December 31, 2011
My 13th Sober Birthday
Today I celebrate 13 years of sobriety and Five Years From Now celebrates its third year in cyberspace. Five Years From Now’s commonsenserecovery.blogspot.com was nominated by CBS as “Los Angeles Most Valuable Blogger 2011” and I have made many great new friends in prevention and recovery. Speaking engagements on drug abuse education and recovery as well as drug policy have been welcome opportunities to pass on the message of recovery. I have been delighted to take part in print news and television programs about drug issues and was especially touched to be a repeat guest on the nation’s 6th largest radio show, Bill Bennett’s Moring in America. Inspired by feedback and friends, in 2012, Five Years From Now will be launching its own radio show for positive and light conversation, specifically geared towards people in recovery and those who make a difference for us.
13 years ago when I first got sober after a 13-year drug addiction, I wasn’t sure about where life would lead me. I was afraid, lost, had barely any friends left, no real job opportunities and felt I had little chance at the life I always dreamed of. Though I wanted many things, such as to become a lawyer, I had no idea how much work was required to get there. But eventually, as I gained more time in sobriety and discovered a career path that was right for me, the work began and it is starting to pay off. In six weeks I will be graduating from my two year Associates degree in Communications and from there I will be moving on to my bachelors for another two to three years; this of course depending on life and all of it’s twists and turns. After that, I plan to fulfill my lifelong dream of going to law school.
Today I know that my path is becoming more defined and I owe it all to my sobriety and the fellowship of people and friends who have lead me along the way to a fulfilling worthwhile life. It is exciting to know that the work I have done on my sobriety has earned me a second chance to do things right. Education was one of the main contributing factors to a healthier path in recovery. Now that I am finally celebrating my 13th year in recovery I am learning how to give my all to the one person who should have always mattered most. Me.
Alexandra