Life After Addiction With Narcotics Anonymous RI
Disclaimer: This is a guest post shared anonymously to protect the identity of the writer.
Note from the aa-meetings.com team: We are honored to share real stories from those in recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling, we encourage you to explore options for support and connection.
Before I found recovery, I felt like I was just existing. Every day blurred into the next, and I couldn’t imagine a future where I wasn’t stuck in the same destructive cycle. Alcohol and substances had become my routine, and even though I could see my life falling apart, I didn’t know how to stop. It wasn’t until I reached out to Narcotics Anonymous RI that things finally started to shift. And that shift, small as it felt at the time, was what saved my life.
Read more: How AA Groups Chicago Alter Mental Health and Emotional Stability
The Day Everything Changed
I still remember the exact moment I realized I couldn’t keep going the way I was. I had pushed away friends and family. I was exhausted, mentally and physically. Searching for “AA meetings near me” that day felt like admitting defeat, but in reality, it was the first step toward freedom. I found a local Narcotics Anonymous RI group and decided to just go, even though I was terrified.
Walking into that first meeting, I was shaking. I didn’t say much, but I listened. And for the first time in years, I heard people who understood exactly how I felt. I wasn’t alone anymore. That mattered more than I can explain.
Getting Through the Early Days
The beginning of my recovery wasn’t easy. I had doubts. I struggled with cravings and sometimes I just wanted to give up. But I kept showing up. The people at Narcotics Anonymous RI welcomed me, no matter how broken I felt. Slowly, I started working through the 12 steps of AA, even though I wasn’t sure I believed in the process at first. Over time, it started to make sense. I began to understand myself and why I turned to substances in the first place.
I also found a sponsor who walked with me through the hard parts, and a few group members who became close friends. I even looked into additional resources like the Radar Recovery Center and searched for “therapists near me” to get more support for my mental health. Recovery isn't one-size-fits-all, and having multiple layers of help really made a difference.
What Life Looks Like Now
Today, my life is far from perfect, but it’s real, and it’s mine. I wake up clear-headed. I have rebuilt some of the relationships I thought I’d lost forever. I’ve learned to take things one day at a time. My sobriety calculator reminds me of how far I’ve come, even on the days when I feel stuck or overwhelmed.
There are still challenges. Some days, I miss the escape that addiction used to give me. But I’ve learned to sit with my emotions instead of running from them. I attend regular AA meetings and continue to stay connected with Narcotics Anonymous RI. That connection keeps me grounded.
Giving Back and Moving Forward
Now that I’ve been sober for a while, I’ve started giving back. Whether it’s sharing my story, sponsoring someone new, or simply being there to listen after a meeting, I try to be the kind of support that helped me in the beginning. I’ve even visited a halfway house a few times to speak to people just starting out. I remember how hopeless I felt in those early days, and if I can give someone just a little hope, it’s worth it.
I still check the FAQs of AA meetings now and then, especially when I travel and need to find AA near me. It reminds me that recovery is always within reach, wherever I am.
Final Thoughts
If you’re reading this and you’re struggling, I want you to know something; there is a way out. You don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re curious about AA, looking for Narcotics Anonymous RI, or just wondering if things can ever get better, I promise you they can.
All it takes is showing up. Just once. And then again the next day. Recovery is possible. I’m living proof.