In this raw and deeply personal share, Charlie—an alcoholic and addict with a tumultuous past—opens up about his decades-long struggle with addiction, identity, and recovery.

From his first drink at age five to his last, which finally made him confront his self-destructive behavior, Charlie’s story is one of repeated cycles of sobriety and relapse, self-sabotage, and hard-won redemption.

He recounts a life marked by childhood trauma, failed relationships, military service, prison time, and a harrowing legal battle that forced him to flee to Mexico.

Despite multiple attempts at recovery, it wasn’t until he found an online secular AA group during COVID that he truly began to heal—this time, with honesty about his marijuana use and a rejection of rigid definitions of sobriety.

Now in his 60s, Charlie reflects on the peace he’s found: a loving marriage, self-respect, and the ability to face life without substances. His message is clear—don’t wait as long as he did. Recovery is possible, but it requires honesty, self-acceptance, and doing "the next right thing."

A powerful reminder that there’s no one "right" way to get sober—just your way.