Copyright © 2007
PEDRO CHAVEZ
My name is Pedro Chavez, I am an alcoholic. I was forced to quit drinking
because the Judge told me to go to treatment or jail for 90 days. I been in A.A
for 35 years. I went to treatment in 1972 at Abbott Hospital for thirty days. My
A.A meeting was at 2218 First Ave. S. Mpls, MN. I had been mix A.A squads.
The only way it worked for me is going to A.A meetings and reading the big
book of A.A. Squads. My sponsor took me to speakers meetings in A.A and a
sparker at Elk River, Alano, at downtown A.A Club, St. Paul, River Planning,
Anoka, Minnetonka, Columbia Heights.
Reading the twelve steps of A.A helped me a lot. I still read it everyday and
every now and then I pause to take a good look at my progress. I remember
when my life was unmanageable because I was drinking all the time. When I
got honest with my self I kept going to meetings with my sponsors. When I was
drinking I had a lot of bad choices. I did a lot of bad embarrassing things and
drinking did restore me to sanity. I asked God for guidance and I turned it
around. My life was getting better and I kept asking my higher power to help
me understand and guide me through this. I did say my prayers in the
morning and during my night prayer I would say thanks for taking care of me
in the day. When I went to treatment I found out what kind of bad choices I've
made, I had a good inventory on myself. I told my higher to forgive me and I
forgave myself. I put everything I had done in the past. I told preacher all I
did wrong. I had a clean slate after I told the bad I've done in the past. I
turned it around and there are still things I have to work on but it's not
endangering my sobriety. My character defect was swearing and having bad
thoughts towards other people and I still have some defects but they're not
endangering my sobriety.
To me shortcomings are like a dream. Things keep coming back to you. It
kind of haunts you because there are a lot of different trials. I made amends
to myself with all the bad choices I made and to all the people I hurt. The
greatest amends I made was to my family. It was hard to face them but I had
to make an amends with them. I didn't make an amends with my drinking
buddies because I didn't feel like I needed to. I get up and I do say my prayers
and tell Him to guide me and help me to maintain my sobriety through out
the day. When my sponsor use to pick me up we'd go to different A.A clubs
we'd tell my story and how A.A helped my sobriety and in my story in the result
of all the steps I tell all alcoholics in hoping to quit. This program of A.A does
work if you let it work. I'm honest with myself that's why I come to meetings
and let them know for that I am a better man.
"Its just one day at a time."
My name is Pedro Chavez, I am an alcoholic. I was forced to quit drinking
because the Judge told me to go to treatment or jail for 90 days. I been in A.A
for 35 years. I went to treatment in 1972 at Abbott Hospital for thirty days. My
A.A meeting was at 2218 First Ave. S. Mpls, MN. I had been mix A.A squads.
The only way it worked for me is going to A.A meetings and reading the big
book of A.A. Squads. My sponsor took me to speakers meetings in A.A and a
sparker at Elk River, Alano, at downtown A.A Club, St. Paul, River Planning,
Anoka, Minnetonka, Columbia Heights.
Reading the twelve steps of A.A helped me a lot. I still read it everyday and
every now and then I pause to take a good look at my progress. I remember
when my life was unmanageable because I was drinking all the time. When I
got honest with my self I kept going to meetings with my sponsors. When I was
drinking I had a lot of bad choices. I did a lot of bad embarrassing things and
drinking did restore me to sanity. I asked God for guidance and I turned it
around. My life was getting better and I kept asking my higher power to help
me understand and guide me through this. I did say my prayers in the
morning and during my night prayer I would say thanks for taking care of me
in the day. When I went to treatment I found out what kind of bad choices I've
made, I had a good inventory on myself. I told my higher to forgive me and I
forgave myself. I put everything I had done in the past. I told preacher all I
did wrong. I had a clean slate after I told the bad I've done in the past. I
turned it around and there are still things I have to work on but it's not
endangering my sobriety. My character defect was swearing and having bad
thoughts towards other people and I still have some defects but they're not
endangering my sobriety.
To me shortcomings are like a dream. Things keep coming back to you. It
kind of haunts you because there are a lot of different trials. I made amends
to myself with all the bad choices I made and to all the people I hurt. The
greatest amends I made was to my family. It was hard to face them but I had
to make an amends with them. I didn't make an amends with my drinking
buddies because I didn't feel like I needed to. I get up and I do say my prayers
and tell Him to guide me and help me to maintain my sobriety through out
the day. When my sponsor use to pick me up we'd go to different A.A clubs
we'd tell my story and how A.A helped my sobriety and in my story in the result
of all the steps I tell all alcoholics in hoping to quit. This program of A.A does
work if you let it work. I'm honest with myself that's why I come to meetings
and let them know for that I am a better man.
"Its just one day at a time."
Interviewing those who are willing to give back to what was
giving to them, Recovery.
giving to them, Recovery.
Interview published: March 18th, 2007
| When I was on my journey to find an interview for SpiritualKnights.com I prayed for God's will. He delivered and he surly did. I went to an AA meeting and ran into Pete. I was happy to see him as he was a mentor to me in so many ways. One of those ways was that he was, "humble," and I surely wanted what he had. I had told him that I wanted what he had and he said to me 14 years ago, "keep coming back." I was happy to say to him, "Pete, it's me, and I am still sober today. "He smiled and he looked at me and said, "you bring back memories." I told him briefly about this website and asked him if I could interview him. He graciously sad, "yes." We tried a couple times to meet but those times were not God times. So I asked him if he could write something to share to others who lives in the life of recovery or is seeking to, on what he was able to hold onto that kept him sober today. Now in Pete's words here is his response. |
Anonymous
How long have you been in recovery?
Answer: I have been in recovery for two years in June.
What would you say to the new comers in recovery?
Answer: Call someone before you drink or anything and make sure you have
more than one person to contact.
Was this difficult for you to contact someone?
Answer: Yes, I had three relapses before and I would always call someone
afterwards, and don't drink over stupid stuff-I had a Brother-in-law who died
and my family didn't tell me he died. My family protected me probably because
I was in recovery.
How did you get over that?
Answer: I let it go. I accepted it and let it go.
What was your key to relapse?
Answer: If I think about it- I knew I shouldn't have done it. Now, if I think
about using-I don't act on it. It doesn't even bother me.
What was the best thing for you in the life of recovery?
Answer: I am a live. If I was still drinking I would have been dead- Once I had
awaken in E.R., and I didn't even know why. I care about things again and if
someone rubs me in the wrong way I can blow it off. Recovery changed my
life. Before, my life was drinking 24-7. Now, I can have money. Before, I
didn't care if I had money as long as I had alcohol.
What would you say to the new comer in your own words?
Answer: Have patience... It will come.
How long have you been in recovery?
Answer: I have been in recovery for two years in June.
What would you say to the new comers in recovery?
Answer: Call someone before you drink or anything and make sure you have
more than one person to contact.
Was this difficult for you to contact someone?
Answer: Yes, I had three relapses before and I would always call someone
afterwards, and don't drink over stupid stuff-I had a Brother-in-law who died
and my family didn't tell me he died. My family protected me probably because
I was in recovery.
How did you get over that?
Answer: I let it go. I accepted it and let it go.
What was your key to relapse?
Answer: If I think about it- I knew I shouldn't have done it. Now, if I think
about using-I don't act on it. It doesn't even bother me.
What was the best thing for you in the life of recovery?
Answer: I am a live. If I was still drinking I would have been dead- Once I had
awaken in E.R., and I didn't even know why. I care about things again and if
someone rubs me in the wrong way I can blow it off. Recovery changed my
life. Before, my life was drinking 24-7. Now, I can have money. Before, I
didn't care if I had money as long as I had alcohol.
What would you say to the new comer in your own words?
Answer: Have patience... It will come.
Interview published: May 5th, 2007
| What a beautiful rainy Saturday afternoon in Minnesota. I was on my way to an AA barbecue enjoying the peaceful drive after waking up to thoughts of my father. He had passed away 12 years ago and I am thankful when the times I could see him in my memories for these are joyful tears for me. When I arrived at AA I enjoyed the burger, chicken, and chips...downed with water. I was very happy to be there even though I felt a lone.... Then after finishing my thankful meal I approached a woman in recovery who was doing volunteer work and asked her if I could interview her and with-out hesitating she said, "yes." She wanted remain anonymous and here are her answers to the questions I had for her. Also, my words to her contribution, "Thank you so much for giving back as I hope and know this will help me and others who are living the life in recovery. God bless you! |
Copyright © 2007
Again, "Thank you, Pete. And God bless you!"
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recovery Interviews:
Here you will find a new interview with a very special person who is working
very hard in recovery. This is a very spiritual moment and I am very thankful
for her honesty as I wish her the best in her road to recovery. You will also
find my first interview with Pete.
Here you will find a new interview with a very special person who is working
very hard in recovery. This is a very spiritual moment and I am very thankful
for her honesty as I wish her the best in her road to recovery. You will also
find my first interview with Pete.
| I am very thankful to have meeting Cheryl via email. In my heart I know and feel her journey as she shares her life in recovery. She has lot to give back and in her recovery journey she chooses will bring many people in Sobriety the light to darkness for words of honesty is a key to sobriety. Our interview was through email and even though she doesn't live in Minnesota the story of pain of our addictions carries through-out this world but on the other side of abstinence there is sunshine, hope, and faith. I want to thank you Cheryl for your honesty and for becoming a Spiritual Knight member. God bless you!! To access Cheryl's membership page please click here. |
Cheryl Hagen-Koch
Question 1.
How was life before your recovery?
My life before recovery was real bad, I got to doing things I never
would have thought I'd do, living on the streets, hiding from the
police, spending time in jail, always high, afraid to sleep, living with
danger (guns pointed at my head, beaten), but didn't know what to do,
where to go, not trusting anyone, not even myself. Going through
$1500./day smoking crack.I didn't want to face the pain in life and
how it was coming at me.
Question 2.
How was your life when you first gotten into recovery?
I was afraid, ashamed of what I became and the pain that I caused to
my family. It took me twice in recovery treatment centers. The first
time I managed to do good for 7 months then right back to it. The
second place I went to was just where I needed to be. I had gotten
what I was missing . I had been delivered from the crack demon! I
talked about my pain, the things I did, and realized I had caused so
many people so much pain and fear of me. Learning just how to deal
with pain and life's surroundings was difficult. But I am glad that
there are people who care enough to have helped me through it.
Question 3.
How is your life now in recovery?
I still many things that bother me and so many things that I had to
Face but each day gets a little easier for me as I stay clean. I have lost
both my parents and a brother in 9 months time, lost my job due to
having surgeries and dealing with more and more disrespect from the
very ones that say they love me. But I stay strong in staying clean no
matter how much I hurt. I enjoy the fact that I have another day to
live and to be able to something with my life. I went back to school to
get my diploma and now continuing on with my education. I will do
whatever I have to do to stay clean and become a much better person
in my life.
Question 1.
How was life before your recovery?
My life before recovery was real bad, I got to doing things I never
would have thought I'd do, living on the streets, hiding from the
police, spending time in jail, always high, afraid to sleep, living with
danger (guns pointed at my head, beaten), but didn't know what to do,
where to go, not trusting anyone, not even myself. Going through
$1500./day smoking crack.I didn't want to face the pain in life and
how it was coming at me.
Question 2.
How was your life when you first gotten into recovery?
I was afraid, ashamed of what I became and the pain that I caused to
my family. It took me twice in recovery treatment centers. The first
time I managed to do good for 7 months then right back to it. The
second place I went to was just where I needed to be. I had gotten
what I was missing . I had been delivered from the crack demon! I
talked about my pain, the things I did, and realized I had caused so
many people so much pain and fear of me. Learning just how to deal
with pain and life's surroundings was difficult. But I am glad that
there are people who care enough to have helped me through it.
Question 3.
How is your life now in recovery?
I still many things that bother me and so many things that I had to
Face but each day gets a little easier for me as I stay clean. I have lost
both my parents and a brother in 9 months time, lost my job due to
having surgeries and dealing with more and more disrespect from the
very ones that say they love me. But I stay strong in staying clean no
matter how much I hurt. I enjoy the fact that I have another day to
live and to be able to something with my life. I went back to school to
get my diploma and now continuing on with my education. I will do
whatever I have to do to stay clean and become a much better person
in my life.
Interview published: July 6th, 2007
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