Join us as Denise McDonald recounts a deeply personal experience in the ‘Step 1 Denise Lived Experience Series’. In this episode, Denise shares how a visit to a family home, filled with uneasy tension and old habits, tested her recovery journey. Faced with a standoffish reception and a house filled with alcohol and drugs, Denise reflects on her anxiety and fears about being judged as an outsider for not partaking. Despite her fears, she stayed true to her recovery, a powerful demonstration of the commitment to the first step in recovery.

Step 1 of Alcoholics Anonymous is about admitting powerlessness over alcohol and recognizing the need to take a stand, even in uncomfortable or triggering situations. Denise’s story serves as a reminder that recovery means standing strong, even when old environments  ...