12/01/2025
Recovery Story for the Month of December:
My name is Jon S. My sobriety date is May 2, 2022. I have a home group, a sponsor, a higher power of my understanding. Having a safe, clean and comfortable environment, like the Ed Keating Center, gave me the perfect opportunity to apply the 12 steps of Alcoholic's Anonymous into my life.
I grew up in a troubled home and encountered a lot of loss in my early childhood. Having a feeling that I never belonged, making friends proved difficult to me. Throughout my adolescents, I could never seem to stick to any one thing. Whether it was sports, girls, school or anything requiring effort and time, I would always give up. The only thing I ever stuck with was chasing the feeling caused from alcohol and drugs. In my mind, I had found the keys to the city and had everything figured out while under the influence. Words could not reach me and no matter how badly I wronged or hurt someone, I would not abandon this feeling. Many years passed before I even had the idea that anything I was doing was wrong. Even after all the tears I caused, relationships ruined, loss of opportunities and everything else that comes with abusing alcohol and drugs, the only thing that mattered to me was chasing the next buzz. By the time I was able to see the ruin I was leaving behind me with my actions, I was so dependent on alcohol and drugs that getting sober felt like a far-off dream. Finally, when I no longer had any plays to make, I decided the only choice I had was to enter a detox facility and get some help. I planned on leaving detox after five days, thinking I would be 'cured'. Thankfully I was blessed enough to have a counselor that opened my eyes to the fact that I needed real help if I wanted a chance at staying sober. I was lucky enough to be recommended to the Ed Keating Center.
Without ever having any experience in AA or similar programs, I came into the EKC with all of my guards up and low expectations. Fortunately, I was able to surround myself with positive, friendly people and became quite comfortable a short time after arriving. After a little over a month went by I finally detoxed from everything I had in my body. Over the first month I began working on my 12 steps and began sharing things about myself in group. After getting to the 4th step my progress seemed to come to a halt. My body was feeling healthy again and I thought I had everything figured out. Luckily I had people around me really working on themselves and doing the right things. Being able to recognize that the work they were putting in on themselves seemed to make them more happy and pleasant to be around than I could ever imagine. This gave me the courage and strength to buckle down and really put in the work that had been suggested to me from AA. Throughout this process, I was able to see what an important role my higher power had played in my life and how continuing to build this relationship would benefit me and people around me in the future.
When I finally left the EKC, I had the tools and the support needed to live a successful sober lifestyle. The relationships built in the rooms in AA have been a staple to keeping my sobriety. Attending meetings and being of use to others in the program are important to me, so that I may not forget what it was like to be stuck in active addiction. With the help of AA, my higher power and the Ed Keating Center I have not had the need or desire to pick up a drink or a drug. Sure, not every day is perfect but it doesn't mean we need to drink over it. Today I am able to make decisions with a clear head and a clear conscience. Being able to make mature and responsible decisions today is such a blessing.
Thanks to the Ed Keating Center I was introduced to the people, places and things that have made it possible for my life and relationships to be changed in such a positive way. As long as I keep putting the work in.
Thank you.
