I am speaking (for the first time) at a rehab center tomorrow. I have been asked to talk for 15 minutes and bring a message of hope. I am newly sober (82 days) for the first time (I am 61 yrs old). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
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You can fill most of it with how you use to be
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How you use to be
How you are now
How did you do it
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Don't do a drunkalogue. I once sat through a 90 minute share of crack induced sexual exploits.
Surely, explain what you have lost and why, but the biggest thing you can share is your experience in recovery, your hope, and how you got there.
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Thank you Jeff — this hit the mark for me.
Speak from your heart. You don’t have to know anything else.
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You can talk about what you were like …How you got help and what your life is like now…
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Good luck…
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I always pray for my higher power to guide my words ask that I not embellish or forget why I am speaking. I simply try to share my experience, strength and hope. I focus on that if I have been given the gift of sobriety, others can too. I also remember that people just want to hear what I have to say and they are not going to leave if I mess up and probably won’t even notice or care really. So just take a deep breath and you will do great.
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Well I’m 57 and started drinking when I was 14, I’ve been sober for almost 15 months now, longest since 14. I have spoken a few times at rehab and detox facility. These were mainly youngsters that were in there so I kinda focused on how I wish I would have figured it out and stopped when I was their age, how much I missed out on being drunk, how much time I stole from my kids and family, time that you will NEVER get back. Etc etc, I don’t know, that’s just what I was thinking at the moment when I saw how young they all were and how I wish I stopped then instead of wasting all that time!
thanks for helping me by letting me share with you right now, good luck 
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Thank you so much — appreciate your time…
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Try to always remember to be of service. When I speak at rehabs, I quickly identify as an addict, explain my experiences that got me to surrender and then explain how the solution worked and continues to work for me.
People are looking for solutions. The community in the program has them.
Stay positive and try to have fun. Sobriety is serious but should be a fun adventure.
Boom!
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If its hot as baIIs, don't talk forever. Hahaha
Hi Kiki.
From my experience with sharing, I would highly HIGHLY suggest praying before you share and follow the format. “Our stories disclose in a general way, what it was like, what happened and what it is like now”
When sharing at a treatment center you are speaking to a wide variety of people. So just speak from the heart, some will relate and some will not. We’re not there to convert anyone or anything like that. We are there to spread the word that recovery is possible. We are there to give the message of the heart.
Best wishes to you!
I was told to share how it was, what happened, and what it’s like now.
Basically I like to to share 5-6 minutes on each part.
There is nothing wrong with share your drunk log to show how the insanity of your drinking was. Then I like to move into what happened that got me into recovery and what I did to get and stay sober. I share my experience with the steps and how I was taught to utilize them. Last I share what my life is like now that I have the tools to stay sober. I read a few things out of the book to help carry the message.
The most important part is to speak from the heart. It’s your story. Thank you for your service.
Experience, your strength and Hope
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