I was 38 years old and I rarely ever drank. I was married with 2 boys. My sister was my best friend. We lived together with our families. We were inseparable. My sister Rhonda got into a bad car accident and quickly became a pain pill addict, then an alcoholic. I tried to get her clean. But After about 8 years, she collasped on our front porch and died. To deal with the pain, I too turned to pain pills and alcohol. I was losing everything. I just could not stop my addiction. I asked my husband for help. I went to detox for a week. I started weekly grief counseling. I am now almost 600 days clean and sober.

Life is good again. I never thought I would get here. I never thought I could live a day without drugs and alcohol, without my sister. I am happy again. I try to help others. I feel maybe I found my calling, even though I took the hard way to it. Getting clean is the most difficult thing I have ever done. Everyday is a new adventure, and a new success story. I celebrate every clean day. God is good. If I can do it, you can. You can help a family member. Please don't ever give up. Deep down, every addict wants help.