Step 12: “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

Step 12 describes a spiritual awakening, which can take time – I know it did in my case.   But in my first 16 months of recovery, I’ve changed so much on a spiritual level.  I’ve transformed from someone who was pretty judgmental, hateful, and angry to someone who strives to be kind and to give back.

The way I think today is completely different from the way I thought while I was in active addiction, and I bring that to everything I do. Today, I’m reaching out to people on the streets, including those who are experiencing homelessness or are addicted to drugs. 

Helping people makes me feel good, and I think that’s really important.  I do what I can to bring hope and try to pass on the message that it’s possible to change your life if you want to.

When I try to help someone, it helps me, too.