In this conversation with Laura I became fascinated by her extremely insightful explanations of drug addiction and alcoholism. This comes from someone who has been at the bottom of the barrel and a slave to drugs and alcohol herself. Born and raised in the United States, her drug use began shockingly early in life, using cocaine at 13. Meth, pills and alcohol all followed suit. Some people believe that alcoholism and drug addiction is something that develops in one's lifetime after abuse or trauma. In this brutally honest account of her own life, Laura explains how she was born into a loving family and had no abuse or trauma, but was nevertheless restless, irritable and discontent as a child. Laura long believed that she was the victim of circumstance and this gave her the excuse she needed to continue to keep poisoning herself. She is able to clearly articulate the symptoms of alcholism as a three fold disease, the phenomenon of physical craving, a mental obsession and a spiritual malady. She, like most alcoholics and drug addicts hit rock bottom hard, but her story of recovery is nothing short of inspiring. It was a complete joy talking to Laura in this episode. She stands testament to the fact that recovery from addiction is not a glum and depressing journey, but can be happy, joyous and free.
