A Moment of Change

For some change is a process. For others, it is a moment. For Lisa Manley, it was both. Twenty years of change started the day Lisa realized her pain and her anesthesia were one in the same, alcohol.

Being an alcoholic mother finally became so painful for Lisa, that she could no longer mask it by drinking. Lisa says, “I got sober when my “anesthesia” quit working, when drinking couldn’t kill the pain of being a bad mom.”

Lisa came to the realization of her alcoholism on her own. In fact it seems that may have been the only way for her, “None of my legal or personal troubles brought me to my knees. Nothing anyone else did or didn’t do brought me to my knees.”

Lisa finally was brought to her knees by what she believes was “divine intervention” which she says enabled her to become willing to do anything to get and stay sober.

She realized that her alcohol and drug use, in an attempt to become numb, had become her painful identity. “I knew who and what I was, an alcoholic who couldn’t safely drink or use drugs.” Lisa finally saw the reality of what she had become, and she said it wasn’t pretty. “When I was using and drinking, I was a taker. I only thought of my needs.”

Lisa’s realization prompted her to seek the path to recovery. Lisa went through Canon Hall at Maryhaven in 1983 for their 30 day program. She quit using drugs after that, but continued to drink until 1988. Lisa gained full sobriety while spending time at the Alcohol Safety Program through the Columbus Health Department’s six month program.

Later, Lisa sought individual counseling support through North Community Mental Health Center, and North Central CALM and Associates. Lisa’s children also received counseling through The Children’s Workshop at Riverside Hospital.

Lisa attributes much of her recovery to the ADAMH system of care, she calls ADAMH a “pillar in the recovery community, determining funding and direction.”

Although recovery can be long and hard, “Every step along the path to recovery helped me immensely. I couldn’t have skipped one single step,” Lisa recalls, “each step was vital to getting me into lasting recovery.”

By the time Lisa gained sobriety her husband had moved in with his girlfriend, forcing Lisa to forge a new path on her own. Lisa says the single hardest part of her recovery process was, “learning to take care of myself financially, emotionally and physically.”

Lisa moved into public housing and began trying to heal her damaged relationships with her children and family.

After two and a half years in recovery trying to “catch her balance” Lisa found her first job as an orderly at Riverside Hospital. Lisa only made $6.50 an hour, and had two children to support, but it was a solid step towards an identity that did not include alcohol.

“Learning to stay sober, no matter what, was part of being convinced that I was truly an alcoholic and that there wasn’t even one safe drink for me. I learned to stay sober like breathing. You just have to do it to live,” said Lisa.

Lisa’s greatest piece of advice to anyone struggling with addiction is to, “Do whatever it takes to become willing. Pray for willingness and get help and never give up.”

Lisa is no longer a taker, “Now, I can be there for my friends, parents and community. I can be of service and give to others. I am a person of my word today. If I say I am going to do something, I follow through. I am reliable and thoughtful today. I stand up for myself and try to do what is right. I can make mistakes today, admit it and go on.”

Lisa helps others gain sobriety in her spare time, and says she “counts her blessings.”