JACS Library - Our Stories

JACS: Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others

JACS LIBRARY - OUR STORIES

Warren's Story

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Warren and I'm a recovering Jewish alcoholic and drug addict.

Eight years ago (Nov. 5, 87) I was taken away to the tiny hamlet of E--town. I was literally taken in a coma, in the back of a station wagon. My family was so tired of my nonsense by that time, that they didn't try to stop the action.

That was a long time ago. My Journey in recovery is so sweet and good. You can imagine how I jumped for joy when My brother e-mailed me your web site intro. Being Jewish so far from home and other Jewish people is very lonely at times. I really miss the yiddishkeit.

My last address was in Canarsie, Brooklyn. I mention that because I noticed your a Brooklyn person as well. YAY A Jewish connection and from Brooklyn too. What could be sweeter??? Not much.

I just sent my e-mail request to join your forum JACS. I find that I can never have too much recovery connections. I'm one of those guys that believe that what I did for my sobriety today, may not necessary work for me tomorrow. Looking forward to the forum and some sweet Jewish connections... Love and hugs in fellowship, I remain Warren B.

The rest of the story: I just received the letter from your list processor and became overwhelmed with information. What ever happened to keep it simple. Why all the rules and regs?

I hope I wont have to take a lie detector test next, as I'm locked in my house and surrounded by two feet of snow. The airports are closed and I cant afford the airfare to NYC.

Any way, you asked a few questions that I would be happy to answer. I live in a very small town in the Adirondack Mountains. part of New York State. Its not too far from White Face Mountain, not too far from Lake Placid. I'm originally from Brooklyn (Canarsie shore.)

I was shipped out of town in a drunken stupor after my second wife left me. My Mother and Dad earned their Black Belt in Ala-non, and learned to let go.

My daughters were getting engaged and married and were ashamed to have me attend their simchas. I showed up to the older girls Simcha and got stinking drunk. This took place after four days of self De-tox, alone and lonely, and scared. My married son was living here In E'town with his wife who he met in school and was from there. He came to Brooklyn to attend the affair and came to see me. He was appalled to see the condition I was in.

After cleaning me up (shower, shave, and plenty of perfume,) he took me to my daughter's simcha. Don't forget I had not eaten in four days. but I was so happy to see my oldest son that I got strong. I arrived to be greeted at the door by my two girls and a stiff warning about drinking. I smiled and assured them that I would be fine. Today, I look at that time with the understanding that my life was unmanageable and that I needed a higher power to restore my sanity. I saw the open bar at the far corner of the room and smiled to myself. I heard the band playing familiar music, and smiled some more.

The rest as they say, is history. I woke up in this place far away from home and got a new beginning. A second chance if you will. It hasn't been easy for me. During that early recovery stage, my second wife found me and started legal separation proceedings. My mother called and reminded me of the house and mortgage in Brooklyn, and what did I want to do about them?

I took all these problems to AA meetings all over the Mountain area. Meetings are 30 and 40 miles apart around here. In the fellowship I got a lot of answers. I discussed the many possibilities with my sponsor. I even took my troubles to the local alcohol abuse counseling center.

Every thing has worked out. I'm divorced. Didn't have to drink or drug over it. I have become a Zaida four times since that fateful night in Brooklyn and didn't have to celebrate by getting drunk.

My journey was hard, but at the same time sweet. The Big Book Of AA promised me a lot would take place on the positive side if all I did was keep coming back. I did and the promises all came true and are still coming true today.

Just for today, my life is wonderful and I wouldn't swap it for all the booze and drugs in the world. I hope I didn't take up too much time. Lets hear from some of you out there. I need to relate to other alcoholics too. That's how it works. Give to get back and keep.

Love and hugs instead of booze and drugs in fellowship I am Warren B

P.S. My younger brother (Who I have been estranged from for 20 years ) Found your web site page and some how got my e-mail address and sent your web site address to me. (New beginnings??????) Amen