I arrived at Willingway in December of 2005, a few weeks before Christmas. At the time, it didn’t even occur to me that I would be in treatment during the Christmas holiday, all I cared about was getting somewhere safe that could detox me from alcohol and start teaching me to live chemical-free. I started drinking my senior year of college, which was somewhat of a late start in this day and age. My alcoholism progressed throughout the next ten years, to the point where I had become a round-the-clock drinker. As a 31 year-old professional female, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me, and how my drinking had gotten out of control in such a short period of time. When I didn’t drink, I shook violently and I would see and hear things that weren’t there. I had to go to work every day, so I combated these symptoms by drinking mouthwash during the day at work (I figured that no one would be able to smell the alcohol in the mouthwash), and then I would switch to liquor as soon as I got home and drink throughout the evening until I passed out. It was a ruthless cycle that I repeated daily for almost a year before I came to Willingway. One bitter morning in December, I woke up and experienced a moment of clarity. I realized that I could not and did not want to live the way I was living. Fortunately, my parents had several friends who were Willingway alumni, and were sober and happy, and in a few short days, I was on a plane to Savannah. 

One thing I remember very clearly was the first morning I was there and Dr. Bobby was making his rounds. When he got to my room, he pulled up a chair, and looked directly into my eyes, and when I looked back, I saw that they were filled with compassion and love. I still get choked up thinking about it because I realized then that it had been literally years since anyone had looked at me with anything but fear, anger, worry or pity. I also knew then that I was in good hands, and I just knew that everything was going to be okay. And it has been. After completing six weeks of inpatient treatment, I elected to go to the extended treatment program at the Women’s Residence, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I learned a lot about myself and the disease of alcoholism. Also, I attended at least two 12-step meetings a day and read and studied the Big Book daily, as well. This helped me build the foundation of sobriety that keeps me sane, happy and able to be of service to others today.
 
God willing I will celebrate 4 years of sobriety in December, and it all started with being asked if I was “willing to come to Willingway.” By the grace of God, I answered yes, and I’m happier today than I’ve ever been. 

-Anonymous