I've seen the pitfalls of addiction in my own life as well. Thank you for posting this blog. There are a lot of people affected by addiction and some of them don't know where to turn.

Thank you,
Cory Taylor
 

Thank you so much, Michelle! :)
 

What a special blessing you are...I think in some way everyone is an addict, a slave to physical awareness...sad this is because becoming spiritually aware of our true selves is the greatest high...nirvana...we do not have a soul...we are a soul...we have a body (C.S. Lewis of the Chronicles of Narnia)...when we acknowledge and feed the spiritual we find lasting fulfillment that no chemicals can achieve...bless you, my friend for sharing the way out of hell.
 

Hi Michelle, Thank you for turning that sadness and anger into a positive force for change. It's a great song- the way that you emote with your voice and make the lyrics really speak... how cool that a listener might be affected enough to begin a change. Longest journey, first step...
Two Kudos for you!
David
 

Thanks for the message David. We need to put our collective voices out there to help with the loss and sadness of addiction. Please pass the song onto anyone who needs it.
Michelle
 

I think you are very inspiring but I attended 12 step meetings but don't get the whole GOD thing. Any ideas? Please don't say: "keep going back!" Thanks, Peter
 

Thank you very much for writing me. I completely understand the problem with the God thing. I have watched miracles happen in the rooms despite the baggage that many people have with the God thing. I am wondering if there is a way for you to get the Higher Power idea without focusing on God/religion? What about the power of the group for now? What about the millions of people who have found recovery in the rooms for now? What about just showing up and having faith in the process for now? You do not need to accept anything that you are uncomfortable with. I have never known anyone to have happy sobriety without the 12 steps. Maybe there are people out there...I just don't know them. I dislike many of the corny sayings that go around but there is the one about earning your seat in the rooms, that appeals to me. I have seen miracles year after year in AA and I hope that you will find some of your own. Peace to you and Happy New Year.

Michelle
 

Ah...the god thing. At least you put the word in capitals.

The way I look at that is this:
Drug addiction, along with many of my self repeating destructive behav1ours, have in their essence , an incredibly self centered, self absorbed narcissistic, and LONELY sides to them.

God, for me, is about realizing that I am not the center of the universe and that there are things much greater than myself at work in my daily life.

I too have had a great deal of difficulty with the word, the concept, the "sheep following" attitude.

Today, I try to keep it very simple.

God is a concept of a Higher power. Something stronger, greater and larger than myself.

When I act out of humility, I m in much better position to not take that first drug, which inevitably leads to a major debacle, very often life threatening.

12 step groups work through the power of other people.

Make the group your Higher power.

Never mind what others call god.

Its to become less selfish.

Try it.

J
 

Thank you for your wise message. I hope anyone having an issue with the God thing in AA or NA can look past that and see the miracles that are for everyone who gives the 12 steps a chance. I am so grateful to be out of the hell of addiction and am so sorry to have lost so many loved ones. Happy New Year to you Joshua...
Michelle
 

Very nice message. May God continue to use you through your music, also sometimes we become an instrument that God uses to help other. Thanks for the request, and I would love to have you as a friend. Always remember you may not be where you should be because we all are human and have faults, but at least we aren't were we used to be. I have a positive vibe from you, you are on your way to being someone big and God will manifiest his glory upon your life.
 

Well said, there is a way out, One just has to really want to stop.

Been there, done that, and work with kids that are struggling with it today. God Bless you for caring Michelle.

 

a family member of mine was hooked on Oxycontin he was a SGT. in the Army and a father of 4....on thanksgiving morning he took his life....leaving us all in udder shock we had no idea his pain and saddness was so strong... I only wish he asked for our help
 

Thankyou! Although not a 'substance' Anorexia/eating disorders are just as bad, just as deadly and just as difficult to recover from. You're life can depend on it.

I'm trying to recover. Losing weight is like getting a 'hit'. Not fun in the long run. The ego is an interesting 'pet' at times.

 

Have you checked out FA? I know there are meetings near you. It is amazing. Let me know if you go and what you think. xo, Michelle
 

The word God bothered me for years, still does sometimes. It all depends on who and how it's being used.


Years ago I heard a story about a guy who's Higher Power was a coffee pot, and this belief helped him stay sober.


Everyone is an individual, so your God, in all honesty, can't be identical to mine because you can't get in my head, nor I in yours.


Having said that, my Higher Power is the Universe. Why? Because whatever I can see, visualize, imagine, or touch, I can find fault with. The Universe is far too vast for me to even try to attempt defining. Makes things a lot easier for me.


Not to toot my horn, I've been sober for over 23 years, not relapses.


Something to keep in mind. Addiction is a vehicle for escaping 'your' reality and more importantly the unresolved emotional/psychic trauma of 'your' past. Everyone has baggage, some more than others.


Clear away the wreckage of 'your' past by healing your Emotional body, along with your Spiritual and Physical body.


Believe it or not, there is a cure. It resides within you, with the help of brutal self-Honesty, an Open mind, and Willingness to improve yourself, with the help of true friends.


When you come to truly understand this your desire to abuse anything to escape your life will leave you. You will no longer be obsessed with escaping your life, you will look forward to living your life as emotionally connected as possible to all your surroundings.


Namaste

He Who Walks With The Wolf And Is The Wolf
 

I have been in recovery from addiction for 11 1/2 years. I have been feeling really lost and out of touch for the past few months. I haven't been able to attend meetings that used to be the center of my life, so thank you for posting this. I know that I am going through a "learning period" and as long as I just keep positive and don't give into the temptation of a relapse, I know I will learn so much from this huge bump in my road! Thank you so much for letting me vent.
Terrisue
 

I'm a victim of myself. I recently celebrated a year of continuous sobriety in the halls of Alcohaulics Anonymous. My drug of choice was oxycontin and since I live in such an urban area, we don't have NA available, anyways, I loved the song and def gotta hand it to u for feeling so strongly about the loss of your friends, I too have experienced loss as a result of this disease.
Anybody reading this, GET HELP- Here is my # 207-726-9625
 

thank you so much milady !!!!   keep spreading the message ...........