In the hospital I was given a big book and after detoxing was sent to an out patient program. There was one woman there at the hospital that was wise enough to see that I could use some Al-anon help and suggested that I read the book "Keeping Secrets" by Susan Somers. It was easier to read than the big book so I read it with delight. Here was someone who spoke my language. She wrote about the abusive relationship she grew up with in her family. I'm not going to go into the stuff that happened to me at home but will say that I was a time bomb ticking to go off on some poor person because I could not face the things that had happened to me when I was a child. Three doctors and another hospital stay later, I went to my first Adult Children of Alcoholics meeting. I still could not or would not admit I had a drinking problem. How could I if dad drank more than me! Al-anon taught me to keep the focus on myself and not on the alcoholic. I also would go to Al-anon meetings and the ladies with drinking husbands would unknowingly take my inventory. I would listen to how their hubbies would abuse them and I'd think to myself that sure sounds like my past relationships. I finally ended up going to A.A. meetings in the hope to find a sponsor who was really working the steps of A.A.. From that point on my life has changed completely. I stayed sober for three and a half years and decided to try some controlled drinking like the big book suggested. I went to the bar and drank a few drinks and the police started to control my drinking for me. I ended up in jail after 3 beers, thank God, for I got very violent. Now I am completely convinced that I belong in A.A.! I have been sober now since July 15, 1993, even though I lived on the streets for 6 years I praise God that he kept me sober through it all! I have a very good relationship with God for I truely have come to know his voice and although I am not much like a sheep, I do follow his instructions to the best of my ability. Here is a link to a story from the Cincinnati Enquirer telling my story!
I have in the past 4 years been working for a company called Recovery Network as a computer technician. I had a social worker reach out and help me sign up for HUD housing. So I have made it off the streets after 6 long years.