My Sobriety Story with Pamela

A dream interpreter and psychic talks about getting sober

This series showcases personal stories of addiction recovery and sobriety. Today’s edition is by Pamela Cummins. Pamela is an expert dream interpreter, psychic, spiritual growth coach, author, and oracle creator. Find her website here and her newsletter here.

When and how did you get sober?

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been clean and sober since November 1989! That Pamela feels dead and gone, yet I know all it takes is one sip or toke, and the old Pamela will become resurrected. Yuck! This is why I continue to pray every morning to keep me clean and sober, and give a prayer of thanks every night. Plus, work on my personal/spiritual growth.

My drug of choice was marijuana, although I used alcohol as a liquid drug. Until they no longer worked to cover up my emotions and the reality of my miserable life became apparent.

I went through the “back door,” as people in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) would say — going to Al-Anon, Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA), and individual therapy first. However, it was the right door for me because I was surrounded by alcoholics, came from a dysfunctional family, and definitely needed counseling.

A couple months later, I realized I had a problem and attended a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. The meeting was interesting but wasn’t the right fit for me, so I went to an AA meeting instead. I felt at home in AA, went to a ton of meetings, and worked the steps.

What surprised you about getting sober?

Two things surprised me. The first was how much better life became when I was clean and sober. Even on my worst days, they were better than my best days being high. There’s a saying that being sober means “Son Of a Bitch Everything is Real!” Reality is so much better without abusing substances.

The second surprise for me was how many people in the AA program were against my going to other types of twelve step meetings and being in therapy. They felt I needed to focus solely on my sobriety. I disagreed because the reason I used marijuana and alcohol was to not deal with my issues and emotions. If I ignored my feelings and issues, then I was setting myself to use again. Dealing with my stuff was keeping me sober!

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered on your recovery journey?

Hmm, there were many… Let me tell you about two of them.

First Challenge: In the beginning, it was rough leaving all my using buddies. Many of my so-called friends drank and did drugs. AA advises to stay away from people, places, and things. I needed to stay away from these people to protect myself from relapsing. The places I hung out with them would trigger me to use. It was time to get rid of all my pipes, rolling papers, and other things reminding me of marijuana and alcohol.

At first, it was lonely leaving these people behind. Then the universe filled this void with healthier friends. Friends who listen to me instead of talking over me. Friends who wanted me for me and not what I could give them.

Many of those using buddies have died. A few went to prison. Then there are the functioning alcoholics who haven’t changed and are miserable. Nope! I don’t miss them or that lifestyle.

Second Challenge: This challenge was similar to the first one, and it was for me to leave AA. A psychic friend had told me how I didn’t need those meetings anymore, which I couldn’t even fathom after being there for over a decade.

Then I noticed how some people who were sober for ten, twenty, thirty, or more years went to meetings every day. Some of them went to a couple each day. These folks were using meetings as a crutch and for their social life. Perhaps they were now addicted to meetings?

There were other realizations, too. What emphasized the truth of my psychic friend’s message was when I attended five meetings in a row. You see, I was in a great mood before the meeting. Then I felt depressed after attending the meeting. Similar to the booze and pot, meetings were no longer working for me.

So I began living life without meetings while keeping the steps, principles, and all that I had learned in the program with me.

What are the biggest benefits or gifts of sobriety?

Let me list them in order:

• I got my life back!
• I began to discover and keep discovering who I am.
• My relationship with a Higher Source began when I went to twelve step programs and continues to deepen and grow.
• I worked through childhood baggage and many issues, thus creating freedom in my life.
• My nighttime dreams became active, which led to me learning to interpret them, and today I’m an expert dream interpreter.
• Dream interpretation brought back my psychic gifts.
• I became self-employed.
• I continue to learn new skills.
• My relationships with cats and people became so much healthier.
• I meet the love of my life who is now my husband.
• I’m the author of eight books and creator of four oracle decks.

What words of advice would you give someone who’s considering sobriety or newly sober?

Go for it! Your future self will thank you!

Please note that you can’t do the sobriety journey alone. Some type of support system is a must! Your support system can be rehab, therapy, twelve step program, or something else. You need a strong foundation, which can take years to build.

Sadly, you could lose people in your life, especially your drinking buddies. Put your sobriety before these people. Who knows? They may desire to become sober or become sober in the future and seek you out. This happened to me with people from my past.

Just because you put down the addictive substance doesn’t mean everything is peachy. You need to work on yourself and make changes. Therapy, self-help groups, twelve step groups, or even self-help books are great tools. Nevertheless, you need to take action and do the work to stay clean and sober.

May you stay sober one hour at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time, until it becomes years and decades. Enjoy everything being real!

Want to share your sobriety story?

Thank you for sharing, Pamela! We look forward to connecting with you in the comments.

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