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Thank God for my disease

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Thank God for my disease

My name is Mark. I am a 31 year old father and husband and have been clean and sober for over 1 year now. My story began at the age of 11. I began drinking very heavily out of the gate and quickly became addicted to I.V. drugs at the young age of 15. I was in and out of psych wards, rehabs and could not stay in one school for more than a year. I was not ready to stay clean and sober, I didn't want to, I wanted to die. Two kids later I struggled through early adulthood. I was never able to keep a job, and was in and out of the hospital for blood infections and heart problems due to my extensive I.V. drug use. Finally, a year ago I had my awakening. It was not a bottom like going to jail, losing everything or getting fired. It was the fact that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. The drugs didn't work anymore, I was a 30 year old no body. I was a terrible father, a terrible husband and had no career to speak of and had thrown away every career I had started. I was scared, but knew where to go. That was a very well known anonymous 12 step group. Instead of acting like I knew everything, I sincerely asked for help. I listened to everything that was suggested, got a sponsor and began something I had never begun in the 15 years of attempting to get clean, I worked the 12 steps. I now work as a subcontractor for the Federal District court, I am an ordained minister, a functioning loving husband and father, and a productive positive member of society. The three keys that I stick to this day, are honesy, openmindedness and willingness. I go to meetings, and help other alcoholics and addicts which is absolutely key to my sobriety as well. I hope if anything, my story can help teens and young adults know they do not have to go through the years of self torture I did. Using and drinking does not get any better, it gets worse. There is nothing "cool" about it. It is deadly, I have buried dozens of friends from DUI accidents and overdoses. All us addicts and alcoholics have is a daily reprieve from our addiction contigent upon our spiritual maintanance. Thank goodness I have the disease of addiction and alcoholism, because now I have a path and a program that helps not just me, but others that suffer from this fatal illness. ~Mark



Partners for Hope raise critical funds on behalf Partnership to End Addiction – the nation’s leading organization dedicated to addiction prevention, treatment and recovery. Every dollar raised on behalf of the Partnership* will help ensure free, personalized family support resources, including our national helpline, peer-to-peer parent coaching, customized online tools and community education programs, can reach those who need them most. Please consider donating to this fundraiser and sharing this page.

*Donations made to Partnership to End Addiction are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. All contributions are fully tax-deductible, as no goods or services are provided in consideration in whole, or in part, of any contribution to this nonprofit organization.  EIN: 52-1736502

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Comments

1. Mel B
U r a miracle!
2. Mary Ann
Mark, I stand in awe of what has done in and through you! God bless!!!
3. Jane
Your story is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing. It was so brave of you to make a change.