“…it happens that because of your own drinking career you can be uniquely useful to other alcoholics.”

Alcoholics Anonymous p. 89 Having recently celebrated a sobriety birthday, I find myself reflecting more than usual on some of the miracles that have happened in my own life as a result of the recovery process. Physical, mental, spiritual and emotional healing, family reunited, marriage healed, career restored…to name a few. One of the benefits of recovery I didn’t even know to expect was the opportunity to see the same miracles that have occurred in my own life, occur in the lives of others just like me. To have the opportunity to serve as a tangible example of hope is an experience not to be missed.

Jessica’s Story

  Some years ago, I had the opportunity to meet a young woman whose addiction, much like mine, had taken practically every single thing from her except her very life. Jessica had lost members of her family, her children, her financial security, even her very teeth to the disease of addiction. I remember the first time I saw her—we were in Los Angeles, California—the staff of The Doctors show had called on BRC Recovery to assist with one of their worst addiction cases ever. As Jessica walked out onto the stage I remember thinking this young woman is on the brink of death at the hands of addiction. The intervention was successful and she returned to Austin and became a resident at BRC. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months and now months into years. Through it all Jessica has been an active and willing participant in the recovery process. The journey has been sometimes arduous, but the transformation has been nothing short of miraculous.

The Power of Recovery

I picked Jessica up last week and took her out for coffee. She has recently started managing a recovery residence and I wanted to check in with her. As she sat across from me beaming and reporting what a blessing her new job is, I couldn’t help but get a little misty eyed. The power of recovery at all times and in all ways, exceeds any expectation my limited mind can conceive. I was told once, and repeat it often “recovery will bring to you a life beyond your wildest imagination…” Truer words have never been spoken. Just ask Jessica, or me, or countless other women and men who have taken the greatest risk and received the greatest reward. Just ask.   Marsha Stone, CEO BRC Recovery