By: Allen O., Transformations Alumnus
Hi, I’m Allen Offill and I’m an alcoholic. My sobriety date is January, 13th of 2017 and I’m walking proof that people change. We CAN better ourselves through action and we DO get second chances.
I started drinking and using at the age of twelve. From the start, I loved everything about it. It made me fit in, have confidence I lacked, and made me everything I thought I wanted to be. After a DUI, multiple overdoses, torn relationships, damaged careers, losing my children, and pretty much destroying my entire family, my best friend (drugs and alcohol) became my worst enemy. Addiction and alcoholism killed four of my five older brothers, my only sister, and my closest nephew at the age of twenty one. When I say it destroyed my family, that’s saying it lightly.
In December of 2016, after giving promise after promise, becoming homeless, having no vehicle or license, I somehow managed to keep a job long enough to get health insurance. My insurance kicked in on January 1st of 2017 and next thing you know I’m on a plane to Florida. I hope I never forget that feeling. After five days in detox at Summit, my insurance dropped me but luckily Transformations gave me an opportunity with a scholarship for 28 days. I was miserable for weeks, no sleep, couldn’t complete a sentence, and couldn’t sit still. I was a complete disaster.
While living at Villa, they brought us to outside AA meetings. There, I shook hands and introduced myself to everyone I could. I met a man who promised me a job after I completed treatment. He helped me get into halfway and introduced me to multiple people in the program. After work, I went to multiple meetings a day, got a sponsor, a home group, worked the steps, and prayed to my Higher Power the best I could. I feel I built a strong foundation early in recovery which helps me still to this day.
Over six years later, my life is unimaginable to say the least. I’m engaged to the love of my life, who is a Doctor (way out of my league!) We have a beautiful home together, my career is better than ever, and AA still helps me in so many ways. Thank you Transformations, for helping me build a strong foundation in recovery that gave me a chance to transform myself into the best version of me!
Thanks,
Allen Offill
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