addiction & recovery
I got sober on January 1st, 2016. Before and since, life has been a hell of a roller coaster. I’ve written during panic attacks in the depths of addiction, and while riding the pink cloud in early recovery. It’s all real, it’s sometimes shit, sometimes great, and it all passes.
I’ve written about others’ addiction as well, such as growing up with an alcoholic father, and the ongoing ripples that effect the lives of myself and my family to this day.
I hope that my experience can help others, including those fighting their own battles with addiction or family members of addicts. Addiction isn’t easy to understand, and it tears lives apart, but there is always hope. Anyone can change if they want to.
Some selections include Trigger Warnings for descriptions of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Please read on, and don’t forget to comment and share what moves you. Follow me on social media to ensure you’re always up to date on my latest posts.

my depression has a soundtrack
My Depression Has a Soundtrack is a poem about the sounds of mental illness- the voices of others, of ourselves, of nightmares and distractions.

a tale of three cities
A Tale of Three Cities is about moving far away from where you grew up, and how it feels when you try and go home one more time.

food noise
Food noise relates to the emotions tied to eating. In this piece, I talk about my personal battles with food noise, and giving up the fight to let love win.

7 things to expect in recovery
This article is a list based on mine and others experience getting sober through a 12 Step Program to help those navigating their own recovery.

thoughts from Costa
While sitting in a Costa in Newcastle, killing time before I headed to therapy, I wrote this short poem about distance, and moving from the US to the UK.

erasing
Erasing is a poem about discovering who you are after years of trying to literally erase yourself. It’s about coming to terms with your true self.

edges
Edges is a poem about recovery and struggle with addiction. It’s about 12 Step Programs, listening to similarities, and staying in the middle of the boat.