Hi, my name is Brian. I’m 62 years old and now a grateful recovering alcoholic and addict. I believe I was born with the genetic curse of addiction. Cousins on both sides of my family. Only six of them are not addicts or recovering addicts. Some have died and some are in jail as a direct result of this disease. I don’t want to get into a drunk log about what I did to support my addiction. I gave away my relationships with my daughter and grandkids because I could not stop getting high long enough to go see them. And my living arrangements at my brother’s house where my mom also lived. I was stealing her pills, money, and the most important thing, her peace of mind. I had to move to Motel 6 where I overdosed and had to be resuscitated back to life. I was pushed out of the hospital in a wheelchair in Baltimore. I had no idea where my rental car was. It had everything I owned in it. I got a ride back to Motel 6 in Frederick from my brother who I used to live with and caused so much turmoil in his house. If I had found the rental car, I probably wouldn’t be here today. It had my wallet and my phone in it, so I had no way to get my drugs. I stayed at the motel for another two weeks basically just drinking and taking pills. My brother suggested that I get professional help AGAIN.
I ended up going to rehab for 30 days. They suggested a halfway house or sober living. After two days at a halfway house, I made the best decision of my life so far. I called Korey whom my brother knew was running Up & Out Sober Living. Korey had a bed available. I met Korey about 20 years ago and he was not in good shape. My brother told me how well he was doing and had been doing for the past 13 years. At 60 years old I wanted 13 years clean and sober. One thing I knew was I needed structure and accountability. People told me how Up & Out had the structure and accountability I needed and wanted. The house was beautiful and very clean……with an inground pool. Come on! Korey gave me the rules plus read them to me. We had to do 90 meetings in 90 days, get a sponsor, a home group and get a service position. Keep your area clean and do your chores. I did these things and started feeling better about myself. I started being responsible and dependent. Sure, I had issues, but I learned to deal with them without getting drunk or high. God brought me to AA and AA got me back to God and my understanding. My relationship with God became stronger and closer than ever. I wouldn’t replace my time and experience at Up & Out for anything. I started living, working and building my relationships back with my mom and brother. I worked the 12 steps to the best of my ability. AA taught me progress not perfection. Suit up and show up. I will always remember when Korey told us to stay in the middle of AA. Not one has ever fallen off the center of a roof.
I met people who will always be a part of my life and just want the best for me. Up & Out raises leaders. I got the opportunity to jump out of a plane only because I was at Up & Out Sober Living. This is something they do every year. We also went out on a charter boat fishing trip where I caught my first rockfish. By the way my mother now lives with me in my own apartment. My mom now has her son back and her peace of mind. This is only because of God and Up & Out Sober Living who put me in the rooms of AA. I practice the principles in all of my affairs. Thank you to Up & Out Sober Living for the accountability and structure you implemented there. God Bless you all.
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