Jon

Topics: Alcohol Abuse; Substance Abuse

"I first tried alcohol in 10th grade, at a friend's birthday party.  From that moment on, my use slowly gained steam. At the time, I thought it was cool, new and exciting. I didn't realize I had a problem until it was too late.  My circle of friends grew as I continued to drink, although I didn't understand that it often grew in a negative way. I hid my use from my family, but the signs (being out late or not coming home at all, etc.) were all there. When I was 20 years old, I was involved in a DUI accident in which one of my best friends lost his life. I was the driver. I spent 2 years in a New York State Prison after being convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter 2nd degree. I still live with the memory of what I did every day.

While incarcerated, I made a conscious decision to better myself, and to dig up just what it was that was keeping me from living the way I wanted to live. I found a lot of things out. I started going to the AA meetings we had there, and spoke a few times. While it was a little strange at first telling my story to a room full of people I didn't know, it was liberating at the same time. I followed the 12 steps towards recovery, and still do to this day in some form or another. Recovery was and is very difficult, but I'm grateful for every step I take, and I know that it is worth it.

I'm currently maintaining my recovery with a strong support group including my family both immediate and extended, my girlfriend, and friends back in New York who I've remained in contact with.  Nowadays I find myself a little calmer and a little more patient, both with myself and with others. I make better decisions now that my head is clear, and overall just feel better. I've had friends say that I'm completely different, but I'm still the same person. I firmly believe that we are all meant to be someone, but we can get in the way of ourselves reaching our highest potential."