There was a time when waking up felt like the hardest part of my day. I went on for years doing drugs and drinking, while all the while withdrawing myself from my family, friends, and the general world around me. My story is not rare but it is real, and I share it now in hopes that it may resonate with someone else trying to find hope in the dark.
My journey into recovery started with a shaky phone call to a friend who had walked the path before me, and the call got me to my first meeting. I remember crossing my arms in that room, feeling completely out-of-place, but there was something in the air—something unspoken that helped me feel I wasn’t the only one.
The ability to confide in others about my struggles came with time. The courage I found from hearing about others’ recovery experiences was huge. But joining the In The Rooms community really accelerated my growth. There had been a stretch of days when I was caught between going to in-person meetings and isolating myself. In The Rooms, however, I found full-time support from people worldwide who really understood where I had been. Whether it was attending live online meetings or just reading through posts, I felt connected.
Recovery did not occur overnight. There were relapses, there were moments of doubt, and there were days when it felt like it was impossible to stay sober. But I kept showing up, whether in-person or via In The Rooms. Gradually, with the assistance from the sobriety community, therapy, journaling, and walking in nature, I began to feel better.
These days I wake up grateful. I have rekindled a few relationships that I had thought would never survive. It feels both like a gift and a responsibility to share my recovery journey.
If you’re not quite sure if you’ll make it, know one thing: It is possible for you to recover and one day at a time, one step at a time.
Editor’s Note: If you’re looking for more support, inspiration, or stories that speak to your recovery experience, we invite you to explore our Blogs & Articles section. Stay connected with the In The Rooms community on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and twitter for daily encouragement, real voices, and reminders that healing happens one moment at a time.
