1999. What a way to end the decade - spiraling downward into the depths of hell...they called it "hitting bottom."

In January of 1999 I entered a wonderful treatment center. (I didn’t think it was so wonderful at the time.) It was snowing in Ohio - a blizzard actually. But when I came out it was April and I was a new person. The daffodils and tulips were popping out of the ground. Talk about new beginnings!

In my "past-life" I was a consultant. After leaving the treatment center I was sort of lost ... didn't know what to do. I did know that I could not go back to the lifestyle I once had - no matter how lucrative it was.

Since I didn't know what to do, I prayed for guidance...for an answer. (Something I'd never do in the past! I didn’t need help from others let alone God.)

Woke up one morning and the answer was there as plain as the nose on my face. The answer was, "go back to school."

I went to the phone, called the local university and enrolled that very day.

It has been a little over six years since I made that phone call.

I graduated in May 2005 with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Mental Health and Human Services.

I graduated on May 12th, 2007 with my Master's Degree in Counseling.

I will sit for the counseling licensure exam within the next couple of months.

I've already accepted a job as a substance abuse counselor in my community!
And … I am considering a doctorate degree.

Eight years ago I was a different person - addicted to alcohol and very close to death, actually wanting to end my life.

Today, I'm free. I've been clean and sober for 8 years. I’ve discovered that my suffering turned out to be a gift. Because now I can use my suffering, those hellish years of addiction, as a tool to help those who suffer as I once did.

Gandhi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

Be the change – and know that there is always hope.