Since the beginning of my recovery journey, I've been surrounded by a team of people who believe in my ability to recover, who provide hope, support, and direction. The members of my team have changed over the years and decades, but most of the roles that people have played have remained the same.
I have always had at least one wise mentor—someone with many more years of healing experience than me. At times this role has been filled by a sponsor from a Twelve Step program, other times a spiritual teacher from some other tradition.
There have always been plenty of peers on the team, women who were or are at the same stage of recovery as I am. Many of these people have been by my side for over three decades, but I add new ones all the time.
These are the women I hang with, whom I laugh and cry with regularly. Finally, in my view, no team would be complete without a few professionals here and there.
I gratefully credit a long line of therapists, coaches, teachers, and medical professionals with enhancing my recovery journey. My team members cheer me on and guide me in my recovery.