While relaxing at a birthday party yesterday I realized the majority of the guests were in recovery – most of them TLC management and their families. The sobriety ranged from a few years to over 22 years. There were even babies in the room, being raised by sober parents. And there was one TLC graduate who's expecting later this summer.
What came to mind is that they are examples of what TLC does for addicts who want change. To anyone unacquainted with these people they would seem like ordinary middle-class members of the community. All have jobs. They have homes. They pay taxes. Raising kids, just like other ordinary citizens. Talking about recipes or movies or fitness.
It probably meant more to me than it would to a casual observer because I know this group well.
Most of the men had been incarcerated. A few had lived on the streets. Some had sold drugs. They had virtually nothing when they arrived. No money or jobs. Some had only the clothes on their backs. No car. Or cell phone. Alienated from family. Then they got clean and sober. And things changed.
It’s great to talk about recovery. It’s even better to see it in action.
