Today, as I celebrate my 4 year anniversary I thought I would share my before and after pic.
1st pic- active addiction. My health was very poor. I was skin and bones. We were getting evicted because I used our rent to buy drugs. I had destroyed all relationships once again with my family and friends. The pic was taken at 4:17 am when I was on a binge. I don’t even remember taking the pic but apparently I thought I was looking good . I was in the most toxic relationship and was always always unhappy and very sad and depressed. I couldn’t get ahold of my grief. I let it get the best of me. I fell so fast down that hole of self destruction. I remember the first rehab I went to the girls telling each relapse would get worse then the next. They weren’t kidding. My relapse was so bad that I was blacked out for 2 weeks and still to this day don’t remember a thing.
2nd pic-One month before my 4 year anniversary. Best 4 years of my life. I found my dream job in August of 2018 and have been promoted twice. I fixed my credit and was able to buy a new car for the first time in my life. Which was a big deal because I always had hand me down cars and dreamed of one day owning a nice vehicle. I’ve been present for all the good and bad that has happened and instead of drowning myself in drugs I work through my problems. I bought my very first home in September. I now have custody of my 3 nieces and 1 nephew. Something I would’ve ever thought I could do. I attend meetings every chance I get. My relationships are beyond amazing. I’ve bettered all of them. I have the trust and love of my family. I am now the person my family comes to when they need help. I am now proud of who I am. I still grieve my husband, daughter and sister but in a healthy way. This list goes on and on. Almost a year ago I found this app and it’s been one of the greatest tools I have in my sobriety box.
Please know we do recover. We all choose our paths. 4 years ago I changed mine forever!! I am not perfect I am far from it. But, I strive to be a better person every single day. My heart is full! Thank you all for taking the time to read.
Really proud of you for what you’ve accomplished since getting clean and sober. I hope all the newcomers read your story and realize we’re all worthy of a happy sober life no matter how bad our past was. Congratulations!
You’re such an inspiration to all of us! You look so much healthier on your last picture. And WOW, you were abusing alcohol and drugs four years ago (correct me if I read something into your post that wasnt really there…), And now you raise several kids? That might just be the greatest testamony of life change I’ve ever heard off. You wrote that you grieve your husband and some other family members. Did they die from substanse abuse or was drug your way of dealing with your loss?
Feel free not to share anymore information if you dont feel like it. I totally respect your decision either way.
Also I’ll let you know that I’ve prayed for the souls of your deseased loved ones. May they be granted eternal bliss in heaven.
I hope you know how much I love you and your spirit Patty. Because I do. Keep growing. Keep shining. Keep doing you. Thanks so much for sharing. Huge congrats. Love and hugs.
Oh.my.goodness, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude! It’s you amazing people that help keep me going. If my story can help one person, give one person hope, one person inspiration then I will continue to tell it. Thank you all so much.
@TimesSquare None of them died from addictions. I started using pills after my daughter died. I couldn’t handle the loss. I used pills for the longest time then they weren’t enough so I moved to heroin and thought I don’t shoot it so I wont overdose that was me giving myself an excuse that it wasn’t that bad I had it under control. Well my 1st relapse taught me otherwise. I overdosed and that was my wake up call. My kids needed me. There is so much more to it. I could write a book…lol. There are so many people here that are more then willing to talk when you need it. Oh yea, I do have guardianship of my nieces and nephew. My sisters Mental health is not well so I’ve had the kids for the last 4 months.
@Mno I am always so inspired by you. Thank you so much! Love and hugs my friend.
How encouraring Patty! I loved to read every word of it! Again congratulations!
You’ve earned your bettered life because you worked hard to get it! Respect!
What a wonderful post Patty, so inspiring and uplifting! Thank you for sharing! You have turned your life completely around and given yourself a chance to conquer the world. Nothing short of amazing! Have a happy, beautiful 4 year celebration next month!
You are a tremendous inspiration to all that people can change, addictions can be overcome and that big changes can be made one step at a time! Happy for you for living your best life and going forward! Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations! You saved your life! @Complicatedmama
. I was in the most toxic relationship and was always always unhappy and very sad and depressed. I couldn’t get ahold of my grief. I let it get the best of me. I fell so fast down that hole of self destruction. I remember the first rehab I went to the girls telling each relapse would get worse then the next. They weren’t kidding. My relapse was so bad that I was blacked out for 2 weeks and still to this day don’t remember a thing.
Congrats angel 
