Northwoods Recovery

It’s somewhat of an occupational hazard — and should serve as a major red flag, although it rarely ever does —  to see substance abusing companions suffer a drug overdose; far too often with fatal results. Whether intentional or by accident hardly matters; I myself nearly succumbed to the former, and I still will feel sick with shame to recall the deliberate pill overdose whose nightmare aftermath finally propelled me into this life-changing recovery. 

Once we’re past active addiction, all of us must begin to somehow deal with the self-harm done — emotional, certainly, but physical as well — with our substance use. And though sobriety will eventually repair much of the damage, it’s no magic cure, and someday we will find ourselves saying goodbye to loved ones whose ascent into recovery could not save them from an untimely end. 

Seeing my baby sister JoAnn — eight years my junior — grapple with opioid addiction was difficult enough. Like her six siblings, early childhood conditioning and our abusive alcoholic father pushed her toward becoming a substance abuser. With no sober role models to emulate, encouraged by example to engage in the toxic drug use and overprescribed meds that were a contributing factor in the deaths of two sisters, this month JoAnn joined them after a protracted battle with several chronic illnesses. 

Sixty-three when she passed, in recovery for 11 years, my sister was a proud mother and grandmother. Daughter Lindsey had her own struggles with opioid abuse — apparently inheriting our genetic predisposition to addiction — but she joined her mother and me in recovery seven years ago and is doing well in her own, telling me she couldn’t imagine how she’d be handling her mother’s passing if not for the self-awareness gained in years of rock solid sobriety. 

My sister’s victory over drug dependence and subsequent long-term recovery are only a very small part of the legacy left to the family that was her all. For years she fought desperately against the cancers consuming her, knowing full well she could not win this battle, and with grace and dignity demonstrated her extraordinary courage in the face of dire adversity. 

 In passing she leaves behind an empty space that can not be filled; to say she will be deeply missed, a massive understatement. 

With her life, JoAnn proved every day the self-evident truth to which Lindsey and I continue to share an unwavering commitment: We do recover   

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