About

The “24 Hours” blog is intended to share stories of recovery from addiction and other mental health disorders, and to help break down the current stigmas surrounding them.  As the author, I am proud to say I am an Alcoholic, and I also suffer from General Anxiety Disorder.  The reason I discuss both is because for me, as for so many others I have met, they are so intimately coupled together that separating them would be impossible.  My anxiety led to my excessive drinking, which fueled my anxiety – thus a circle of perpetual helplessness and hopelessness was born.  I hope to share my experiences so that others suffering from addiction and mental health issues can identify, share, and either seek or continue treatment.  It is also my hope to help family and friends who have a loved one suffering from these illnesses, whether it is to support them, or to offer guidance on what to do, or most importantly on what not to do.

I am not an expert in any of these fields, however I have been through rehabs, both inpatient and outpatient, detoxed in hospitals and alone (do not try this…trust me!), been in and out of (and back in) AA, relapsed, etc.  I think you get the point – I have an insider’s perspective on dealing with addiction and mental health issues.  This will not be a glorification of my, or anyone else’s, drinking or using days.  Instead this is an avenue to discuss what got me and others to where we were, how we climbed out of the hole of despair, and what to do, or not to do, when seeking recovery for yourself or someone you care about.

I also will be posting guest authors and links that hopefully help those who are suffering, or who love someone suffering, from addiction or mental health issues.  It is my hope that this helps others to better understand these disorders and diseases, that we break down the stigma associated with them, and that the reading is entertaining and informative.