This is my latest published article in my local county paper on Dec. 14 – Maryland Independent.

I talk about my addictions and the same of many others. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been addicted, to even French Fries, addictions are real and deadly. Below is the Word document.

“Out of the Storm and Into the Calm

On October 25, 1989, I stopped drinking and drugging. That day was a month into my then last work release program at Charles County Detention Center. The Charles County judicial system gave me a year for Driving on Revoked License and I served nine and a half months of that sentence.

It was never my desire to become an alcoholic or drug addict. I wanted to play second base for the Washington Senators’ professional baseball team, but life made a different choice for my direction. During my first month of that work release, which was not my first work release, I couldn’t stop drinking and drugging. It was a dreadful experience trying to stop, but I could not navigate through it, not on my own anyway. I was stuck in a nightmare similar to this for decades. I did have moments of clarity, which every essence of my body and soul wanted to crawl out, but I couldn’t. I wanted to change, however it was not in my power. I found myself in the midst of a storm that I’m sure, would soon claim my life.

My work release was revoked, because of a dirty urine specimen, and I was sent to the back of the jail. The next eight months plus, I lived in D Block, counting the blocks on my cell wall, wishing I could change the television channel and longing to hug my kids. During this time, outside conflicts happened to my family that rushed me to the bottom of my addictions, which I so desperately needed. When this incident happened I was inside long enough for my head to clear a sufficient amount of time, so I could make some rational decisions. I decided to change my life for mine and my children’s sake. By far, the best decision I ever made.

For those that are in the middle of active addiction, there is a way out. It can be and probably will be a tough road, but you can walk through it and hold your head high, just don’t give up. For those who sit back and say, “Just stop,” you don’t understand the hold that addiction has on a person. You can help by finding out how you can help. There are phone numbers of free places that will help you to help your loved ones, use Google. Each addiction has a way out, no matter if it’s, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, food or your couch. If it’s a loved one who’s stuck, maybe your compassion can help them, before the addicted one finds their way out through suicide. Don’t give up on them, they’re not doing this on purpose.”