Recovery Stories

Stories of Hope, Help and Healing

GH_RS_7373879 More than 23 million people in the U.S. are addicted to alcohol and drugs.

But, we estimate that 20 million individuals and family members are living lives in long-term recovery.

THERE IS HOPE

For some, help came from a call to NCADD, from an NCADD Affiliate, an addiction professional, a family member, an employer, a clergyman, a judge, a physician, a co-worker, a friend, an intervention or someone living in long-term recovery.

THERE IS HELP

Most importantly, because of long-term recovery, people have been able to live a life free of alcohol and drugs and it has given them new purpose and hope for the future, while gaining stability in a life beyond their expectations, full of family, friends and career.

THERE IS HEALING

Please read these first-hand stories – you will learn about the Power of Hope, Help and Healing.

Lauren’s Story: “When There’s No Sky Left”

There is a moment of sweet tension as I hold the glass in my hand. The fumes rise to my nose, rich with heather and peat. The color is golden promise. I raise the glass to my lips. I drink. Molten honey in the gut. A nearly inaudible click in the back of my head somewhere. Something begins to flow from my belly to my fingertips. The mind becomes soft and fluid. Images appear. I drink more. Emotions rise to the surface and crystallize. I am feeling deeply now, deeper than I do without the booze. I am seeing the truth of things. I can peer from the peak down into the core. The landscape of the page becomes languid and it seems possible, at last, to get what appears in my head down onto the page accurately, precisely, and completely. I drink more. I begin to write. I write frantically,

Mark’s Story: “The First Drink”

When I was 13, my world of innocence ended, not with a whisper but with a bang. Hope would wait a long time. My smile waited too. I needed to weep. I couldn't. The teacher got me drunk and raped me. It was the night of my first drink.

A woman in the rooms of Alcoholic Anonymous shared that her brother threw himself in front of a train. Killed instantly. Her brother was sexually abused. The abuse happened in the rectory. The Roman Catholic pastor abused him and the other altar boys who were around at the time.

Roger’s Story: “Connected and Committed”

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"Tom, I need a private word with you." "Sure Roger, no problem, what do you want to talk about." "Well, a few things, let's take a walk." "OK, sounds good." "First of all, Tom, thank you for helping to arrange this treatment center ....for me....you're a wise counselor...the facility is great, the professionals are well trained, the curriculum is good, the time is even well organized." "Roger, glad you like it."