Recovery Works

September is National Recovery Month. It is in the sprit of Addiction Recovery that I will share my personal story. Like many in recovery from addiction I started my journey with very little enthusiasm. I had run out of excuses for my Alcoholic behavior. I was 23 years old at the time and had been drinking on a weekly basis since I was fifteen. I was married at the age of 21 and my oldest son was born in 1968. I had a study job and supported my family while drinking most weekends starting with Friday night and quitting by Sunday noon so I could recover for work on Mondays.

During this two-year period my drinking progressed to the point of being disgusted with myself, but I couldn’t seem to stop. After a bad three day drunk my father-in-law suggested that I should look into a 12-step program for alcoholics. I needed to get off the hook so I agreed to go to a meeting and he volunteered to find one for me. I didn’t think recovery was possible and I had never heard of a 12-step program but I decided to go just the same. I was in and out of that program for the next four and one half years due to my many relapses.

By the age of 27 the progression of alcoholism set in and the responsibilities of life mounted with two more children to support. My drinking seemed to be the only way to cope with life. The fact was it took away my ability to cope. By this point in my life I had become a daily drinker and refused to face the fact that I could not control my drinking. Over the next six months I was drunk most of the time; with the last drunk being for 34 straight days. My life was a mess. I was separated from my wife and children, facing a divorce, living with a drinking buddy, and I had quit a good job after eight and a half years. I felt like I was going to die or go insane if I didn’t get help. This is the sad part that everyone knows and talks about when addiction is mentioned. However, addiction does not deserve to have the last word. Recovery Does!

Recovery in all to many cases is taking the back seat publicly to the various sad stories of addiction and the dysfunction it brings to individuals and their families. My story is just one example of many.

The above mentioned 34 day drunk was my last one. I went back to the 12 step program and made it a point to do all that was suggested to stay sober. That was 32 years ago and I have not had a drink since. I have lived in New Egypt for most of my life and that is where I did most of my drinking. My life has turned completely around over the last 32 years. I am a Licenced Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

I was instrumental in starting the first 12-step group in new Egypt and at the current time we have five active groups in town. The mention of this fact is to show that Recovery Works. It works through the many recovering people that started these groups and keep them going. I am also a member of the Plumsted Township Juvenile Conference Committee. I am active in Friends of Addiction Recovery N.J.. A grass roots organization in it’s fifth year of making Recovery visible. I have been chairman of The Plumsted Alcohol and Drug Alliance for the past twelve years.

In closing this letter I want to make it very clear that it is only my story; it is not about me. It is about Recovery and what it looks like. Far to many people focus only on the addictions and what they bring to society without realizing that Recovery Works and should be in the forefront. This would bring about more recovering people, and hope to those who need it the most.

Sincerely,

Jim Hendrickson

Recovering Person