For most of my adult life, alcohol controlled me.
I started drinking when I was 16, and over the years it became something much bigger than I ever imagined. What started as drinking became an addiction that affected my decisions, my future, and the people around me. Eventually, my choices caught up with me, and I found myself in and out of jail, and now I’m on Drug Court with restitution that I am still working to pay off.
I’m not proud of the person I was during that time. I made mistakes, and I take responsibility for them. I don’t want to make excuses or pretend that my actions didn’t have consequences.
But I also don’t want my worst years to define the rest of my life.
Today, I am 26 years old and one year sober.
That year has been one of the hardest and most important years of my life. I’ve been working to stay sober, take responsibility for my past, and build a future that I can actually be proud of. Recovery hasn’t magically fixed everything, but it has given me something I didn’t have before: hope.
One of the biggest things standing between me and being able to fully move forward is my remaining restitution. I am asking for help because paying it off would mean more than simply getting rid of a financial burden. It would give me the opportunity to put this chapter of my life behind me and continue moving forward without the weight of my past constantly holding me back.
I know there are countless people who need help, and I don’t expect anyone to owe me anything. If you are able to donate, even a small amount, I would be incredibly grateful. Every dollar will go toward paying my restitution and helping me take another step toward rebuilding my life.
And if you aren’t able to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much to me.
I’ve spent years losing pieces of my life to alcohol. I’ve spent the last year fighting to get those pieces back.
I’m not asking you to forget the mistakes I’ve made. I’m asking for a chance to show that I can become better than the person who made them.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and thank you to everyone who has supported me through recovery. I genuinely appreciate it more than I can put into words.
