It All Became Normal >
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The ROCK SOLID GROUP
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of Alcoholics Anonymous
(740)215-7194 or (740)654-4698
PO Box 222
151 E. Hubert Ave, Lancaster OH 43130
151 E. Hubert Ave, Lancaster OH 43130
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It All Became Normal
Hi. My name is Dave, and I'm a recovering alcoholic and addict. I'll start with a
little background. I was born in Wheeling, West Virgina; my first home was in
Moundsville, close to the state penitentiary.
My parents were divorced when I was still young. My mother moved us kids to
Ohio in the early '70's. By the next summer I was drinking and smoking
cigarettes, and generally being a problem. When I was in the 7th grade, I think I
may have been the only kid on probation that carried a gun every day,
everywhere. I smoked grass everyday -- committed a crime every day, at least
one. After a while, it didn't seem like crime. It all became normal. At least for
me, it did. Going to mental wards, getting arrested, insanity and running wild
were everywhere in my life.
Eventually I bought a bike -- an old Triumph. I joined a motorcycle club, and
became an officer, a Sergeant at Arms, they called it. Guns, crimes, girls, drugs
and always the booze -- it all became normal.
Years passed, I left the club, got married and became a dad. I should have
known better, but I opened my own drug store. I went to college and had two
more children. I lost my oldest daughter, God rest her little soul. My life
continued to spin out of control. I met a few REAL criminals; members of what
the government refers to as 'organized crime.' These associations also became
normal as time passed. At some point, looking at my own children, I began to
think, maybe, just maybe, I'd rather not continue to be a criminal. I closed my
store, and thought about getting a job. By the grace of God, the police came
along, indictments and warrants in hand, and saved me from myself. It is 2006
now. That was nine years ago, and I have not touched drugs since then.
Back then I did my best, and stayed clean and sober for three and a half years,
thanks to God and AA. But I fell down again when I had major problems a t
home with my family. I started to drink again, and got 2 DUI's. I spent 7 1/2
months in jails because they happened while I was on probation for selling pot.
I went back to the same correctional center that I did time in for selling
marijuana. I went back to Rehab classes & AA. I tried to start my life over again,
alone, but clean and sober. For awhile, meetings, jobs and trying to function in
society became my 'normal' life, but as years passed alcohol crept back into my
life -- you know, cunning, baffling, powerful! I got 2 more OMVI's and spent six
months in prison, when I was sent to a halfway-house in Lancaster, where I did
find AA in the Rock Solid Group.
I believe, my friends, that absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake.
I also believe that acceptance is really the answer to all my problems today. And,
God willing, over time, living free (including freedom from the bondage of
alcoholic obsession) is becoming, and will continue to become my 'normal'
again. Today is a great day to be clean and sober, and I hope and pray it is for
you also. Now it's no longer about what is 'normal', for me. Today it's about
being healthy. I can't be healthy with a bag or a bottle. But I can be healthy with
the help of God and AA. I'll never have to find myself in that bag or bottle ever
again. I don't have to like it, but I have to accept it. And today, acceptance is the
answer for me. God bless you and thank you. I can only hope and pray that my
message may help someone. It helped me by sharing it with you.
Hi. My name is Dave, and I'm a recovering alcoholic and addict. I'll start with a
little background. I was born in Wheeling, West Virgina; my first home was in
Moundsville, close to the state penitentiary.
My parents were divorced when I was still young. My mother moved us kids to
Ohio in the early '70's. By the next summer I was drinking and smoking
cigarettes, and generally being a problem. When I was in the 7th grade, I think I
may have been the only kid on probation that carried a gun every day,
everywhere. I smoked grass everyday -- committed a crime every day, at least
one. After a while, it didn't seem like crime. It all became normal. At least for
me, it did. Going to mental wards, getting arrested, insanity and running wild
were everywhere in my life.
Eventually I bought a bike -- an old Triumph. I joined a motorcycle club, and
became an officer, a Sergeant at Arms, they called it. Guns, crimes, girls, drugs
and always the booze -- it all became normal.
Years passed, I left the club, got married and became a dad. I should have
known better, but I opened my own drug store. I went to college and had two
more children. I lost my oldest daughter, God rest her little soul. My life
continued to spin out of control. I met a few REAL criminals; members of what
the government refers to as 'organized crime.' These associations also became
normal as time passed. At some point, looking at my own children, I began to
think, maybe, just maybe, I'd rather not continue to be a criminal. I closed my
store, and thought about getting a job. By the grace of God, the police came
along, indictments and warrants in hand, and saved me from myself. It is 2006
now. That was nine years ago, and I have not touched drugs since then.
Back then I did my best, and stayed clean and sober for three and a half years,
thanks to God and AA. But I fell down again when I had major problems a t
home with my family. I started to drink again, and got 2 DUI's. I spent 7 1/2
months in jails because they happened while I was on probation for selling pot.
I went back to the same correctional center that I did time in for selling
marijuana. I went back to Rehab classes & AA. I tried to start my life over again,
alone, but clean and sober. For awhile, meetings, jobs and trying to function in
society became my 'normal' life, but as years passed alcohol crept back into my
life -- you know, cunning, baffling, powerful! I got 2 more OMVI's and spent six
months in prison, when I was sent to a halfway-house in Lancaster, where I did
find AA in the Rock Solid Group.
I believe, my friends, that absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake.
I also believe that acceptance is really the answer to all my problems today. And,
God willing, over time, living free (including freedom from the bondage of
alcoholic obsession) is becoming, and will continue to become my 'normal'
again. Today is a great day to be clean and sober, and I hope and pray it is for
you also. Now it's no longer about what is 'normal', for me. Today it's about
being healthy. I can't be healthy with a bag or a bottle. But I can be healthy with
the help of God and AA. I'll never have to find myself in that bag or bottle ever
again. I don't have to like it, but I have to accept it. And today, acceptance is the
answer for me. God bless you and thank you. I can only hope and pray that my
message may help someone. It helped me by sharing it with you.