The One Who Stayed: My Mom and My Recovery

Well, the one person who always comes first in my thoughts when it comes to the very recovery process is my Mom.

She was far from perfect. None of us really is. But when I had my darkest days of addiction, spiralling downwards into full-blown self-destruction, she was a quiet beacon of light for me. I may not always have seen it back then, but there she was—unshaken, patient enough, and holding space for who I once was and had forgotten under the weight of addiction.
This story on a mother’s unwavering strength reminded me just how deeply a mother’s love can anchor us, even when we’re lost at sea.

The Quiet Strength

There were days she wept in silence behind closed doors. She spent nights hiding under the covers, pretending to snore so I wouldn’t notice the worry on her face. She smiled when her heart was breaking so unbearably. Yet somehow, through it all, she never gave up on me.

My mother made hard choices too—things I didn’t understand at the time. I used to take it as rejection. It dawned on me eventually that it was the greatest expression of love imaginable. It wasn’t some dramatic, tear-stained version of love. It was spiritual. It was belief—belief that I could find my way back. And when I finally did, it was her strength that helped me stand again.

“The Sober Mom’s Guide to Peace” opened my eyes to the hidden pain and resilience that mothers of those in recovery quietly carry.

In the rooms of recovery, I’ve encountered many others like me—down, broken, trying to stitch themselves back together. And I see that same mother figure over and over in their stories. Sarah’s mom came to every family meeting, even the one after Sarah had relapsed a third time. Jay would always say, “My mom prayed me sober.” We’d laugh off the line, but deep down, we all knew how true it was.
This reflection on the power of family love made me realize that sometimes, the people who love us carry us when we can’t carry ourselves.

Not everyone had a supportive mother in their life. Some found that mothering presence in sponsors, counselors, best friends, or even a friend’s mom who stepped in. That’s the beauty of recovery—we borrow strength from others until we can stand on our own.

Importance of Community

The community at In The Rooms became my second home. I read stories that reminded me of the life that came before me, and of the strength I came from. The Sober Mom’s Guide to Peace helped me understand what my mother went through. And A Letter to My Mom touched me so deeply, I had to send it to my own mother, accompanied by a note that read: “Thank you for loving me when I couldn’t love myself.”

To every mother out there holding space for someone in recovery—words will never be enough for you. And for anyone still healing, In The Rooms is a reminder that love—real, unconditional—never stops showing up.

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.