I filed for bankruptcy in my 30th year sober. It was the end of the financial crisis, my business which I wasn't great at running anyway tanked and I got in a hole I couldn't get out of. I also owed the IRS more than I had billed in the previous two years.
I have a client who is also a friend who also happens to be a bankruptcy attorney.I was in his office working on a project and he asked me how my life was going so I told him. Long story short, I filed and worked out a settlement with the IRS and had a ton of weight off my back. I also learned a valuable lesson in how to manage my finances and plan as best I can for down times.
Throughout the entire process the thought of drinking or getting high never came up. My hearing took all of 10 minutes and I answered every question truthfully. It really wasn't that bad.
Post bankruptcy I've rebuilt my business and credit and have a mortgage. There is life on the other side of drinking and bankruptcy.
-allan