I'm Recovered.

I don't say "I'm Jerri and I'm an alcoholic". I haven't for years now.

I'm a RECOVERED alcoholic.

Does it mean I can drink? No.

Does it mean I can ignore character defects? No.

Does it mean I don't need to work on myself? No.

It means I will not be a slave to a term for the rest of my life. It means I will not call myself "a drunk" or "an alcoholic" just to fit in with others in recovery. It means I choose what I say about myself and my journey.

Too long have we treated addiction like this thing that is constantly lurking over your shoulder and no matter how many years of sobriety you have at any minute, you could drink or use again.

That is a lie from the pit of hell.

That's someone else's experience. I have relapsed many times. Relapse isn't what I'm referring to. I'm referring to the old cliche that "The further I get away from my last drink, the closer I get to my next one." NO YOU DON'T.

🔆 NEWS FLASH 🔆

Recovery is about how much you are willing to tell the truth to yourself and the world around you. If you constantly try and practice, you WILL get better. You WILL have success. You are NOT a drunk forever. You are NOT a junkie forever. That being said, you do have to work. You do have to try. But you're not closer to your next drink after consistently trying to be better. Obviously. You are walking in the opposite direction of that drink.

So here is the real truth:

I'm free. I have FREEDOM.

I don't think about drinking anymore than I think about driving my car off a bridge. People need to know that's a place you can reach. You CAN.

And it's indescribable with words. 🥺♥️