Beth Leipholtz is someone that I have met via the online community of recovery bloggers/writers.  I honor her accomplishments and have found her to be the voice for the “Twenty-something’s” in the recovery community.  She has helped many young people with her story and continues to be an inspiration to many. She and I both also have a love for dogs, reality shows and our significant other!

1. What was your relationship with Alcohol/Drugs/Food before you got clean and sober?

As many alcoholics do, I used alcohol to cope with an array of emotions, and my relationship with it was anything but healthy. I began drinking in college and over time it got worse and worse. I didn’t blame alcohol for all the problems in my life or my unhappiness – I blamed everything else around me. I viewed it as an escape and a tool.

• What is your relationship with Alcohol/Drugs/Food today?

I guess I don’t know how I’d characterize the relationship since I don’t really have one.  I’ve been sober 3.5 years now. I can tolerate being around alcohol, but I no longer try to be someone who can drink it and maintain a healthy relationship with it. I know that’s not realistic for me.

2. How were your relationships with your family before you got clean & sober?

They were strained to an extent. Some I maintained just fine because they didn’t know the extent of my drinking. But in others, my drinking was the root of a lot of conflict. When drinking I said or did things I wouldn’t have sober. In a way I was a different person, and the people in my life didn’t like that. They worried about my wellbeing and my physical safety.

• How are those relationships today?

The relationships I have today are strong and healthy ones. The people in my life all know about my past, and I think that helps them to understand the person I am today. We talk about my relationship with alcohol, and I know they are all grateful I stopped drinking when I did.

3. Regarding your prior romantic relationships – how did your addiction affect those?

When I drank, I was reckless with my emotions and my body. I hooked up with people I didn’t necessarily care about, and I tried to force romance where there was none. I didn’t have a relationship for the duration of my drinking, and for good reason. I couldn’t have handled it and it likely wouldn’t have ended well.

• What is your current relationship status today?

I am in the best relationship I’ve ever been in. We’ve been together a little over two years, and have three dogs and a home together. He supports my sobriety 100% even though I got sober before I met him. He will never know what I was like when I drank, which is weird in a way. But I am also grateful for that.

4. Do you have relationships with pets and if so, how has that helped with your recovery?

I do, I feel they are a good source of comfort when I am having a pity party for myself or when life is stressful in general. They seem to sense something is wrong and do what they can to comfort me.

5. How is your relationship today with Society at Large?

I believe it’s positive. I have a job that allows me to be a big part of the local community and I feel that people respect me. Many of them know my story and appreciate that I have been honest about my past. I am able to wake up each morning and know that I am at my best.

Beth is a newspaper reporter and graphic designer from Minnesota who writes about the realities of getting sober young. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@EL9292) and like her blog, Life to be Continued, for updates.

Website: www.lifetobecontinued.com

Twitter: EL9292