Table of Contents
Words by current resident Joe V.
Photos by CEO Roy DuPrez.
The last week of my life has been full of a lot of things to do. I was allowed the privilege of going on the Colorado River rafting trip. I returned and then within ten hours I left for Mexico. On arrival in Mexico I reached my four month sobriety mark, have started surfing for my first time in my life, I’m preparing to begin Spanish class, and attend my first 12-step meeting outside of the U.S.
All of the opportunities I have been given are only possible because I’m working a program and staying sober by choice.
The Colorado River trip is something I have been looking forward to for a while. Not every group of residents gets the chance to experience the rafting trip. So I’m extremely blessed to have had the chance to immediately preceding my trip Mexico. I had a few light expectations going into the river trip. Having heard so many other past residents and staff talking about their experience led me to believer that my paddle crew and I were going to be flipping our raft when encountered some sections of white water. The idea of flipping over the boat going through dangerous water would normally have cause me some apprehension however, I did have the chance to go rafting in West Virginia Creek while I was still using. I learned enough then to know not to be afraid because it gets me nowhere.
My experience this time around doing a white water rafting trip eclipsed my first outing by light years. When I went rafting in the past and still drinking and using, I would drink while I was on the water, luckily I never hurt anyone or myself. This last trip was all different because I wasn’t using and the excitement of hitting the rapids was intense, the conversations between the rapids were more engaging and my overall memory of the trip is going to remain vivid and positive for the rest of my life.
Once we returned from the river trip I had about eight hours to finish packing for Mexico, sleep and head to the airport. On my last days on the river it was hard to believe that in twenty-four hours I would be in Mexico seeing the ocean, and trying new things. The guys and I woke up at 5a.m. on Saturday to be ready to load up and drive to phoenix airport. I was exhausted from the river trip and was praying for an easy venture to Mexico. The rest of the traveling went smoothly and we arrived in Mexico as scheduled. The second day in Mexico was my four month sobriety mark and the first day I have ever surfed in my life. At the four month mark I have made a vow to myself to continue to broaden my horizons, I am making an effort to remain teachable and to try new things. On this trip so far, that has been surfing, seafood, I’m going to learn Spanish and try 12-step meetings in a new country. These things aren’t directly related to recovery but what they have in common are they are all new and new has paid off every time I have tried it in recovery.
