Addiction recovery isn’t a straight line—it’s a series of awakenings.
For me, it began in a courtroom. Court-mandated classes. AA meetings. The boxes I had to check to prove that I was trying. I understand that AA saves lives and helps countless people find community and accountability. But it didn’t work for me.

I remember sitting in those meetings, still drinking every day, still numbing. I wasn’t ready to stop. The idea of a life without alcohol felt impossible. Who would I be at the pool? At a party? On a dance floor? Sobriety sounded like boredom—like losing my identity.

But the truth was, alcohol had already stolen my peace.

My turning point came through Dry January—a “temporary challenge” that turned into transformation. I didn’t quit drinking forever; I simply decided not to drink today. That mindset shift changed everything. My body adjusted first, then my mind, then my spirit. I realized I didn’t need alcohol to be fun, interesting, or alive.

Now, years later, I don’t drink because it doesn’t align with my top value: peace.
Recovery for me wasn’t about replacing one addiction with another—it was about reclaiming my power to choose.

If AA, therapy, community, or mindfulness helps you, embrace it. Recovery looks different for everyone. But I hope you find what I found: the strength to choose peace over punishment, and presence over numbness.

May we learn and grow.
Please prioritize self-care and mindfulness.

All my love,
AbFabNerd