Day Job:
Yoga teacher, waitress, life coach, blogger at sober-bia.blogspot.com

What I lost to addiction:
Many, many years of growth and living. My self-respect, my integrity, my peace.

At my worst, I was:
Drinking and blacking out every time.

What worked for me:
Surrender. As soon as I surrendered to the thought that I was an alcoholic, that as long as I drank my life would be a mess, I was able to see clearly for the first time what drinking meant TO and FOR my life.

I did a lot of writing and a lot of yoga and found a pen pal I kept in touch with daily.

Favorite recovery quote:
“Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be” ~ Clementine Paddleford

Advice to my younger self:
When you get afraid that drinking is a big problem, listen. Listen HARD.

Rules I live by:
I am sober forever. The oxygen mask goes on me first. There is power in pausing. I don’t have time to rush. The things that make me the most anxious are the things I could say “yes” to. Pay attention to fear.

On my schedule today:
Today I’ll do some coaching practice, go to one of my favorite yoga classes, and remember to breathe. I take care of my recovery by remembering how valuable it is to me: without it, this life I live now does not exist.

Best advice for newbies:
Get all the booze out of the house. Find a special treat drink to replace the booze – I drank seltzer and fresh grapefruit juice out of my favorite wine glass. . . get fancy hot teas, a beautiful cup to drink it out of. Read sober memoirs and blogs — find someone to connect with, whether it’s through those things or with AA. Never underestimate the value of “me too.”

What I value most in recovery:
My integrity. I say what I mean and I mean what I say – I am capable and reliable. I also value the support of my family and my community.

Proudest moment:
The moment I wake up sober each day is my proudest moment.

What saves me from myself:
I offer up the same compassion and understanding I have for others to myself. I remember to be hugely grateful for the strength and courage I have daily. When I’m feeling really critical toward myself, I think of myself as a little girl looking for comfort and it makes it easier to console and shore myself up.

On finding purpose:
It feels so mind glowingly good to have reasons to be alive and functioning at a high level each day. I relish the opportunity to challenge myself and even when I’m cranky and frustrated, my sobriety holds it together. My purpose (sharing my sobriety, helping others, sharing compassion and kindness) is a daily gift.

SHED THE STIGMA:
If you’re a person in long-term recovery who wants to share your
insights, please contact us at [email protected].