My name is John and I’m a drug addict.  For almost 25 years I was an active, using addict.  Today I am a recovering addict and a Christ follower.

I was what some people call a “functional” addict.  For 25 years I drank and used drugs on a daily basis while maintaining a career and a family.  I used for many reasons.  I used to celebrate and to mourn.  I used when I was tired and when I wanted to calm down.  I used all the time because that’s what I did.  Even when I acknowledged that my drug use (alcohol is a drug) was becoming a problem I continued to use.  I thought I had to, I thought I couldn’t quit.

My greatest fear in life, so far, was that that my loved ones would not give their hearts to Christ.

I grew up in New England, the middle of five children.  My Dad practiced medicine and my Mom ran the show at home.  There were many Christmases interrupted by the ringing of the telephone as Dad was called away to attend to business.  All of us took this in stride.  In addition, my Dad was very involved in the community – a master of ceremonies extraordinaire, a Kiwanis leader, a gifted musician and acclaimed fundraiser for area fine arts organizations and venues.  Looking back on it now, I realize that I admired this busy and distant father, but really loved my Mom.

Life was good. We had recently celebrated the wedding of our daughter in a beautiful outdoor autumn setting.  What a fun day with friends and family ending as we  watched our new son-in-law and daughter ride away in a 1937 Rolls Royce, leaving for a Caribbean honeymoon and a new life together.
Now, six weeks later, we had driven five hours to visit them for the first time since they married. We had a wonderful dinner with them and his parents at the parents’ home. After dinner, while sitting in the living room talking, I began feeling what I initially thought was indigestion; but as it continued, I realized it was too high for indigestion.