Becoming The Phoenix: The Path to Sobriety

Becoming the phoenix Is a project that I began quite a few years ago. Having spent some time as a self-destructive alcoholic, I wanted to share my experience with others who struggle with addiction. My own struggle pushed me to extremes far beyond the norm. The long-term physical and psychological damage was devastating. As an intensely private person, it was never an option for me to seek help from others. No meetings. No sponsors. No help from anyone. I managed to walk away alone. With that in mind, I decided to write a book.

This book is the product of many years of hard work. I had originally started writing about fifteen years into my sober life. Once I started, I worked so hard that I came to hate it. When the rough draft was finished, I walked away for many years.

In its original form, I couldnt stand it. I felt there was some very good writing, but much of it needed to be re-worked. Condensing an entire journey into a few pages is no easy thing. Sorting out what needs to be said and exactly how to say it was truly challenging. Years would pass before I picked up where I left off.

On my thirty-year anniversary of sobriety, I published my book. After publishing, I began to feel a strong sense of doubt over my decision. I began asking myself questions like Who the hell do I think I am writing a book to help people?. This truly bothered me, and I even considered pulling the book entirely. But, remembering those dark paths that I walked alone brought me right back to why I started writing the book in the first place. I survived. I escaped. I escaped alone.

When I began this book, I KNEW that there are others out there who are just like me… good people who suffer from this addiction, but dont know how to help themselves. If I can share what I did to not only escape, but also remain free after all these years, maybe somebody out there will be able to find their own way out of the darkness. If I can do that, even for just one person, all the work I put into this project will have paid off.

For any who want to read my book, I have provided a link below.

Becoming The Phoenix

-John Alexander (aka SirJohn)