Nannette's Story
Hi, my name is Nannette Gilliland and I am an Alcoholic, and this is my Story. I grew up in a close family; my parents owned their own construction company and put our family first. I have a twin sister named Jan and a brother named Raymond who is a year younger. My grandparents lived next door, so me and my sister and brother grew up surrounded by family that loved and cared for us. I am the first family member to attend college; I wanted to become a teacher for the deaf and was in my fifth year at college when “Life” gave me the choice to continue my schooling or pay bills. I thought to myself I was doing the responsible thing by quitting school and thinking I can always go back to get my Teaching Certificate. So I accepted a promotion at the retail store I was working at the time. I remember feeling like I was starting over, I kept working toward the next promotion or career advancement that would challenge me and I was enjoying my life. I attended family gatherings when work permitted me, I bought a cat and named it “Marbles” to keep me company and lived like this for many years.
Then before my 40th birthday I was set on getting married to Steve, and he was worth waiting for! I never thought I would feel the kind of love that he showed me. He was patient and kind to me showing the love I knew I could trust. Three days before our wedding on February 3rd 2005, he was killed in car accident we had plans to move back to Colorado where he had a house, I had resigned from my Job and was ready to start a life with him. I found myself with a wedding dress, invitations that were sent out, flowers and caterers that were already paid for.
I received the phone call about his accident at 1:03 and by 1:10 I had a bottle of Vodka in my hands, when pouring my first drink I remember telling myself “this is strange I don’t drink” and alcohol was never a part of my lifestyle before. I was always too busy going to school or working and it never appealed to me. But something inside me changed that day and realized that I was just giving up! I spent the next 2 years and 10 months drinking myself in to an alcoholic. I turned down jobs I pulled away from my family and friends. I stay at home drinking and living off the money that I had saved for the wedding, two years later and down to almost nothing I downsized my home and changed my life but not my drinking I lost everything , my life was spinning out of control and just didn’t care.
I knew I had hit rock bottom when I found myself in JAIL! I thought to myself how did I get here. I sobered up and started understanding what my family and friends were trying to get me to understand. I contacted a long time friend “Scott” who never judged me that night and asked me “are you done yet” I looked at him with tears coming down my face which was the first time I had cried since I started drinking and said to him “ I don’t know how “
After a couple of calls the next day I end up at The Salvation Army – San Diego Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) which helped me realize I was an alcoholic and needed help to over come it. ARC offered many programs and counseling that help me with my grief and offered a 12 step meeting to where I could share with others and learn from then that I was not alone. I followed the program talked with my sponsor and working the steps. But the most important thing I found at the ARC is “GOD” through spiritual advising and going to chapel two times a week. I have a strong relationship with the Lord, by him loving me when I couldn’t love myself and following his path through prayer I am a proud to say that “I am a woman of God”
I have since completed the six month program, went through re-entry and now an assistant manager at a Salvation Army Family Store, they have provided me a place to live and the opportunity to save money. I am truly grateful to the Salvation Army- ARC for giving me back my life and teaching me how to deal with whatever life throws at me. I know now the lord is here to carry me through and to give me strength. Nannette Gilliland
