Under the Influence
By Barbara Nicholson-Brown

There is nothing unusual or special about my story. It happens every day. Women, men, young adults, tweens and teens all over the world struggle from the same disease I have…addiction. Families, relationships, and careers are destroyed but the saddest fact is the loss of life from overdoses, illness and other fatalities.  Being addicted to alcohol or drugs is a brutal existence.

At this very moment, the media across the globe is in frenzy over the sudden death of the talented King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Within the last 24 hours we’ve learned that prescription medications are in the forefront of this tragedy and more than likely opiates played a role in his death. There is speculation of doctor shopping but this is not a new phenomenon, so why are we shocked now? Addiction knows no boundaries.

Whose life is affected? The reality is—across our country this deadly disease affects 23 million people of all ages. Two thirds of Americans have friends or family who struggle with addiction. An estimated 5.3 million women in the United States drink in a way that threatens their health, safety, and general well-being. Alcohol and drugs are incredibly destructive, and long term chronic drinking or drug use ravages the body, mind and soul.

Because of my own personal struggles, my gift and purpose in this recovered life is to let others know it is possible to live without being chained to a bottle, glass or pill—and there is a special freedom and joy that comes from not being under the influence, dazed and confused.

Addiction took me to the shadows of darkness, hopelessness and isolation. While I was filled with embarrassment and shame for years, asking for help and having to admit this ‘problem’ seemed unbearable. What would everyone think? With the fun and celebration diminishing, fortunately one remarkable day after years of hangovers and blackouts, I surrendered. It took time but I slowly began to understand, feel and believe-- I was not alone in this and I got out alive.

With awareness about addiction available through all types of media and people speaking up for recovery, the disease of addiction is more openly discussed than it was when I got sober. Little by little, inch-by-inch the stigma associated with this disease is slowly lifting, but we have a long way to go. For many, addiction continues to remain something unacceptable and something to be hidden. I believe part of my responsibility is to extend myself to others who have felt the struggle, and put a face to this disease to offer the message hope exists.

Five years ago in my quest to be part of the larger solution, my husband and I created the Art of Recovery Expo. We envisioned a day where we would have the opportunity to open the doors of the Phoenix Convention Center to the general public. We invite you to meet the leading treatment providers, counselors, therapists and professionals in the field of behavioral health and addiction recovery on Saturday, September 19th.

I know for a fact that miracles are abundant for those who choose to make the choice to change. It’s not an easy task but it is possible. It happened for me in my worst moment of despair. I was offered something as simple as a glimmer of hope. Today, my life is under a new kind of influence ---sobriety.

 This year’s presenting speaker is Christopher Kennedy Lawford. Lawford, the first-born child of President John F. Kennedy’s sister, Patricia, and famous Rat Pack actor, Peter Lawford, is an actor and bestselling author who struggled with addiction for many years. He is sober over 23 years. Lawford is the author of Symptoms of Withdrawal, Moments of Clarity and Healing Hepatitis C.