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Marion's Recovery Story

Alcohol Was My Security Blanket

From Marion, for About.com

Created: February 07, 2007

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Today, I reached a personal milestone: One year of continuous sobriety. I credit this to the fellowship of AA and the new found friendships I developed. It gave me the ability to get through the many trial and tribulations over the past year and not pick up a drink.

Running Away From Problems

For many years alcohol was my security blanket and the source of many of my fears, misfortunes and poor choices. Letting go was scary but it was the only choice if I wanted to live. I was difficult because I had to live life sober because running away from my problems and hiding at the bottom of a bottle had been my way of coping in the past. I still find real life disappointments to be difficult. Today I turn them over to my higher power for guidance.

When I was drinking I would use alcohol to avoid the things I didn't want to deal with or accept. I would wallow in the past with my memories and my bottle or I would fantasize about a future I could never realize unless I let go of the alcohol completely.

Alone But All Together

Today I have a life I truly value so I want to live it fully. What has worked for me is living life one day at a time, turning my life and my will over to my higher power and attending AA meeting as often as possible. I realize there are others out there on the same journey I am on. We are all somehow joined. Alone but all together.

Wow! 365 days that I have been sober. I can remember each day, the good moments and the painful ones all without the haze, guilt or shame of alcohol. The future is mine too. Sober, healthy and free.

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