LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

From prehistoric time to modern day, certain cultures would require their young boys to embark on a journey/passage to manhood by facing indifference, adversity, fear and themselves.  These rituals may have varied from custom to custom, but they all signified the same goal.
         

With each of these journeys a young male had two choices, the high road or the low one.  Embellished with difficulties, as well as physical and mental anguish, the high road was an uphill battle that discouraged many a young man.  Thus, several would be intrigued by the ease of the low road.
           

My name is Gene and I’m an alcoholic and an addict.  At the beginning of my passage; family, coaches and educators all had high expectations for my future.  But that future meant a hard commitment to athletics and many hours with my nose in a book.  However, that wasn’t as attractive to me as screaming through the party life drinking and using without a care in the world.
           

Without realizing it, I had chosen the low road.  Sure, the beginning of the trip was great!  New highs that made me feel invincible and people who I thought were my friends to show me the way.  But as I traveled, like a new car loses its luster, so did the first high.  But I wanted, no, I needed that “first high” feeling back.  But there was no going back.  Now, there was a hunger to feed.  A hunger for booze and whatever I could get my hands on to numb the pain, to fill the emptiness.
           

As I continued down this path, the grade seemed to get steeper, and more rocky. So much so, I lost complete control of myself and stumbled into an abyss.  Here there was no light, no home, no friends, no life. There was only the hunger.
           

Just when I thought the only way out was at the end of a gun barrel, God blessed me with a side road: Alcoholics Anonymous!  There I saw the same faces that I had seen in my own mirror.  Faces that were tired and worn.  But in their eyes was a gleam of satisfaction, joy, and hope. 
           

My name is Gene and I am an alcoholic, and I finally have hope and vigor again.  Thanks to my brothers and sisters of A.A.  We are here to tell you there is hope and a light at the end of the tunnel.  We found the path and we would love to show you how to get there.  God Bless!

-Gene R.