Laura T.’s Story

• 2020: Impact of Recovery

How has recovery impacted your life?

My name is Laura T, and I hung my cup at Valley Hope in November of 2005 at the young age of 21. I sort of followed my discharge plan, but not completely. I’d like to say that I maintained sobriety after discharge but that wouldn’t be honest. At that time, I conceded that I was a drug addict, but I couldn’t accept that I was an alcoholic. I did a little more “research” as they say, which included failed attempts to control it and visits to psychiatrists and counselors without the use of the 12-steps. After about 2.5 years of using these methods followed by an emotional bottom and the termination of a long-term relationship, I went to an AA meeting around the corner from my apartment. This was a popular meeting hall I learned about during my time at Valley Hope. I have stayed sober since attending that meeting. It became my homegroup, and I’m still friends with many people from that meeting hall today. My sobriety date is March 26, 2008. Since my sobriety birthday there have been a lot of ups and downs, but mostly ups. I have experienced a lot of emotional turmoil, but I learned from these experiences how to cope with life without drugs and alcohol. I’ve made so many lifelong friends, but I’ve also lost some friends to overdoses. Since I’ve been sober: I bought a condominium and a sports car; I earned a master’s degree and a doctorate; and I gave birth to an exquisite daughter whom has never seen me loaded. Those are just the material things, although I know a lot of people see these as selling points of sobriety, so I do mention them to sponsees. However more important things I’ve derived from sobriety are that I’ve learned to rely on a higher power. I’ve also learned that sobriety is about taking the good with the bad. It is so empowering to be able to cope with life without drinking and using. I know that I can get through anything with the support of my higher power and my sober comrades. Thank you for letting me share.