“A few of us were derelicts. In spite of all this, we still had difficulty admitting that we could no longer manage our own lives!”

– Life with Hope, second edition, page 3

The first few times I read Step One, I would see the term “derelict” and an image would pop into my mind of an unkempt, bearded vagrant, reeking of booze, cigarettes, and weed, eyes heavy from years of self-sabotage. I would confidently think “that wasn’t me.” One day though, I explored the definition of “derelict.” Indeed, a person without belongings, or a home, or job, could be described as such, but “derelict” also describes something that has been neglected, misused, or left behind. Had I not done that to myself?

Years of marijuana use led me to neglect my soul, misuse my body (and lungs!), and leave behind goals and dreams that I was fully capable of achieving. I then realized that this seemingly far-fetched term actually defined my addiction!

Final thought: Today, I am no longer a derelict. I respect myself, my body, and my life—nourish it instead of neglect it, harness it instead of misuse it, and reclaim it instead of leaving it behind.