My name is Cheresa . I'm 34 years old. Since I was 12 I've had a painful condition called fibromyalgia.  I began drinking heavily at the age of 14 when I realized that drinking was an escape and had the ability to numb my mental and physical pain.  I thought it was the perfect solution. I remember leaving my infant daughter with anyone who would watch her so I could go out and drink and then return home to breastfeed her.  Drinking caused a disconnect between she and I that is still felt today 12 years later. I can recall driving so intoxicated that I would essentially pass out behind the wheel and wake up swerving off the road.  I cannot tell you how many times I could've killed myself and others behind the wheel and made it home safely by the grace of God.  I was so destructive when I was drunk.  I was careless and thoughtless. It all changed on August 2, 2008 when I changed the course of my life forever as a result of my drunk and disorderly conduct. During an altercation with my husband I picked up a knife and struck him. I went to jail and faced a minimum 10 year prison sentence. I know that I would have made better decisions in the situation had I not been drinking. I had hit rock bottom and the only way was up. I sit here today thankful that I didn't end up going to prison and that I was given the chance to absolutely learn from my mistakes. August 2, 2008 was the very last time I was drunk.  It took near tragedy to get me to open my eyes but today I am sober. It has been a long hard struggle learning how to cope with each days ups and downs sober but it is victorious knowing that the future is bright and not blurry.