By LYLE R. FRIED, CAP, ICADC, CHC In Addiction Recovery
Posted July 23, 2018
I guess I’ll start off with an introduction. Hello, my name is Tomas Ramon Ortega, and I am a very grateful, recovered alcoholic. As you can probably guess, this was not always the case. My drinking career was pretty typical. I drank successfully for a few years, eventually became a pickle at a point, and then I struggled for many years trying to fix the problem through self-will and grit. This led to much disappointment, continued failures, and many hurt loved ones along the way. However, despite my stubbornness, I was finally granted the gift of desperation that finally allowed me to drop my pride and I was able to ask for help. This was the beginning of my journey in recovery.
My Back To A Corner
I’ll spare the war story. I was a mess and I had to make some very hard decisions, but I was at a point where I didn’t know how to stop drinking on my own, and I was very scared. I was suggested treatment by my pastor, at a point, and I was at a point where I really felt like I had nothing left to lose by seeking outside help. I thank God, that I was backed into that corner. I made a few phone calls, shook for a couple days, and I was off to The Shores. I was greeted with open arms and much love and care, all of which scared me at first. I had no idea what to expect, but I was there for at least a month and I decided to give it my best. The experience was amazing. I learned much about myself and my disease. I started taking suggestions and trusting that these people had my best interest in mind, and little by little the fog started to clear. The Shores did wonders for me, in the beginning of my journey, but the key thing that they introduced me to was a fellowship that would come to save my life.
Understanding Fellowship
The fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous was truly where I learned how to live. I walked into the rooms and it was as if the writing was all over the wall. They understood me. They really knew. For so many years I felt like I was stranded, all alone, on an island. But when I entered those rooms, I felt like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. The men and women of this fellowship put their arms around me, and assured me that I was home. Everything was going to be alright. Just keep coming back. It gets better. I promise. Sure enough, in time, things did get better. It took a lot of honesty, willingness, and trust, but I saw hope in these people and I truly believed that they had what I was always seeking, peace of mind.
Hard Work
I did all the early suggestions. I got a sponsor, a home group, went to 90 in 90, took on service commitments, and started going through my steps. Little by little, things got better. My perspective started changing, and I learned how to handle life on life’s terms. It’s hard to describe in words, but everything they promised came true. I was able to forgive myself, mend relationships, and I am blessed with a fellowship of brothers and sisters that would and have carried me through any tough situation. It’s been amazing!
I can keep rambling on forever, but I’ll do my best to wrap things up. It’s been an amazing year. I owe a lot of that to treatment, the fellowship, and God. Life still has many challenges, but I now have the tools to handle them. It’s not always great, and it’s not always horrible, but the beautiful thing about it is that I can walk through it. I no longer live in constant fear and stress. It’s been truly a blessing. I’m so grateful for everything in my life today. By all rights, I should be dead, but God spared me and gave me another chance. That comes with much work, but I look forward to it, and I know God will carry me through whatever may lie ahead. Also, I love you all ;3
