NAME: Rick S.

SOBRIETY DATE: March 2, 2001

Once again I was facing a Judge - something I had done more times than I can remember. He was talking about sending me to prison, and I had already served a couple of terms in County Jail. In addition to jail, I was sentenced twice to a Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Program. After reviewing my case, the Judge stated that it looked like I had made a concerted effort at trying to stay sober this time; however, I failed again. For 26 years, I put just about anything into my body to get me out of here and now - for the sole purpose of not having to feel the way I felt. I knew I was powerless over my disease, which is Alcoholism.

For some reason, the Judge decided to give me one last chance at achieving recovery. He told me if I failed again, prison was definitely in my future. He also said I was to live in a Sober Living Home for 6 months. I remember leaving the courthouse thinking my life was over.

I moved into the Puente House within a week after I was sentenced. My experience there is one that I will never forget. During my stay at Puente House, I was introduced Alcoholics Anonymous, sponsorship, commitments, getting out of myself to help another human being, how to give and receive love - all of which I later learned are the tools I must utilize to remain sober and happy. I was also taught how to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. These are all values in which I was experiencing for the first time, and I came to realize that these values are truly what make my life worth living.

In the present day, my life has changed so much that I often wonder if it's really mine (of course it is); however, it is so different than what was "normal" to me. I'm no longer on probation, and I havenÕt seen a Judge in over two years. I have a wife and two children to whom I am a husband and father. My wife is currently pregnant with our third child. I have a job which I enjoy going to everydayÑon time. IÕve been told I'm an excellent employee. As a direct result of "being a good friend", I can count on the friends I have today. I never cared or thought about being a good friend before sobriety.

Life has ups and downs, but I've learned how to live life on life's terms -one day at a time; facing life head-on as opposed to running away and hiding from it. Nothing in my life today seems too much to handle; however, I didn't come to this point on my own - I had to get in touch with a Higher Power to guide me (as long as I let him).

In closing, I want to express the fact that through Puente House introducing me to Alcoholics Anonymous, I have found a freedom and happiness which make my life worthwhile - something I yearned for my entire life.