Anderson

Last week something really cool happened.

One of the producers from Anderson Cooper's new tv show "Anderson" came across my blog online and she contacted me.

We talked on the phone about my life and my problems with addiction.  A few days later she contacted Cristina and they spoke about what it's like being in a relationship with someone who has problems with addiction.

She really loved our story and she invited us to be guests on their new show.

The very next day NBC flew Cristina and I to New York City to be on the show!

Cristina and I had so much fun.

I had never been to New York before so I was really excited.

Everything worked out perfectly because I had just gotten off probation the week before.  I had been on probation for literally the last 3 years and so I haven't been able to leave the state of Michigan during that whole time.

The last time I traveled anywhere was to Florida for spring break and that was in 2007.

NBC paid for everything! Our flights, our hotel, and even a limo driver to take us to and from the airport!

We ended up staying in New York for 3 days.  We stayed in a very swanky/modern (expensive) hotel in Manhattan.  The hotel was filled with models because of fashion week.

Cristina and I have been wanting to go away somewhere together for so long and this was the perfect opportunity.

It felt so good to hold hands with her and walk around the city together.

Originally I was told that the show was going to be about addiction and people in recovery.  But to my surprise the show ended up being all about Amy Winehouse and her tragic death.

Amy's parents were guests on the show and it was so hard watching them cry and talk about their daughter.

Cristina and I spoke to Anderson from the audience.  He asked us each a few questions but I think that I was edited out of the show.

Before the show they prepped us and told us what questions he was going to ask us...Well the questions that he ended up asking me were not the ones they gave me.

So standing there with Anderson Cooper staring at me dead in the eye and an entire audience of people and cameras everywhere, I as sort of caught off-guard.  I fumbled my questions and got really nervous lol

When Cristina was talking I was holding back tears.  It's so hard hearing the person you love talk about how your addiction affects them.  Hearing that stuff kills me inside.

It just goes to show you just how powerful addiction is.

Addiction affects everyone - Not just the addict

It affects every single person in your life, whether you realize it or not.



Here is a link to watch our clip from the show.  I don't think I've ever posted pictures on here of Cristina and I so now you can see what our beautiful faces look like lol


http://www.andersoncooper.com/videos/1_i3ubbbqn



Everything is still going really well..

I've been sober since August 28th so I think I'm something like 16 days clean.

I'm still doing IOP treatment 3 nights a week and taking my Suboxone every morning.

I've gone to some AA meetings but I definitely need to start going to more.

My mom has really been freaking out because I haven't found a new sponsor yet.

I just want to make sure that I choose someone good for me.  I don't want to just go to a meeting and randomly ask someone to work the steps with me.

I believe that choosing the right sponsor is kind of a big deal.

I mean this is someone who is going to be a huge part of your life.

Someone that you have to be able to trust and that has worked the steps themselves and has been sober for a substantial amount of time.

I'll find one.  It's just a matter of time.

I feel good about the way things are going.

I think everything is going to be alright.




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