What a tough week for us in recovery: There’s non-stop coverage of Hollywood star Philip Seymour Hoffman dying while injecting himself with heroin. It’s easy to lose the message that millions of people nationwide — and thousands right here in Nashville — have found productive lives and hope in recovery.
It’s so awesome that some of my recovery friends are willing to tell their stories here, and one of my besties (and early mentors) shares hers today.
Jaime G. has 11 years clean, and now she works at the treatment center that she says saved her life. Here is Jaime’s story:
When I look back to my childhood, I realize that my first friend was my disease. That small voice was constantly with me, whispering in my ear that I was different, telling me that no one could love me for just being me, telling me I wasn’t good enough, and that I would always be alone.
No one could see that I struggled when I was growing up, because I was an incredible actress. I was creative, funny, and I did well in school, I was also a big, phony fake. As I entered into my teenage years I stumbled across this magical potion that changed everything… ALCOHOL!!!
With the first sip that voice in my head changed its tune. Now it said, “This is it”. From that point on I spent the next 11 years looking for comfort in the bottom of bottles, baggies, and basically anything that was available on any given day. My life became empty, and my spirit crawled deep inside and hid in a very dark hole. I pushed everyone away and I became what my disease told me I was, worthless.
Then something wonderful happened: I got arrested (again). This is what led me to finally entering a 28-day inpatient treatment center in Nashville.
They taught me how to quiet that voice, and helped me coax my spirit out of hiding. They taught me to give my shame to God and let Him carry the pain. They showed me a world called recovery, and I found people like me that shared the same struggles, but were happy and recovering.
That voice that convinced me I was broken is gone today. In its place I hear the stories of my friends and the hope in the stories of recovering addicts in the rooms of a 12-step fellowship.
I hear my spirit laughing joyously. I am loved today, and just for today I believe that with all of my heart. I have no use for that voice today, because today I am free.
Thanks so much, Jaime, for sharing your story and for being a good friend, and for doing service work to help other women in recovery. 
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