Accountable Member Michele Shares Her Story of Love, Loss, and Addiction Recovery 

I was what I would call a “ normal drinker” for many years. When my husband and I retired to Arizona, everyone always gathered in the evening for a drink, the saying out there was “when the mountains turn pink, it’s time for a drink”

My parents were always evening drinkers, and so I thought it was normal. When I’d walk around on recycle day, I could always justify it that there were more alcohol bottles, in other peoples recycle than mine. Then my husband came down with a terrible cancer. It was called anaplastic, thyroid cancer. Very rare, only one percent of the population ever gets it. We fought hard for 5 1/2 months, even living at Mayo for six weeks. But it was an uphill battle not to be won.I started dating Bob when I was 14, married him at 20 and by this time we had been together a total of 52 years between dating and marriage. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was extremely codependent. Without him, my world fell apart, and I really didn’t want to go on. I crawled in a bottle for four years even though I tried AA from time to time, it never worked. 

Finally, I got to rehab in Wisconsin and began my uphill battle. Thank God for all the caring, wonderful people at The Manor and their insistence that I do IOP. By the time I left The Manor, they had gained my trust, and I knew they had my best interest at heart. They connected me with You Are Accountable which was one of the best decisions I made after attending The Manor. The people with You Are Accountable are so caring, understanding, and compassionate. They accepted me unconditionally and made me feel very loved.
It has been a journey, but I realized Easter Sunday as I was driving home from my sons house that I didn’t have to stop to pick up alcohol on the way home. What a relief that was! I could drive by that liquor store and keep my self-esteem intact.
What a gift, Matt, AJ, and Elizabeth have been in this journey. I will be forever grateful to have connected with the program, You Are Accountable. I am finally feeling my feet beneath me and getting back some dignity. I could not have done it without their love and support.