BY DIRK FOSTER
My name is Dirk, and I’m an alcoholic.
Believe it or not, that’s one of my favorite things to say out loud. I’m a proud and grateful alcoholic who has been living in Tahoe for eight years. While living here, I’ve discovered that there is a wonderful and thriving community of other recovering addicts eager and willing to help anyone who wants to get sober.
One of the most exciting aspects of sobriety is rediscovering certain things you loved as a child. Sobriety has given me the opportunity to rediscover my love of nature and the tranquility it offers. Every time I walk through the forest, or ride my bike along the Legacy Trail, or stand in the Truckee River casting a fly line, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to live in such a beautiful and peaceful place.
I lived in Los Angeles for many years, a city notorious for its many vices and temptations. I also came close to destroying my life in LA due to my addiction. I’m not trying to insult Los Angeles, but I knew that I needed to leave the City of Angels (and demons) as soon as I could. I dreamed about someday moving to Tahoe, where I had vacationed many times as a child. But it wasn’t until I managed to get sober that I was able to relocate to the place of my dreams, first living in Incline Village then buying a house in Truckee. My wife and I have made our home in Truckee for almost three years now, and I couldn’t be happier or more grateful.
Long-term sobriety requires peace of mind and serenity, which I have found in abundance living in Tahoe/Truckee. I have also found a thriving community of sober people living here as well.
Every town in the United States, no matter how small or isolated, has at least some type of addiction recovery group or 12-step program that is open and available to anyone who needs help. And Tahoe/Truckee is no different.
If you or anyone you love is struggling with addiction, there are many resources available in our area. What makes recovery so special in our community is the fact that we live in a place that is inherently calm and peaceful, not to mention visually stunning. And if there’s anything I’ve learned over the last 11 years of sobriety, it’s that staying sober is a lot easier and more enjoyable when we’re surrounded by natural beauty.
But if you’re still struggling with addiction of any kind, before you take a walk through the forest or bike along the Legacy Trail, contact someone in our sober community and ask them for help so you don’t have to walk alone.
~ Dirk Foster is an author, blogger, public relations consultant, and owner of Foster PR. He also founded thesoberjourney.com. He lives in Truckee with his wife Dany and their beautiful golden dog Moonpie. When he’s not writing books or developing publicity campaigns for his clients, he can usually be found fly fishing in the Truckee River. Dirk’s recent book, The Sober Journey: A Guide to Prayer and Meditation in Recovery is available on Amazon.
