About Me

My journey with alcohol began at the age of 13 when I took my first drink and immediately sensed the potential for trouble. Over the next three decades, alcohol became a constant companion by offering me an escape from the inhibitions that held me back and providing a way to connect with others. Throughout my teens, 20s, 30s, and even into my 40s, I depended on alcohol not only as a social lubricant but also as a coping mechanism to numb the pain I experienced following my mother's death when I was 25.

Despite the increasing consequences and personal turmoil, including an encounter with the law and worsening health issues in my late 30s and early 40s, I found myself unable to break free from alcohol. Each promise to quit drinking was overshadowed by the fear of facing life without it. However, as my physical and mental health continued to deteriorate, I reached a significant point where I realized that alcohol was no longer serving me—it was destroying me. Yet, during this time of extreme sadness and suffering, there was some hope driven by the desire to escape the cycle and create a brighter future for myself and my family. I could not stand the thought of passing down a legacy of addiction and pain to my children and grandchildren. By confronting my alcohol use disorder and choosing to prioritize my mental and physical well-being, I took the first steps towards rewriting the story of my life and leaving behind a legacy of resilience, strength, inspiration, and hope for my family.

After decades of both hating and loving alcohol, I decided I had to do whatever it took to remove alcohol from my life. In doing so, I not only freed myself from the physical and emotional burden of my alcohol use disorder but also reclaimed my health and began to experience true joy and happiness which I had never experienced before becoming sober. It has been a long and trying journey, filled with numerous attempts at sobriety and countless "day ones," but through perseverance and determination, I have finally reached a significant milestone- I am proud to say that I have been free from all substances for over three years now!

A little over a year into my sobriety, I faced the most devastating and heartbreaking event of my life: the loss of my second daughter, Jordan, who was also the mother to my grandchildren, in an alcohol-related vehicle accident. Despite the overwhelming grief and pain, I chose to stay committed to my journey of sobriety, as I knew it would not help my family and me one bit if I were to drink, and I asked the two sober people that I knew not to allow me to drink during this time, no matter what. In the early days of my grief, my two friends did a wonderful job of constantly checking in with me to make sure I was ok and did not drink. With the support of my children, friends, Great Pyrenees Dae, a newfound self-love obtained from the previous year of sobriety and recovery, and the occasional AA meeting, I found the strength to make it through the immense grief following her death without alcohol. Though the pain of losing my daughter will be forever, I am grateful for the resilience I discovered within myself during this time.

As I keep moving forward on my path of sobriety and recovery, my commitment to inspiring and helping others navigate grief while struggling with a substance use disorder remains a personal priority. Since I have been there myself, I know how hard it can be and I want to be someone others can look to for support and encouragement and lean on when they feel lost or overwhelmed- this is my purpose in this life.

With Love,

Andrea