Aileen C. - Sober Since April 2009 (Encore Episode)

A tough upbringing punctuated by violence and abuse led to Aileen's early use of drugs and alcohol just to survive home life. Her difficult and dangerous relationships in adulthood were mired by alcoholism of one or both parties. Self-loathing and despair, with ideations of suicide, haunted her at every turn. Indeed, Aileen’s story looked hopeless. In the end, it took in-patient mental health treatment, private therapy, and the guidance of good mentor to guide Aileen into a variety of 12-step programs, including AA. Even then, she slipped after being sober 15 months, but came back in just a couple of we...