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how d’ya do it?

Q: What strategies did you use to overcome your addiction?

A: I started writing. You are reading what worked for me right now. Writing keeps me clean and sober. Somehow writing rewired my addicted brain back to what I was born with. Any sort of esteemable shit would have worked, but I picked writing because that’s what I enjoy doing, and I’m good at it. It’s basically a replacement for drugs/alcohol.

After that it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3; and, hard as hell.

#1. After 42 years of being drunk, high or hungover every single day, I got an addiction recovery sponsor who taught me how to not relapse. We meet face-to-face for at least an hour a week. I would have also consulted with a clinical psychologist, but alas had no money to do that.

#2. To avoid temptation, I still live and work 24/7 in a sober living environment, nine years after my last high.

#3. I follow a 12-step program to the best of my ability, focusing mostly on Steps #1 and #12. On Step #1, I never forget that relapse is just 10 minutes away, and I manage my life to the minute and to the penny. On Step #12, I lead by example and do everything I can to help other addicts get clean and sober and stay clean and sober.

For extra credit, I published the Six Secular Suggestions (for those of us who are put off by the Christianity origins of the 12 Steps) and the Addictionary dictionary (for the curious ones among us).

—Professor Addict