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In a city as diverse and vibrant as Chicago, the struggle against substance use disorders (SUD) is an ongoing battle that affects a significant portion of the population, especially African Americans, Hispanics, and Latinos. SUD doesn't discriminate—it touches lives across all demographics, neighborhoods, and backgrounds. CRCC recognizes this challenge and has initiated a powerful campaign aimed at sharing recovery stories and resources to foster hope and resilience in the face of addiction.
This initiative revolves around collecting and featuring recovery stories from individuals with diverse backgrounds. By amplifying the voices of African Americans, Hispanics, and Latinos in SUD recovery, the campaign aims to inspire others who may be struggling with addiction. These stories will be shared as part of a campaign alongside crucial resources. Please help us squash stigma and inspire hope by sharing your recovery story.
Sober since 2019
"Hi, my name is Christopher, and I have 4 years in recovery. What helped me overcome my problems was to surround myself with good people. The most helpful advice I can give is when you don't know where you are going, get behind someone who does."
Sober since 2023
"My name is Dana. I am 40 years old and started using hard drugs in 2012. My addiction didn't start to get better until 2023. Today, I can say I have not used for nine months. I feel great, and I get the rights to my kids in March. I feel strong and worthy. All I need to do is take one day at a time."
Chicago Recovery Community Member
“Hi, my name is Alice. I started drinking at a very young age - around 11 or 12 years old. I went to rehab and finished it and gave my life to God. I have relapsed a few times since but here I am and today, I can say I’m in a good place. I have family and friends, and a man that loves me and supports me."
Chicago Recovery Community Member
“I'm in recovery and willing to do everything that's necessary to remain willing to keep moving forward. I take it one day at a time. I'm currently working a great job as an Administrative Assistant and Peer Support Specialist while staying focused on prayer and my recovery.”
Sober since 2008
"For my recovery, I pray to my high power, stay connected, and got a sponsor make. Today, I've been in 15 yrs,10 months and 9 days."
Sober since 2018
"I've been in recovery since 2018 and I pray, meditate to higher power, and support others in recovery. At my lowest point, I was reduced down to the animalistic level. God's grace and mercy brought me out."
Sober since 1989
“I've been in recovery since 1989, but I'll never forget the pain and the first half of the first step (powerless over my addiction). At my low point, getting high was no longer fun, it became a painful way of life. I surrendered, when I didn't know what it meant, the more I gave in to doing whatever was asked of me, the better things became."
Sober since 2016
"I'm a Mexican American gay woman in long-term recovery. What that means to me is I have a reason every day to work on being my best self. I was fortunate enough to be able to survive some of the darkest times in my life to now in my recovery, with the help of amazing organizations, fellowships, friends and family to LIVE A FULL LIFE TODAY. I am proud to be a person in recovery and my positive message to anyone struggling is that recovery is possible. Despite the darkness and fear I felt in my lowest hour, I can live in the light of this beautiful life grateful for today.
Sober since 2008
“My sobriety date is July 16, 2023. At my lowest, I weighed 80 lbs and faced a terrifying moment in the emergency room down south when my breathing trouble revealed a spot on my lungs. Despite this scare, I continued down a destructive path with drug use back in Chicago. My family, exhausted by my dishonesty and self-destructive behavior, took me to Cook County Emergency room where I stayed overnight. Tests confirmed cocaine in my system, leading to my referral to Haymarket for treatment. That's where my journey to recovery began. After over 100 days, I found my way onto The Wright Path with God’s guidance.
Arriving here felt daunting, but I began to listen, follow instructions, and slowly, my world brightened again. Recovery matters immensely, and I’m grateful for the acceptance I found here. Throughout my life and various recovery institutions across different cities, I’ve never gained as much knowledge and tools as I have now. To quote Maya Angelou, 'And still I rise.'
Chicago Recovery Community Member
"My name is Cortez Givens, and I've been on the journey of recovery for 10 years now. At the start of 2023, I found myself at rock bottom. I lost my career, my family, and my home due to poor decisions and destructive patterns. This led me to a point of homelessness, having to return to Chicago with absolutely nothing.
Despite those challenging times, I found support and a turning point with CRCC.
Their guidance didn't just help me secure employment; it taught me how to sustain it. CRCC treated me like family and equipped me with tools to face life without falling back into harmful habits. This experience has been nothing short of life-changing, showing me a new path forward."
Sober since 1991
"“After being clean for 32 years I still make meetings, work steps, talk to my sponsor, and I have 8 women that I help through the 12 steps. I go to clean & sober events, and I surround myself around recovering people every day. I don't go around old people, places, and things. That is how I stay clean & sober.
My lowest point in my life is when I was shot 3 times by a male that wanted my drugs. I would not give up the drugs, so he shot me and left me for dead. But God's grace and mercy saved my life. When on the operating table I saw the white light, and I begin to think about my children, who would raise them if I died on this table. 3 days later I woke in intensive care, and my life begin because God gave me another chance at life.
I live life to the fullest today 32 years later. Mother, wife, grandmother and great-grand-mother at 62 years young."
Sober since 2000
"My journey started in 2016 with alcohol. My husband had died I didn't know how to deal with it, so I turned to alcohol. At first it was ok. Then I had to do it to live - it was like I had to do it just to start my day. It began interrupting other areas of my life my weight. I went from150lbs to 100lbs quickly. It began bothering my health it was downhill from there. I began getting embarrassed, so I started drinking alone. Even then it looked as if I had been in the house with five or six people outside of myself I had enough I said GOD please help me and he did. I checked myself into a treatment center and that's where I came in contact with Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition. They have been my biggest support then and now. I learned about my disease they helped me. I'm not gone lie and tell anyone it was easy but it does get easier. I wouldn't trade anything for my gift, my peace. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Anything worth fighting for isn't easy. It gets easier as time pasts. Give yourself a chance give your chance a chance. Don't let the disease win anymore battles. I'm Tyrena I'm a Proud Recovering Alcoholic. I'm Stigma Free. I'm Happy,Joyous,and, Free.There is light at the end of the tunnel.
"At my lowest point if I didn't have alcohol I would start withdrawals and have alcoholic seizures. My life was a mess, I couldn't take care of myself or my son. I couldn't keep a job. My family and friends didn't want anything to do with me because they never knew what version of me the would get. I couldn't keep a job. My life was a mess to say the very least. I woke up one day and just knew if I continued living the way I was... I was going to die , and probably sooner than later. I checked myself into detox/rehab where I stayed for 38 day. I knew I couldn't go back to life as I knew it so I went into sober living for women. I started going to daily AA meeting sometimes 2-3 a day. There is no big secret it's really simple you have to surrender. Also you have to follow the suggestions from the people who are winning their battle with addiction. Don't use. Go to meetings. Get a sponsor. Work the 12 steps. Stay away from old people, places and things. And start giving yourself a break and forgive yourself. And be grateful!! "
"At my lowest point I was homeless and living in a shelter. A nice reverend to me under her wing and introduced me to a lady named Ms.Dora. Ms.Dora introduced me to recovery. Today I live in a woman's sober living house. I go to AA daily. I work with my sponsor. I talk with others about recovery daily. I am grateful for my recovery and my second chance at life. Anyone who is struggling with drugs and alcohol can have a better life if he or she REALLY wants one. There is no big secret it's really simple you have to surrender. Also you have to follow the suggestions from the people who are winning their battle with addiction. Don't use. Go to meetings. Get a sponsor. Work the 12 steps. Stay away from old people, places and things. And start giving yourself a break and forgive yourself. And be grateful!! Those are the things I have been doing and every day it gets easier."
"If I can get clean, so can you. The first thing I did was stop using drugs. I got a sponsor and began working steps. I make NA meetings and I do service work.
I have six years, my clean date is 12/16/17. I had lost everything and ended up living in a dog park in a tent. One day I was at my lowest point and called out, 'HELP ME GOD.'
Then I went to treatment and I've been clean ever since. And now I'm living my best life."
"Thirty-one years, eleven months. Hello, my name is Jeff, and I am an addict. On March 14, 1992, I stole $60 from my baby sister and helped her look for it. After we couldn't find it, I went out and bought some crack and attempted to get high. I say 'attempted' because of the shame and guilt that I felt because of stealing my sister's money, I could not get high. After I came back inside, I sat down on the couch and my mother sat next to me and asked me, 'Where did she go wrong?' Well, that really hit me hard, and I told her that she didn't and that I made the decision to start getting high and smoking crack. So the next morning, 3/15/92, I went into treatment for the last time and haven't looked back since. Thank God for NA and all that it has allowed me to do in my recovery. My mother was a very important part of me getting and staying clean."
"Today, I make meetings, surround myself with people who are just like me and faced addiction but found a way out. Today, I have a sponsor who believes in me and helps me in my recovery. Today, I share about how I am feeling instead of trying to numb how I feel. I have a loving God of my understanding who leads and guides me. I was at my lowest after I had lost my kids and my mother. I couldn’t imagine that I would be this addicted to something that caused me to lose my children shortly after my mom passed away, and she was my rock. I knew then I had to stop using; I just didn’t know how. But with a lot of prayers, a made-up mind, and some willingness to change, I made a decision to get some help. And today, I am now a responsible mother, employee, and a sister and friend again. I have a new way to live and give back whenever I can. I now know what it feels like to live again. Happy, joyful, and free. I have been in recovery two years and two months."
"I learned to trust God and to lean not to my own understanding. I learned that I never 'have' to use again, no matter how I feel, what I think, or what external circumstances I'm confronted with. I learned that it is okay to ask for help, and the importance of being honest, humble, and vulnerable with others I trust. I also learned the importance of giving back the love, generosity, open-mindedness, patience, care, compassion, and concern that was given to me. I am the founder and director of Our House of Blessings recovery homes for women who experience challenges related to substance abuse and/or mental health challenges. Helping others gives me purpose and helps me to maintain a healthier lifestyle. I also exercise and eat healthy. I've been clean and in the ongoing process of recovery for 29 years and 9 months. At my lowest point, I was in prison after having walked away from a management career at General Motors, my family, and my career plans because of my crack cocaine addiction. I robbed myself of my dignity, self-respect, self-worth, and sense of self."
"I don't use no matter what, one day at a time, 23 years in recovery.
I lost my husband & my oldest daughter; I still didn't use.
I trust God through any and all my affairs."
July 1, 2019
Drugs and alcohol were introduced to me at a very young age, leading to terrible decisions that eventually landed me in jail. My family was displaced from the West Town area due to gentrification, and I lost interest in school and couldn’t keep a job. I moved around constantly, trying to manage my addiction, but I kept losing everything. My alcoholism and drug use continued, leading me in and out of detox and treatment centers and causing harm to myself and others.
After an arrest, I went through St. Anthony’s psyche unit, Haymarket, and Salvation Army before arriving at the men’s Phoenix House. That’s where my recovery journey truly began. Through sponsorship, outpatient services, and recovery support, I started to rebuild my life. I also began my internship with the CRCC, which gave me a sense of purpose. Today, I do whatever it takes to stay sober. I am currently completing one of two internships and working toward my hours at the Serenity House in Addison, Illinois.
Recovery taught me that it’s about more than just abstinence—it’s about repairing harm, rebuilding trust, and finding new purpose. Fighting to regain custody of my children was the hardest part, but my love for them kept me going. By following every requirement from DCFS and proving I could provide a safe home, I showed real change.
The treatment program helped me confront the root causes of my addiction and build a stronger foundation. Regaining custody was proof that determination and hard work can lead to real change. My hope is that my story shows others it’s never too late to rebuild and that every step forward is worth it.
"I've learned to live my life according to spiritual principles. I continue working to improve my relationship with God, always striving to be a better person and kind to all mankind.
I didn't know I needed to stop using until I was in treatment. My low point was living at animalistic levels. I didn't want to look in the mirror anymore.
My mother was in recovery, and that helped me get through my low point."
Today, I’m grateful to my higher power for helping me live one day at a time without using drugs. With the support of my fellowship, sponsor, and network, I can stay clean and face challenges without turning to substances. Staying in the moment helps me handle problems and live a happier, healthier life.
Before recovery, I was in a deep depression. I had burned bridges with the people who loved me most, disappointed my son, and was close to losing my job. I felt hopeless and alone, unable to see a way out. My higher power was with me all along—I just didn’t know how to see it. Now, with 9 years, 5 months, and 10 days clean, I’m grateful for the chance to rebuild my life with purpose and hope.
"You may not understand it now, but it's never too late to change your life around. Many have been where you are today.
I thought getting clean was impossible until I became teachable, found a sponsor, and started attending meetings regularly. I quit smoking cigarettes, eat healthily, get plenty of rest, and exercise.
I have been sober since 05/30/1996. I was incarcerated for three weeks in the Oakland, California county jail on May 29, 1996. Narcotics Anonymous helped me cope during this time. Despite previous failures, I knew NA offered an alternative path to a new way of life."
Hi, I'm Yolanda Neeley, and I just celebrated 5 years in recovery on July 22, 2024! 🎉 It hasn't been an easy road, and right now, my biggest challenge is fighting to keep my two youngest children. But with the support of my family, my children, and my unwavering belief in my higher power, I'm determined not to lose this battle.
My advice to anyone still struggling is this: "Stay focused on your sobriety and the outcome you are looking for. There’s a better life waiting for you!"
Hi, I’m Christy, and I’ve been in recovery since October 7, 2017. At my lowest point, I hated myself and what my life had become. I drank because I always felt less than, and alcohol helped me escape my thoughts. My life revolved around drinking, and I felt utterly hopeless. The turning point came when I finally surrendered and accepted the help that was offered to me.
Today, I understand that I am completely powerless once I put alcohol or drugs into my system. This realization has been crucial in my recovery journey. I now have a strong relationship with God and have built wonderful connections with people in the recovery program. I’m blessed with two wonderful sons and a loving husband, and I make it a priority to attend meetings regularly. Exercise has also become a significant part of my routine, benefiting my mental, physical, and spiritual health."
"Hi, I'm Barbara, and I've been clean for 35 years. I never intended to stay clean this long, but as the days passed, life got so much better that I chose to remain in recovery. I’ve gained a new way to cope with life's challenges—those moments that used to send me running to drugs and alcohol. Now, I make meetings, talk about how I feel, and find hope and the support I need to get through anything. My life is filled with new friends, a sense of purpose, and peace I never knew was possible.
At my lowest point, I was diagnosed as HIV positive, and I thought my life was over. I was devastated, ashamed, and my self-esteem was shattered. But my Higher Power, along with other members in recovery, held my hand and showed me a different perspective. Recovery has changed my entire outlook on life. I remain grateful every single day and take it one day at a time. If I can do it, so can you! Recovery works, and it will work for you too."
"My name is Bridget, and my clean date is May 12, 2007. God has blessed me with 17 years in this new way of life. If there's one thing I've learned along the way, it's to never give up on yourself. No matter how much you struggle, keep coming back, because you are worth it.
Today, I maintain a healthier lifestyle by taking care of myself—spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I stay honest with my sponsor, go to meetings, do my step work, and avoid people and places that don’t feed my spirit. When I don’t know what to do or I’m not feeling my best, I lean on my network for support.
Recovery has given me a new life, and if I can get through the darkest times, so can you. Keep showing up for yourself—it works if you work it!" 🙌💜
“My name is Tom J., and my sobriety date is January 1, 2021. I started using drugs at just 11 years old, and by 16, I was on the hard stuff. That life led me down some dark and destructive roads—roads that brought me in and out of many prisons. My lowest point came in December 2020, just after I was released from serving five years. I chose to use again and overdosed. I’ll never forget what happened next—on January 1, 2021, I felt God asking me, ‘Are you done trying to kill yourself?’ That moment changed everything. I said yes.”
“Since that day, I’ve been rebuilding my life with the guidance of God, my sponsor, and the incredible friends I’ve made in recovery.”
"I encourage anyone who is struggling with addiction to know that it is possible to overcome. Strength from God, help from others, and prayer made all the difference for me. Making meetings regularly, meeting with my sponsor weekly, and connecting with members of A.A. daily have helped me stay grounded and focused. Today, my life has true meaning, and I’m living one day at a time.”
“I’m proud to work for one of the best organizations in Chicago, helping to end the stigma of addiction and support our community in finding a better way to live.”
"My recovery journey began when I hit rock bottom. I was homeless, broke, and unemployed. My family was disappointed in me, and I had been hospitalized due to alcohol abuse. Life just kept getting worse. I couldn’t go a day without drinking to calm my nerves, and I felt like I was drowning in sorrow. I didn’t know how to stop the cycle, and I was lost.
But one day, I decided I wanted to change. I committed myself to the recovery lifestyle, and slowly but surely, things started to turn around. Programs like CRCC’s workforce development and living in a recovery home have been a blessing. Through their support, I gained the skills I needed to conduct myself in interviews and build confidence. Today, I’m proud to say I’m no longer unemployed, and I owe so much of that to the people at Chicago Recovering Communities.
Recovery gave me the chance to rebuild my life. I’ve gone from being depressed and out of place to having purpose and hope. I love life now. Recovery brought me closer to God, helped me find myself, and showed me that even at my lowest point, change was possible."
"My lowest point was when my kids and I were living in my mother’s house, completely defeated by addiction," Barbara shares. "I had been off heroin three times before but didn’t understand that one was too many and a thousand was never enough. A single bad decision led me back to using for ten years, ending in six months in prison. It wasn’t until a friend introduced me to Haymarket that I finally found a way out. I walked into detox on October 18, 1992, and that was the start of my new life."
Recovery for me is a way of life.I’ve been clean for over 32 years, and my life is full of blessings. I have amazing friends, and we travel, work, and make meetings together. I give back by helping others, serving on convention committees, and working with my sponsor and support group. Most of all, I owe my life to the God of my understanding. To anyone struggling, don’t give up—it’s easier to stay here than it is to get here."
"My lowest point was not seeing a life beyond using or even making it past 21," Skylar recalls. "I had moments of clarity when I got clean and started working a 12-step program—I could feel the freedom. But I kept slipping back, even after my beautiful baby boy was born. It wasn’t just the drugs I was chasing; it was a man. I gave him all of my power, and honestly, quitting the relationship was harder than quitting the drugs. I started attending different 12-step meetings just to keep an eye on him, but what I found instead was my home. Leaving that relationship was the most freeing thing I’ve ever done."
"For anyone still struggling, I want you to know that 'the only way out is through,'" Skylar shares. "That line from recovery literature has carried me through some of the darkest days. Time and time again, I faced situations I thought I couldn’t survive—but I did. Not only that, I did it without using drugs. Today, I attend meetings, maintain relationships with people who truly matter, and try my best to do the next right thing. Recovery has given me a life I never thought possible, and if you’re reading this, please don’t give up. You can make it through, too."
My lowest point was when I relapsed and lost my great job. Everything I had worked for seemed to disappear overnight, and I ended up living at the Salvation Army. It was a harsh reality to face, but it was also the wake-up call I needed. I knew I couldn’t keep living that way. CRCC played a huge role in helping me rebuild my life—they didn’t just offer support; they helped me become employable again. Having that second chance gave me the hope and determination to keep moving forward.
For anyone still struggling, I want you to know that it’s never too late to turn things around. Recovery isn’t just something you do for a little while—it’s for life. Today, I focus on doing the next right thing and staying connected to the support systems that helped me get back on my feet. CRCC showed me that even after hitting rock bottom, you can rebuild a life worth living. If you’re reading this, just remember—you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to start again.
"My lowest point was losing my son. That kind of pain is unimaginable, and there were moments when I didn’t think I could survive it. What helped me through was the support of others who had also lost a child—they understood the pain I couldn’t put into words. My higher power and the love of my friends carried me when I couldn’t carry myself. I leaned into the fellowship, and I let others help me heal. Those connections reminded me that I wasn’t alone, even in my darkest moments."
"For anyone still struggling, I want to say—don’t be afraid to ask for help," Lynn shares warmly. "It’s okay to not have all the answers, and it’s okay to lean on others. I’ve been in recovery for 32 years, and what keeps me going is staying in touch with my sponsor, making Zoom meetings, and maintaining a relationship with my higher power. Recovery isn’t just about putting down the substance—it’s about building a life with people who truly care. Keep reaching out, keep showing up, and trust that it gets better. There’s hope, even on the hardest days."
"My lowest point was when I was homeless, having lost everything—including myself. I was consumed by pain and hopelessness, to the point where I didn’t want to go on. I remember dropping to my knees and praying, ‘I can’t keep doing this to myself! Please take this pain and the craving for one more away—I surrender!’ That moment of surrender changed everything. I started calling treatment centers one after another, desperate for a way out. When Gateway took me in, it felt like a lifeline I didn’t think I deserved. That was just over four months ago, and my life has been slowly transforming ever since."
"To anyone still struggling, I want you to know that as long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to find recovery," Sandra shares with a hopeful smile. "There is life after addiction, and anything is possible with a power greater than yourself and the determination to keep fighting. Today, I stay connected to that higher power, lean into the support of my recovery community, and remind myself daily that progress—not perfection—is what matters. If you’re reading this, please don’t give up. Surrender isn’t about weakness—it’s the first step toward freedom."
"My lowest point was on September 12, 1993, on the West Side of Chicago, sitting in a basement with a greasy jar of alcohol and a burned cotton ball floating at the bottom," Frances recalls. "My chest was hurting, but I couldn’t stop. Eventually, I drove myself to the hospital, where I found out I had suffered 3 to 4 small heart attacks that day. I was admitted and later transferred to the drug unit. Lying in that hospital bed, all I could think about was my three daughters—who would take care of them if I didn’t make it? That thought was my wake-up call. I wanted to live to see them grow up, and that desire became the spark that ignited my journey to recovery. Today, I’ve been in recovery for 30 years, and my life is unrecognizable from what it once was. During my stay in that drug unit, I was introduced to the 12-step program and was told I needed a sponsor with at least 10 years of sobriety. At first, I was angry, aggressive, and mentally distraught—I didn’t think I needed help from anyone. But I was wrong. Now, I’m a helper and a sponsor myself, living by the 12 principles in every area of my life."
My lowest point was when I relapsed and lost my car. It felt like everything I had worked for was slipping away, and the weight of that failure was almost too much to handle. Getting involved with John and the CRCC program changed everything. Seeing someone who had walked a similar path and come out stronger gave me hope that I could recover too. Their support helped me see that my story wasn’t over yet.
For anyone still struggling, I want you to know that recovery is possible. It’s a lifelong journey, but it’s one worth taking. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that it’s never too late to start again. Today, I stay connected to the support system at CRCC and focus on doing the next right thing. I’ve realized that even after a setback, you can find your way back with the right help and a little faith. Keep going, because your story isn’t over either.
My lowest point was when I was homeless, unemployed, in an abusive relationship, and had a probation warrant hanging over me. I was completely broken—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Walking into Alcoholics Anonymous on October 8, 2003, was an act of desperation, but it became the start of a new life. I showed up with an open heart, an open mind, and a willingness to do whatever it took to change. That’s when I realized I needed God more than anything. Building a relationship with Him has been the foundation of my recovery ever since.
I believe that if I can do it, anyone can. I’ve learned that you can’t cure a spiritual sickness with a natural solution—you need God. Finding people who wanted the same thing made all the difference. I got a sponsor and let her help me because I knew I couldn’t do it alone. Today, I follow the same steps I did back then. I stay open to change, help other women find their way, and serve wherever I’m needed. To anyone still struggling, I just want to say—keep your heart and mind open. There’s hope, and if you’re willing to do the work, your life can change too.
My lowest point came in December 2023 when I was hospitalized for Delirium Tremens. Before that, I faced two charges in Texas that could have put me in prison for years, but by some miracle, they were reduced to misdemeanors, and I served seven months in jail. It wasn’t until I ended up in the psych ward that I realized I couldn’t keep living that way. After battling addiction since 2009 and facing death more times than I can count, I knew I was running out of chances. What saved me was an outpatient program, weekly therapy, and the support of my family and friends. I got sober in January 2024, and my life has been different ever since. For me, exercise has been a big part of my sobriety. Recovery also reignited my motivation to go back to school. I’m working on my bachelor’s in Social Work and hope to earn a master’s in Public Health. If you’re feeling trapped, remember—recovery is possible. Surrender, trust the process, and keep moving forward, one day at a time.
My lowest point was when I was a young single mom of five, trapped in abuse and battling addiction. I was overwhelmed with shame and guilt, searching for love but finding pain. Everything changed when I found Narcotics Anonymous. The fellowship didn’t just help me get clean—it gave me a life worth living. Through NA, I found love, a husband, a home, and the courage to go back to school. Today, my greatest blessings are my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who remind me every day that recovery is a gift.
To anyone still struggling, keep coming back. Acceptance is the key. If an addict can stop using and find a new way of life, so can you. I’ve been clean for 8 years, 3 months, and 17 days, and I still go to meetings. Recovery isn’t just about staying clean—it’s about building a life worth living. So keep pushing forward, stay connected, and never lose hope—because a better life is possible.