If it's 10 miles into the woods - it's going to be ten miles out. I went into the woods a day at a time, I can only come out a day at a time. I drank for 26 years, and have only been sober for 11. By those numbers, I'm not even halfway out! When I made the turn, a bunch of sober people came in to love on me, hold my hand and show me the way out. Every day, I take another sober-step with the people of AA. I was sleeping on the concrete with everything I owned in a backpack. I drank my friends and family away. Hated being in my own skin.

Today, I'm a married homeowner, living inside healed relationships. I'm a man of dignity, value and self-worth. I have a daughter and a granddaughter (who's never seen me drunk), a cat, and a fish tank. We grow tomatoes and peppers in the summer. My life today is amazing. The best part? I can't take credit for any of it, because I know I didn't do it. I'd be taking credit for God's handy-work - and AA's handy-work. Today, I sponsor guys, which gives my life a deep purpose. They bless me. Please get to a meeting and stay. Make that turn in the woods. You'll never have to go through anything alone again.