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For October 2022, Fellowship RCO would like to recognize

Dorette Adams

Today as I reflect on my past, I’m so grateful, humble, and thankful to My Higher Power (who I call God) for the glory to be able to share the experiences that have brought me to this wonderful point of my recovery journey.
 
I would not be here today, if there wasn’t a Higher Force protecting me and lifting me up from a very low point in my life.
 
Yes, I am an alcoholic, and have been a functioning alcoholic most of my life.
Although I have experienced child molestation, incest, and emotional and physical abuse from the men who I chose to be with. I was fortunate enough to complete college, hold good jobs with major companies, get married, own homes, and have all the things that I felt were important to me in life. However, I always drank heavily, and was introduced to crack cocaine by my now ex-husband.
 
Fast forward, I relocated from New York to Florida, got divorced due to the crack use. I reestablished a very close relationship with my mother, spending the latter part of her years travelling together to Europe, Egypt, and Jamaica. I continued to drink heavily and started taking Xanax, but my mother saw nothing wrong. Perhaps she was in denial like I was.
 
Mom passed away at the age of 92, and that was a tremendous loss for me. I then entered a relationship with a man who had very little respect for me, and my self-esteem was very low! My drinking spiraled out of control, and he eventually put me out of his house, not caring if I had anywhere to go. I chose not to reach out to family or friends, due to shame. I became homeless, living on the streets, sleeping under a gazebo alone in a park. I became involved with different men, one almost attacking me with a machete, and another verbally and physically abusing me. 

 

I heard of help being offered at City Hall, went there, and met a Case Manager from Care Resources in 2018. I started working with them, however kept resisting their help to get off the streets. After being severely chocked and beat up during a night of drinking and doing crack cocaine, and feeling so low and despondent, I told my God that I cannot do this anymore, because alcohol and drugs is bringing me close to death! I made up my mind in August 2019 to work with Care Resources to finally begin my Recovery Program. 

Care Resources did everything in their power and got me into Fellowship Recovery Community Organization’s Respite, and eventually into the Women’s Fellowship RCO’s Recovery Residence. That was the best thing that could have happened in my life. I accepted the fact that I was powerless, and my addiction was destroying me. 
 
Being a spiritual person, I always believed that God was with me, but I had to surrender and put Him first in my life! The Recovery steps have helped me tremendously. I truly believe that the first three steps are a MUST to build a solid foundation. 
I am now three years and three months sober, thanks to God in my life, the help of Fellowship Recovery Community Organization and my decision to do the necessary work. It is very important for me to be honest with my God, myself, and others. I’m also very mindful of people, places, and things. Getting to a place in life where I put God first, have love, respect, and compassion for myself and others has brought me to a place of peacefulness and serenity. I made the decision to humble myself, reach out for the help available to me, and become disciplined to better myself on this journey!
 
I am now very strong, full of confidence (not to be confused with arrogance), humble, and full of gratitude. Recovery is a very important part of my journey, and if I continue to do the next right thing, and put God first, then my blessings will continue to overflow. 
 
A special thanks to all my beautiful Fellowship Family. We can do this!!! Continued blessing to all!  
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