Gina F.'s Recovery Success Story Part II
When I arrived at Sober Living by the Sea I was full of arrogance(which was really fear). I thought to myself "I have four degrees and I have graduated with honors from a university - what can Sober Living by the Sea teach me?" (I also had four 5150’s and four trips to detox - isn't it funny how the mind just sees what it wants?)
came here thinking that drug treatment wasn’t going to work for me. "After all I know all this stuff already - I've studied it in school." in theory. I later heard that 'self-knowledge availed us nothing - we had to live it.' I had read that in the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous many times before but it was always on an academic level not on a spiritual level and it certainly didn’t apply to me!
I found myself annoyed with the young people here "who were just here for mommy and daddy." In looking back I can see that it wasn’t annoyance but rather heartbreak over my ownbroken relationship with my son.
Soon I started talking with the young people and trying to understand what was going on in their lives trying to get a picture of what was going on with my son. I soon found that all the tools I needed to start in my journey of recovery where right here at Sober Living by the Sea. I needed to put my pride and ego aside and roll up my sleeves and get to work at an honest attempt at working the 12 Steps of recovery.
I got a sponsor and I began working the 12 Steps of recovery. I worked with my case manager, and went to as many groups as I could. I participaed in the Celebrate Recovery program, I went to activities and my 90 days of treatment flew by. Soon it was time to leave but I didn’t want to.
I was scared so I decided to stay and go into their work release program for another 90 days. I got a job at a local business and began working again as administrative assistance doing clerical work.
As I continued to work with my sponsor and work on my program of recovery big things soon started happening in my life - things that I could have never dreamed of!
Because of my education I was soon given the opportunity to join the staff here at Sober Living By the Sea and be a part of the community. Today I manage the very house that I first walked into when I was full of fear and arrogance. It’s a good feeling to be able to say to the new girl that has just walked through the door that "I remember what it was like when I walked through that door myself." I hope that in some small way it brings them comfort to know that this process worked for me and can also work for them.
My recovery is strengthened through my work with the women who come to Sober Living by the Sea. AA literature talks about how recovery begins with one alcoholic talking to another sharing experience, strength and hope. I am blessed to be in a position where I can do that.
On a personal level my life has never been better. Today I can actually tell you today the color of your eyes rather that the color of your shoes!
Reconnecting and Making Amends
During my journey of recovery I once walked into a support group meeting and ran into a boyfriend from my past who had also become sober. This was a miracle in itself but as we rekindled our friendship I was filled with fear and apprehension about fully living life and engaging in relationships without the familiar comfort of using drugs and alcohol.
The staff here at Sober Living by the Sea was instrumental at walking me through that situation in my life. Three weeks later, we made our amends to each other and he has added a whole other dimension to my program of recovery. God works in mysteries ways.
My boyfriend and I have been together now for three years and plan on getting married when the time is right
The Gifts of the Program
I have recently been certified as an alcohol and drug counselor as well as a Certified Criminal Justice Professional through the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors. My hope is to one day be able to be a case manager here at Sober Living By the Sea and give back what was so freely given to me.
There is one last miracle that I want to tell you about: my son. 18 months ago he called and asked for help. I was able to take what had been shown to me here at Sober Living by the Sea, from my sponsor and my boyfriend and reach across that abyss that is alcoholism and show him what it takes to stay sober.
I am happy and proud to say that my son passes along the message of recovery to the new men in the program of AA.. My son is 22 years old and is 18 months sober. Recently, he made me a grandmother.
My life has truly been a miracle of Redemption.
Gina F. is a community staff member at Sober Living by the Sea. Gina graduated in 2000 from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelors is Sociology and a minor in Criminology and emphasis in social work. In 1998 Gina graduated from Chaffey College with an associate degree in liberal arts. Gina has been a CADA I since January of 2009 and has been on staff for three years. Gina is also a Certified Criminal Justice Professional. Gina is soon to celebrate four years of sobriety. Gina is a proud mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, girlfriend, employee and sponsors two girls in the program of A.A.
