It was a very cold December 2nd morning in 1984 as I "came to" from another drug induced evening. I was 6 months into my 3rd marriage and the more than two and a half decades of active drug addiction/alcoholism was devastating my life and everything and everyone in its path. I lifted my head from the floor and swore, for the first time, that I was going to stop using or I was going to die like may of my posse already had. My heart cried out to the God of my understanding, my wife, family and my life was what I was finally choosing and it was the first time I completely surrendered and admitted that I was an addict/alcoholic and needed help. The early years were not easy, but I did whatever it took until one miraculous day the desire to use was no longer with me. Join me in celebration ,through God's grace and mercy and my continued daily work to being Free of active addiction/alcoholism for 36 uninterrupted years on this day. The message is Hope and the Promise is freedom working a daily program and knowing there can never be a "first one" for me again. I pray daily for those who may still suffer "caught in the grip" and know that with that 1st STEP, WE ADMITTED THAT WE WERE POWERLESS OVER ADDICTION AND OUR LIVES HAD BECOME UNMANAGEABLE incorporated 100% into our daily lives WE can find freedom from active addiction one day at a time .In humble gratitude and Joy I am blessed to still be here to share in my family and grand childrens' lives and have found a daily peace .One day at a time, can turn into decades based on my own evidence.. I firmly believe, with God(of your own understanding even if that is no god at all) daily work in the Solution all things are possible!