Northwoods Recovery

Getting on in years occasionally brings an unexpected reward; I ran into some old workplace friends not seen in a very long time, and they seemed genuinely pleased to see me. Deeply gratifying, especially considering how much grief I once caused them.

Seeing old amigos again where I hadn’t worked in 14 years was an opportunity to recall those incredible moments in my final days in active addiction, standing at the threshold of recovery with my life literally hanging in the balance. I desperately needed their support then and gratefully welcome it back now. This reunion was a reminder of the vital role those supportive friends played in dragging me out of active addiction and into recovery; and not incidentally, saving me from the lethal consequences of drug-induced stupidity. 

A solid support group is the largest segment of every good recovery. But this group of support people — and our boss Colette in particular — were at the time unaware they were supporting and encouraging my transition from out-of-control substance abuse to recovery. To this day Colette does not understand that it was her timely intervention in my near-fatal overdose that saw me taken to the psych ward, where, forced to confront my addiction, I could begin my recovery from it. Because of her quick actions that day Colette is owed a debt of gratitude I can never repay. 

Beyond question I owe her my life, this good life I’ve had for all these amazing years in recovery.  

 I’d be surprised if my fellow recovering addicts living here didn’t have similar stories to tell of Northwoods friends and neighbors supporting them in that critical time between substance abuse and recovery. This is not only what we as a community do but what we are; a community deeply concerned with the well-being of individual Northwoods residents, because we count on each other to be here for each other. That is the heart and soul of Northwoods culture. 

I never would have guessed I’d find myself cooking in a country club kitchen again, but Colette asked for help and I’m grateful for the chance to begin repaying her in a small way. I see this as an opportunity to renew relationships with my original support group, the people who knew me in the depths of addiction and still cared; standing by me and trading high fives as I showed them how we do recover.

Do you think you may have a problem with alcohol? Alcoholics Anonymous can help. Call the AA hotline at 715-360-4637 or visit  www.northwoodsaa.org for questions or to find a meeting in your area.