We Go Farther Together

Hi Mountainside Community,

I hope all of you are healthy and well as we are (HP willing) turning the corner on this pandemic. I’m excited to welcome you to this edition of the Mountainside Connection.

As all of my cohort in December 2019 know, I may have agreed to come to Mountainside willingly but was skeptical of saying that I was an alcoholic. I arrived at detox several days sober and didn’t have a “horrific bottom” to speak of. I didn’t get a DUI. I didn’t lose a job. I was just numbing myself with alcohol after my mom’s death in November 2018.

I’m so fortunate that I had a caring brother and family friend that saw that what I was doing to myself was only going to lead to bad things. I remember very clearly the words of one of my fellows in detox when I would recite my mantra, “I don’t think I’m an alcoholic. I didn’t lose anything. I didn’t destroy anything.” and he said “YET.” That woke me up and scared me too. On that first day at our first AA meeting, I decided to approach the Mountainside experience with an open mind and an open heart. I became willing.

Over my 37 days at Mountainside, I spent a lot of time listening and found myself identifying with my peers rather than comparing myself to them. I asked a lot of questions and heard the diverse stories from my group, both men and women. I felt a part of the community even as I still struggled to be honest with myself.

Most importantly, I learned to pause and not react immediately. I took the time to read, think, and absorb rather than shutting myself off. I learned to ask for help. I learned that regardless of the substance that you’re addicted to, we are a tribe that speaks the same language and is there to support one another. We can’t and shouldn’t do it alone.

I am so thankful for the men and women I met at Mountainside, as well as the staff. You’ve helped me become honest with myself, my HP, and my sponsor. I now actively look for ways I can support newcomers. In my home group, we have a sentence in the secretary’s report that I think is particularly fitting “We all came here on different ships, but we are now in the same boat.”

Being an active part of this group and connecting regularly to my alumni friends, in person, online, or on the phone, has been so beneficial to my sobriety and my happiness. I’m thankful for all of you and my continued connection to Mountainside. These ongoing relationships are the backbone of my sobriety and a constant reminder to be honest with myself and continue to reach out to a fellow alcoholic who is still sick and suffering. That I can use my experiences and what I have learned to help others, what a great reality to wake up to every day. Hugs to all.

My Best,

Angela

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Event Highlight: Beginner Guitar with Kendall

**Join us for a night of rock n roll !**

Mountainside’s own Kendall and Wendy will teach you how to wield the musical ax by going through beginner chords, scales, and more in this one hour jam session. Join us on March 11th for a night of fun and learning as we help you take the first step towards becoming a guitar hero.

Register