NAME: Cindy L.

SOBRIETY DATE: October 10, 2002

After four years, many treatment centers, and eventually jail, I was losing my battle with drug addiction, and alcoholism. I found my way to Puente House via a nudge from the judge. I was sentenced to 6-months in a sober living, and after failing to stay sober in another house; my judge decided that I needed to be in the Puente House. It was here in this structured environment, that I finally was able to learn, in a way that I could understand, what was wrong with me, and what alcoholism really was. It was a disease that centered in my thinking, and with the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous I could do something about that. It was the Puente House that led me to AA, and AA that led me to the 12 steps. What made Puente House work for me was the wealth of information I gathered from Karl's Big Book study, mandatory women's meetings (for the ladies), step studies, workshops, speaker meetings, and of course the Earl meetings which seemed to tie everything up in a package that anyone could relate to. Through Puente House we were exposed to many people with quality sobriety who gave generously of their time. The house was full of people going through what I was going through, and we had a solution if we cared to use it.

I moved on from Puente House when my 6-months were up. Notice I said moved on.... I quit going to meetings, I stopped interacting with people from the Puente House, and AA. After 2 years of sobriety, I relapsed, and no matter how badly I wanted to stop I could not stay stopped. Even with everything I had learned from Puente House. I was experiencing all of the pitiful and incomprehensible demoralizing things that are so much a part of this disease. Somehow (thank God) I made it back to Puente House, where I got another chance to turn my life around. This time I stayed for 4 years. I was a resident for 90 days, and eventually became the manager of the women's house. This is an experience that will be with me for the rest of my life. I got to be a part of something bigger than me. I was graced with the opportunity to see broken people regain their lives, their families, their dignity, and self respect. I will always be grateful for the Puente House, and I am honored to be considered among the alumni there.

With Heart Felt Gratitude,
Cindy L.