NOW AND THEN
We asked these clean and sober individuals with different lengths of recovery time what their life is like now using and working a program of recovery
BY PAULO MURILLO
MY WHOLE IDENTITY
“My life is amazing. It’s nothing I would ever imagine would be possible for me. In terms of the basics, like that I’m a functioning member of society; that I have a roof over my head; that my bills are paid; that I’m financially responsible and I’m not running from the law; that I have a relationship with my family—it’s a challenging relationship because they don’t have the same tools that I do, but I get to show up differently. I get to choose how I engage and not make it worse. I’m starting grad school in the fall. In terms of my personal relationships, I have an amazing village of people that lift me up and are working on themselves and giving back. They inspire me. Turning eight years sober is surreal. I didn’t think it was possible. I didn’t think I’d want anything to do with a sober life. Drinking and using was my whole identity. Looking back at the past eight years, I can honestly say that I have lived more and experienced more, been present for more, and been proud of more than I had at any point in my life.”
—Tinna Florez, sober since July 31, 2014.
IT’S EMPOWERING
“My life is beautiful. I’m a nurse at county hospital with 17 years of sobriety now. I made a list of wishes and hopes and dreams and they’re checked. Married: check. Sober: check. A dude: check. Nurse: Check. Before I got sober, I was living in a rundown apartment, and I did my grocery shopping at the Rite Aid across the street. I was a very unhappy lesbian. I hadn’t figured out my life at that point and actively trying to destroy the relationship to the woman I’m now married to. I’m super grateful that my recovery was built on a solid foundation, and I’m actively working to get connected to my core base of friends, but life makes it hard when the pain of drinking and using isn’t fresh.The thing I love most about being sober is the ability to take responsibility for myself and my own actions. It’s amazing, it’s freeing, and it’s empowering. I love being present in my own life.”
—Danny Schurr, sober since September 7, 2004.
A BETTER LIFE
“I just celebrated 5 years. I’m doing well. I joined Violent Kitty Cosmetics, I’m a group facilitator at Red Door treatment and I’m a counselor and case manager at LaCada treatment center. I’m still working on my recovery. I have two sponsees and I still work with my sponsor. It’s been good and it’s been challenging because of my old behaviors, but I have found a better way and a better life for myself. Turning five years was amazing. I didn’t think I was going to make it. There was too much going on. I have school, my job, my sober life, and I didn’t have any of those things to juggle before I got sober. I’m enjoying my life modeling for Violent Kitty and promoting that brand. Life used to be horrible. I was homeless, I was walking the street, I looked a mess and soliciting myself sexually to get drugs. It was horrible. I recommend recovery to anyone struggling and hurry up before the fentanyl gets you. I know too many who have died from that.”
—Chantay Mackey, sober since June 18, 2017.
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