F.E.A.R. My story of recovery from Alcoholism and Addiction

 My book is a moving story about a woman who survived alcoholism and addiction... and incarceration, finally finding freedom in recovery. Denial about who she was had her homeless, panhandling for booze and drug money, facing judges, in and out of jails and prisons and constantly running from herself. Eventually, the handcuffs went on for the last time. She learned while she was "away" how to "Stay Stopped." A new life bloomed slowly before her. She pushed away the fear that had always plagued her and allowed in the fellowship that would save her life.

It was never my intention to write a book.  I had begun to write short personal stories for my friends and family and I always kept a daily journal. One of my close friends in recovery has been extremely persistent in trying to convince me to turn my stories into a book. This book was  written to get her off my back. So, there you have it. This story is a section of my life as I best re-call it. Though it is a work of fiction, it is based on true events. 

If you are struggling with the pain of addiction, I understand, I've been there. I wanted to die. I couldn't stop drinking and drugging. I can promise you that your life can get better. I have a really good life. I never thought it was possible. To get to where I am today from where I was seems utterly impossible. So if that's where you are in your life, I wrote this book for you. I hope you read it.  There IS a way out. There is hope. Alcoholism and addiction recovery is possible for anyone.. Believe me, if I can do it, so can you.

Whitney actually came up with two pages of suggestions. Then she caught my attention with my favorite entry. But I didn't think readers would understand it...unless they had done some jail time!  My favorite? "Never Ever Step on the Bottom Bunk!" and this, my friends, is  the solemn truth.

After all the entries from many friends, it was my friend, sponsor and editor, Mare, who came up with the perfect name. F.E.A.R. is an enormously popular acronym in the recovery world. It has been spelled out in meeting rooms all over the world, and we knew our demographic would understand it. One of my favorites is "Forgot Everything's All Right." The one used most often is "False Evidence Appearing Real"  However, to most appropriately apply to my life it had to be F**K Everything and RUN! Or Face Everything and Recover. And that's exactly what I did, as you will see when you read the story. I do hope you enjoy  it. Now available on Amazon Books

My good friend Michelle came up with an awesome title, that may have captured buyers and readers attention simply because it would have aroused their curiosity. Any readers who have done time would have definitely gotten a chuckle out of it.  Her contest entry was "Circles and Squares". Are you curious? Go see if you can find it in the story!

Run, run, run...too afraid to face the consequences, that is all I ever did. This is the fun title page created by local Maui artist Gigi Cormier

How exciting to open the first box from Amazon.com and see the cover for the first time in print. The fun cover captures the book in it's entirety. Also created by a local Maui artist, the very talented Mr. Stephen Whipple

If you are struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction, or even think you are, or you are facing a prison sentence, anyone believing they can never make it out of the hopelessness...this book is for you. ANYONE can recover from alcoholism and addiction, anyone. Believe me, if I can find recovery, you can too.