me. I love myself and my life today. “It works if you work it”.