"Take My Advice" by Mike Koelnych

Once you start going to meetings, finding a sponsor, start working the steps, things will get better. You'll find a new sense of freedom, freedom from the restraining effect drugs and alcohol had on you. It won't be easy, but it'll be worth it. I can't tell you how to work your own program but take my advice, work it to the best of your ability. Reach out if you're struggling, people WILL pick up the phone. Get those numbers from people in meetings. Call me, fuck it. I don't care what time it is, 4pm or 4am. People have and I pick up the phone. Because I was there. I needed help. And people talked me through it. There will be days you wanna drink or use but you don't have to. You don't have to go back to the hell you were dragging yourself through. Just take it one day at a time. No matter what happens in your day, you get fired from your job, break your arm, your girlfriend leaves you, car breaks down, etc, as long as you don't pick up a drink or drug your day is a complete success. The program works if you work it. If you can stop drinking or drugging without the help of AA or NA, that's great, more power to you. But I'll guarantee you won't make the personal changes needed to be a completely different person. By working the program you open yourself up to a whole new way of living life. I can't tell you what will work for you but I can tell you what WON'T work. Just take my advice.