Biography/Personal Statement
My name is Bill and I am an alcoholic. I have to start with
that, because it is the most important thing in my life, remembering
that I am an alcoholic. I was born in Newport News, Virginia and spent
the majority of my childhood in Dhahizan, Saudi Arabia. I started
using and drinking at the age of 12. The feeling I got from my first
drunk convinced me that alcohol was the magic elixir, the solution to
all my problems. I pursued that feeling for 20 years. My story is
typical: DWI’s (3) Rehabs (13) Failed Marriages(2) Lost jobs(4). I
crossed the line into active alcoholism when I was 16 and resigned
myself to the fact that I was an alcoholic. After 13 years bouncing in
and out of AA, Rehabs etc.. I was at the “jumping off place”.
Alcohol and crack cocaine had brought me to the brink of death, no
job, no wife, no life,…. no soul.
Physically broken, having psychotic episodes
(these are fun), mentally deranged and spiritually empty, I became
“as willing as the dying can be”.
I came to Trenton to sleep on a friends couch and
get sober. I went to AA meetings after a stint in the Psyche ward and
kept going every day. I got a sponsor, began to pray, I listened to
what was suggested and
followed those suggestions. I was told and understood for the fist
time that I knew nothing about sobriety. I began to ask for help, to
learn, to become teachable and have slowly developed a connection with
God. I have faith today. I know there is nothing, no situation or
problem in my life that taking a drink wont make infinitely worse. I
use the first 164 pages of AA’s Big Book as a guide to life and I
ask when I am uncertain.
I came to Tabor House out of a failing marriage,
just a few days shy of my one year sobriety anniversary. I needed a
safe, sober and loving environment. I needed to give of myself, to
help others, to escape the bondage of self. I have found theses things
and much more. I have found a community of men who are striding
towards God, sobriety and a new life, helping one another along the
path.
Today I am a child of God, working towards
becoming the man I can be, the man that God wants me to be. In
order to stay sober I do the simple things that have been suggested to
me, on a daily basis, and
hope by so doing I will continue to grow.
I was recently accepted into the graduate program
at Princeton University and, God willing, will begin my Phd in
Chemistry this Fall. Another miracle by virtue of not taking a drink
and a drug and working the program of Alcoholics Anonymous One Day At
A Time.
Peace
Joy and Love to all, Bill.
