There is Help
About 3 years ago I found myself at the darkest point in my life. On August 10, 2000 I awoke from a seizure only to find myself in the ER of a local hospital suffering from D.T.'s and malnutrition. I was physically, mentally, and emotionally deep in the grips of chronic alcoholism. I was at the end of my rope.

Later that same evening, I met a nurse who was kind and gentle, yet blunt and straightforward. She simply asked me if I was tired of the way I was living and if I was willing to do something about it. After my initial anger and defensiveness, I reluctantly agreed to meet with two men whom she said could help me. Upon meeting these men, I slowly began to calm down, and despite my physical condition, I began to actually relax. They briefly shared their stories with me (stories strikingly similar to my own). They also shared their concern, their empathy, and their hope.
To this day I don't fully understand the dynamics of what transpired that night; nor can I explain my sudden willingness and receptiveness. Somehow I knew the possibility of hope and of real contentment was within my grasp. That evening was the beginning of a wonderful journey that I still travel today. I can honestly and truly say I have never been happier or more content that I am today. God bless those young men and my nurse; three Angels who touch my life forever.
K.C.

There is Hope
On October 7, 1994 at 2 AM I came to a point in my life where I could no longer live with alcohol or live without alcohol. I no longer wanted to live and I didn't want to die. I had barricaded myself in my apartment for over a week and decided to drink myself to death. I was about to be evicted. My phone had been disconnected. I had run out of food. I had run out of hope.

I was at a turning point in my life although I didn't know it. My family, friends, minister, psychiatrist had all tried to help me and just couldn't. I wouldn't let them. But, that early morning a beautiful surrender came and my life has never been the same again. A moment of clarity lead me to ask a Higher Power just one more time for help. I gave up control of my life and put it in his hands. It was truly a spiritual experience.

It's an experience only another alcoholic will probably understand. Today I am happy and life is good. I have so much less materially, but I have so much internally. I have been blessed with a wonderful gift.
M.B.

There is Healing
Being an "Angel" has been an instrumental part of my recovery. The Angel program assists the Hospital Emergency Rooms. If it appears a patient is in need of some help with alcohol and/or drugs, we are called. Two people in recovery will respond to each call. I have gone on several Angel runs since I started working with the program. When we arrive we will introduce ourselves and let them know where we are from and attempt to get some background information from the patient by striking up some general conversation. We listen. We talk. We share. What we share is our experience with some of our struggles and some of our triumphs over alcohol and/or drugs. We give information about alternatives and how recovery has helped us.

I try to leave each individual with some hope that there is help. I can't explain the feeling of seeing one of these people finding recovery and seeking a new way of life. God has some amazing ways. He works in our life to help us help others.
R.S.