Success in Sobriety

The speaker at yesterday's 12-step meeting had been sober over 15 years and his story kept everyone’s attention.

He’d lost nearly every job he’d ever had. He’d been kicked of schools and out of the military. He’d never accomplished much in life until he found the rooms. Then life changed.

Since most of those at the meeting lived in halfway houses his story had special meeting because that’s where he also started his recovery.

He told a story that even those with only a few days sober could understand. When first at the halfway house he fought the rules. He didn’t understand why he had to attend meetings. He thought everything in the world was about him and what he wanted.

The longer he stayed sober, though, the more he saw the purpose of rules. He experienced a breakthrough when a manager went out of  his way to show him kindness and understanding.

Today he maintains sobriety by attending meetings and giving back. Besides working, he conducts a weekly meeting spiritual meeting at the halfway house where he got his start.

He calls it the “coolest thing I ever did.”