Editor’s Note: October 17-23 is National Addiction Treatment Week, a time to examine the disparity between people who live with a substance abuse disorder and those who seek treatment. A recent study showed that only 17% of Americans received treatment on their road to recovery. David Lundy is a Buffal0-based actor who candidly agreed to share his story on the 35th year of his sobriety.
“My last drink was 35 years ago today, Whatever willing. Most of you didn’t know me then, which is something to be grateful for. I am grateful for many things, but don’t really feel all puffed-up. John Larroquette said that congratulating an alcoholic for not drinking is like congratulating a cowboy with hemorrhoids for staying off his horse. One of my father’s deathbed statements was, “I really thought the booze was going to get you!” So did I, Dad.
I definitely didn’t do it by myself. I sincerely owe my life to a lot of other people who happened to be in the same boat. There was no courage involved in changing; it was the fear, the pure terror, of NOT changing. There are things that happened which helped me and are not explainable in this life. And there’s no cure. It could all go back to the way it was, in an instant. But let me tell you this: if you’re alone and afraid, and you think you can’t stop drinking or using drugs, calling for help really works. Persistence, honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness will get you where you need to be. Miracles happen. Dreams do come true. We do it a day at a time, and we do it together.”
