Author: Dennis W.

When I began my journey in recovery I truly thought that it couldn’t last for me. I had all the doubt and none of the faith.

The only proof I had that it would work was those around me who were staying clean and sober.

They encouraged me to not drink just for today. They told me to go to meetings.

I did. It worked. It still works.

I witnessed one of those people celebrate 55 years of sobriety last night.

If it works for him it can work for me.

God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.

I often write about my journey. 

My hope is to help someone else understand their own journey by identifying with mine.

I could write a lot about the really bad parts of my journey. I don’t think that provides much hope.

I prefer to share about the really good parts of my story because it is where my path has taken me.

This is where my faith in God’s Power has taken me.

God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.

When I was physically dependent on substances, I had to drink or use. I had no choice because every decision was made under the influence of a substance.

After a period of time away from the substances, the physical compulsion was lifted and I was able to think more clearly.

Now, every day I have a choice either to try to find comfort in the substances or in God.

The choice is mine. I choose God.

God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.

My substance abuse progression took time. It started out slowly but eventually became a dominant factor in my existence.

My recovery progression takes time. It also started out slowly but eventually has become a dominant factor in my existence.

I have eventually become happier living clean and sober.

Same person. Two distinct lives.

God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.

I am Blessed to have experienced and to have witnessed the miracle of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Early days, months, and even years in recovery seem impossible because life doesn’t slow down to accommodate us. 

We have to learn how to deal with life “on life’s terms” without the escape of substance abuse.

It’s really hard. Most of us give up and give in.

Those who make it celebrate it. 

We recognize the miracles in each other’s lives.

Thank God for God.

God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.

I should listen to my soul.

My soul tells me when my thoughts are wrong.

My soul tells me when my actions are wrong.

My soul finds comfort when I seek God.

My soul is calm when I keep God in my mind.

God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.

Sometimes I get lost and I won’t admit it or acknowledge it.

Pride, shame, and ego tell me that I have to figure things out on my own, so I keep my head down.

Then, out of nowhere, I catch a break and I find my way. I find something that I hadn’t seen before or something just clicks.

Perhaps God was trying to get my attention all along. I was just too self-absorbed to notice.

God has been doing for me what I could never do for myself.

God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.

Perhaps the reason I was never ok was that my soul was yearning for a divine connection. 

It was not a conscious yearning but one that manifested itself in restlessness, irritability, and discontent.

Perhaps all alcoholics and addicts are just yearning for a divine soul connection.

I traveled the road of alcohol and drug abuse trying to soothe that yearning. That road brought me to my knees in desperation.

I was led to find the divine soul connection for which I yearned.

I believe that my path was set by God to bring me to this place. My soul is at peace.

God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.

Many people think that time away from alcohol and drugs is the answer to recovery.

Time only ages things.

My alcoholism never goes away, no matter how long I have gone without using.

If I don’t seek God’s Help and surrender to His Will, my chances of long-term recovery are slim.

God is the answer.

God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.

I hate feeling rushed. When the world rushes me I get irritated. When I get irritated I become unpleasant.

I need to remember that not everything will get done at once. 

First, I need to pray and ask for God’s Help.

I’ll start there.

God, please help me to be ok today. Thank You. Amen.