Blog post by: Alumni Relations Specialist

When we step into the realms of living sober there are many situations we must learn to go through. If you are anything like this addict, I found every reason to get out of myself with a substance. Getting into sobriety I had fears of certain situations that seemed impossible to stay sober through. My grandmother passed away recently. Though she was 94 years old and lived a good life, the loss of a loved one is never easy. Someone passing was definitely a reason in the past to use! However, when I came to the fellowship I learned this was untrue and there were tools to help me. As soon as I told my sponsor the news she immediately asked to me check in with her through the day and asked me to meet her at a meeting that night. Many people in the fellowship reached out to me and hugged me. They offered love and support but most of all they listened to the pain I was feeling. As much as I did not want to raise my hand at that meeting and share how I felt, I was taught we must do things that make us uncomfortable to get better. The major part of that day and every day after was, I DID NOT USE over her death and my Gram would be proud of that. My head may have thought about it, but I did not react on those thoughts. Since I have been working a program of recovery with many supports I am getting through this process. So, we are going to experience wonderful situations and not so pleasant ones too, but no matter what WE get through them! We may lose a friend or a family member in recovery but we never have to use!