AA Offers Path to Recovery from Addiction

Hard Childhood Leads to Meth Abuse

Chris, in childhood, had a rough introduction to life, and this put him on a track that would lead to Meth and Alcohol abuse. Eventually, AA would offer him a path to redemption, but it was a long road until then.

He and the other kids in the family were neglected by their parents. His siblings were disabled, so a lot of the responsibility for their care fell on Chris. His dad wasn’t around much, and his mother became more and more absent, going to parties all the time. Sometimes, he had to make sure there was food to eat and he was often called out of school to babysit.

He didn’t know yet that his mother was suffering from addiction, herself. When his dad got out of prison, Chris went to live with him. He didn’t know how to make new friends, but he was curious to try Marijuana. Soon, he became a total “pot-head” and his relationships revolved around drug use.

The first time Chris tried Meth was at a desert party, and after that he was hooked.

Depression Hits with Drug Abuse

When he quit his job, Chris didn’t have the money to supply drugs for his friends anymore. He discovered that the people he thought were his friends only cared about drugs he got for them. He was crushed by this and became depressed as his Meth addiction grew.

During this time, Chris was arrested and went to county jail. He couldn’t get a grasp on things and wondered why he struggled so much.

He went to prison for the first time on fraud charges. He also replaced one addiction with another and his drinking got out of control.

Low Point in Addiction—A Scary Diagnosis

Chris discovered a bump behind his ear and went to the doctor. He learned that it was a lymph node, and that it had been caused by HIV. This was a terrifying reality and he didn’t want to face it; considering how deep he was in addiction, he probably wouldn’t have done anything to address it properly.

Thankfully, he told his family about his condition and his step-mom helped him get proper treatment. His addiction was thriving, though. The only way he could use without constantly lying to his family was to move away; so he did.

His drinking got so out of control that he stopped caring about going to the doctor or taking his medication.

Finding the Way Through AA

He wound up in prison again and was feeling very down about it. Little did he know, this would be when his life was going to change. His bunk mate in the first yard told him about an AA meeting and asked if he wanted to go.

There was a strong AA chapter in prison, and it offered Chris the support he needed to start turning his life around. He stayed sober for his entire sentence and has continued along that path since he got out. In recovery, he found the courage to be fully honest with himself and those he interacted with.

Chris began to tell his story, including his sensitive diagnosis of HIV. He wanted to be able to help others struggling, since he didn’t know who to turn to in his addiction. Because of his honesty, he has met others who were in the same position as him and formed a community of support and acceptance—something he continues to this day.

If you are struggling with drug or Alcohol addiction and want to get better, call (866) 578-7471. There are treatment services and AA chapters all over the place. Don’t suffer alone; reach out and find the community and help that you need.

31 comments
  1. Happy for Chris that he eventually came out of Meth and alcohol. He had a rough and sad life. Everything started from the home, a young boy that needs care and attention was the one taking care of his siblings. Parents should do well to train their wards. It’s their responsibility. Good to hear about AA

  2. This is very right that the kind of childhood you get make most of your habit, but you have recovered from this drug abuse is very nice.

  3. I love this good news about AA’s wonders. It’s truly wasn’t an easy feat for Chris but pulling through it all is what mattered. Thanks for this good one.

  4. The people get going through alcohol addiction from earlier time. That’s where parental control ethics comes in. Lack of parental guidance makes the children prone and become addicts after some years.

  5. The article says that he was infected with the HIV virus. Well, is it possible that he used second-hand syringe and thus he was infected by the virus? He never knew that his mother was also addicted and I think this shows that even he was also susceptible to addiction. It is good to see that he is recovering.

  6. It is a matter of great pleasure. Chris has got a new life, now he will take care of the parents at home. Addiction is a very bad thing. This story is very interesting.

  7. This path isn’t easy to find believe me but worth all the sacrifices at the end of it all. Find life after some years or months is really fantastic

  8. What a sad yet inspiring story. I’m glad that he turned his life around. It’s definitely saddening to hear his story and it gave me insight that children are defenseless when it comes to these things hence what led him to addiction.

  9. My first time hearing of AA meeting and happy a prison can have an effective of like that. That’s really surprising and happy people can be reached

  10. Cliche as this sounds but family matters. Damn these kids had to grow up fast and had addiction in the equation. It is wrong but in a way it was not his choice. Life made it for him.

  11. Chris many happen to your live before recovery like drug addiction,HIV ,but with your bravely to speak up and get sober ,keep clean and sober Chris

  12. This is a path people dread alot, but with the right program and love around it will look more easy to accomplish. I wish all people out there more luck to recovery

  13. This is really information , i hope those with addictions get to read about the AA chapters ad get helped. This will be useful ad valuable to them

  14. Drug Abuse causes depression that will work against Recovery.I feel beIng honest with one’s problem helps one find Help quickly.

  15. Chris had a rough and challenging life due to his addiction. Glad that AA came to his rescue by offering him the path to recovery. This story proves that parents have a role to play in a child’s life.

  16. Things are happening especially in the area of drug addiction by young men and women. People should be careful in taking decision. Parents should also be careful in their actions and inactions.

  17. Chris Childhood was quit a tough one which got in into addiction and stuffs but I’m so glad and happy that he got help and he was determined to change.

  18. Parents should avoid being harsh on their children so that they won’t go into unthinkables. Detox rehab is doing great in the area of their calls.

  19. Thank God for Chris’s recovery from meth and alcohol. The AA program was a blessing for him by coming to his recovery and offering a pathway to his recovery, I am so happy for him. Detox to rehab thanks for sharing this amazing story.

  20. This is a very good initiative that can help find the right recovery. Glad that AA offers the path to recovery for those with addiction.

  21. Every child deserves love and affection. Deficiency of these may have negative impact on children which will lure them into the unbelievable situation.

  22. Being able to accept rehab programs will come a long way. Our life will be changed once we accept the healing process and help of those people around us.

  23. It is quite unfortunate that Chris ended up with HIV, but thank God that through AA he got the required treatment and also he is making people to understand that taking drugs isn’t a way of life.

  24. Happy that Chris is able to overcome his alcohol addiction. And that drug for Hiv is awesome. Chris story is inspiring. Thanks Detox

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