April 27, 2023 at 11:12 a.m.
Northwoods Recovery: Sharing the journey
By Jeff Frye-
Living here, surrounded by pristine lakes and forests - and a community-wide support group - I feel blessed to be recovering from drug addiction in the Northwoods. Renewed with every sunrise, and truly a gift of recovery.
Just recently a call came in, requesting that I give a talk to a group here new to recovery and seeking direction, now that they'd made that life-changing decision favoring sobriety for their new lifestyle. The date was already going to be busy so it will be a squeeze, but I can't turn down such requests. Recovery obligates us to share the journey, so that no one need ever feel they're facing the challenges alone.
Living in recovery is an experience wholly different from my initial perceptions. At first I was given to think recovery a series of near-impossible tasks - the Twelve (giant) Steps - and accomplishing one seemed only to lead to the next difficult task. Getting clean from drugs appeared easy by comparison. Not only was I now required to learn how to live without doping, but while doing so have to come up with the ways and means to make amends for 40 years of drug-induced emotional mayhem. All while keeping a daily inventory of my frequent missteps. This for a person whose default response to challenging situations had always come in a handful of pills or well-packed pot pipe. I felt woefully unequipped to utilize sobriety's gifts.
But while my recovery was developing, I began to experience emotions long repressed by substance abuse, and from those came something new to me: an abiding sense of gratitude. Finding joy in the simple pleasures that spring from living life sober and straight, one day at a time, was a revelation; and after the turbulence of addiction brought a measure of peace previously unknown. I was learning to allow life and my supportive friends to guide my recovery journey. And I was eager to share this newfound wisdom. The talks I'm asked to give, participation in fellowship meetings, occasional texts and phone calls from advice seekers all benefit me as much as anyone else. Fulfilling the obligation to share our recovery experiences is not only personally gratifying but also consistently rewarding.
If my recovery stories can touch just one person, give hope to a single fellow addict for a life clean and sober, I'll be well satisfied, and find comfort in again learning that we do recover.
Do you think you may have a problem with alcohol?
Alcoholics Anonymous can help. Call our hotline at (715)360-4637 or visit our website at www.northwoodsaa.org for questions or to find a meeting in your area.
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