Terri S.: A Journey from Chaos to 18 Years of Sobriety
I had to be rid of self, otherwise it would kill me.
Terri S.'s story is a powerful testament to resilience and the transformative power of sobriety. Growing up in a Brooklyn apartment with an alcoholic father and a mother suffering from Crohn's disease, Terri's early life was far from easy. At just six years old, she overdosed on pain medication, marking the beginning of a tumultuous relationship with drugs and alcohol.
By her teens, she was already using substances to escape the harsh realities of her home life, and this continued into her twenties where she became a functional alcoholic, seemingly managing her life but slowly spiraling downward. In her early forties, Terri faced a turning point. Her addictions threatened to cost her both her marriage and her job. It was then that she made the crucial decision to seek help through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
In this episode of 'AA Recovery Interviews', Terri opens up about the challenges she faced and the steps she took to turn her life around. Terri discusses the importance of finding a supportive home group within AA and the impact of working through the 12 steps. She also shares how being of service to others has played a crucial role in her recovery. Meditation and living a well-examined life have been key practices that helped her maintain sobriety.
Throughout the episode, Terri's gratitude for her journey shines through. She speaks candidly about the ups and downs of her path to sobriety, offering hope and inspiration to anyone struggling with addiction or supporting a loved one through their recovery. Terri's story is not just about overcoming addiction; it's about finding joy and peace in a sober life.