Hi! My name is Michael C and I am an Alcoholic! I was admitted into treatment at lakeview on May 1, 2006. I was discharged on June 6, 2006. For my friends out there who attended treatment with me, I was the long haired guy everyone referred to as “Rock Star”! My experience at lakeview taught me how to get and stay sober. I learned about the disease of alcoholism and also that I was not alone. Before I went into treatment I was very depressed and extremely suicidal. I had spent the most part of the last 25 yrs using alcohol and drugs. The first 15 years were wild and crazy and even sometimes fun. The last 10 yrs I used just to feel normal. the last 3 yrs I became depressed and suicidal, and the last year I became extremely suicidal. My Higher Power forced me to call Lakeview although I didn’t know it at the time. My Higher Power has a plan for me and I almost messed all of that up. When I went to Lakeview I learned to be Honest, Openminded, and Willing. My best thinking almost got me into the morgue. While I was at lakeview I decided, with the help of my Higher Power, to get this thing right the first time. Lakeview began helping me to fill my tool box with the right tools to get me back into and enjoying life. The day after I was discharged, I attended my first AA meeting in my home town in SE Texas. I have attended meetings every day since May 1, 2006 and I have learned that there is truth in the saying “Meeting Makers Make It”. I found an awesome home group with wonderful friends and my Higher Power even put my sponsor literally right in front of me. I have been through all twelve steps now and I have had a Psychic Change as well as a Spiritual Awakening. Life is getting better all the time. The promises in the Big Book are starting to come true and as the Big Book says I am utterly amazed. My life is centered around recovery and helping others, not just alcoholics and addicts. I have a wonderful fellowship of friends that genuinely care about my well being. I have gotten the respect of my family back through action not words. While i was at Lakeview it sometimes seemed like an eternity. In reality the time was faster than a blink. I am very grateful for Lakeview and what they have helped me to achieve so far. I am still considered a newcomer, but because of my Awakening, oldtimers find it hard to believe that I am a newcomer. Some people think that if all you do is recovery, then you need to get a life. I have a life in Alcoholics Anonymous and it is the best life I have ever known!
