A Shot Glass of Recovery Welcome back to A Shot Glass of Recovery! Whether you're a first-time listener to A Shot Glass of Recovery or a loyal member from my 2 Sober Chicks days, I’m glad you’re here. 🌟 paypal.me/AShotGlassofRecovery Welcome to the Speaker Series on A Shot Glass of Recovery. This podcast is a place for real stories, honest conversations, and recovery lived one day at a time. The views and opinions shared here are simply our own personal experiences. I like to welcome one of our own, Double N Jen, Jen from AA Solutions Seekers and the Beaches Home Group. Take it away, Jen. Thanks so much, Kelly. Hi, everyone. Jen, alcoholic. My sober date is October 6, 2024, and as of today I m 575 days sober. I grew up in Etobicoke with a dad who drank heavily despite being successful, and though I came from a good home, I struggled with anxiety, undiagnosed ADHD, and an eating disorder in my teens that led to multiple inpatient stays. Drinking became my way to feel comfortable and social, and it quickly took over my life. I married young, had a son after a long fertility journey, and tried to keep everything together while juggling a demanding career and a life that often revolved around alcohol. The loss of my dad to cancer in 2008 and the emotional toll of a controlling, verbally abusive marriage pushed me deeper into secrecy and resentment. Over the years, booze became a hidden, constant companion—sneaked into coffee cups, poured into water bottles, and timed around breastfeeding and parenting. After my marriage ended, my drinking escalated during the pandemic. I experienced painful lows: a suicide attempt, DUIs, job loss, and the traumatic discovery that a close friend had died by suicide in my home. By 2024, I was drinking all day every day—four bottles of wine and a mickey of vodka were my routine—and my life had unraveled. I hit rock bottom when family intervened, and my mom insisted I go to AA. I found AA on September 2, 2024, and though I stumbled at 30 days, I committed to the program: meetings, a sponsor, working the steps, and honest amends. Step Four helped me connect the dots of my resentments, self-pity, and character defects; Step Five was a powerful release; and Step Nine began the slow work of repairing relationships—especially with my son. I learned the hard truth: I cane powerless over alcohol, and the first drink is always the worst drink. Sobriety has brought tangible changes: better sleep, restored connections, meaningful work opportunities, and the daily practice of prayer, meditation, and service. But recovery isnypass pain; it lso brings ongoing challenges, like living with the consequences of the past and doing the daily inventory of Step Ten. I rely on my sponsor, my higher power, my dog Wrigley, and the rooms of AA to keep me honest and grounded. This is a story of shatteredness, accountability, and slow rebuilding. If you like to support the show, you can make a voluntary contribution through PayPal at A Shot Glass of Recovery. Every donation helps cover production costs and keeps these stories of hope and recovery coming. Thanks for listening, and I hope Jen story brings encouragement and connection to anyone who needs it.