Young and Sober

I was approached by a friend from my home group a while back about writing an article on getting sober young.

When I was 18 a nurse at a mental hospital told me I was an alcoholic.

The silence in the car was palpable. I held my breath. The only thing going through my head was the phrase, “… except when to do so would injure them or others.” This was a big mistake.

I often wonder if my experience, strength and hope actually touches someone. It’s hard to tell sometimes. But here are a few examples I won’t forget.

I never imagined I’d identify as an alcoholic, nor did I consider that one day I would proudly identify as a gay woman. In my mind, individuals of this type had a very specific look.

I haven’t had a sponsor since Big Bill passed over a year ago. With 44 years of sobriety, it doesn’t feel as urgent to have a sponsor anymore. But I still get uncomfortable sometimes.