Yesterday I was at a meeting talking to a young woman who got sober at 24. She is 15 years now, has a pretty wonderful life, a husband and family, a job she enjoys, and she has dealt with some hard issues in recovery.
The thing that really struck me was that she has so much to offer and being in her company and lstening to her experience was just an absolute joy and a privilege. That was not something that could be said of me in my drinking days.
Imagine that. The both of us were off the rails alcoholics that would not have survived past our mid twenties, and now we are useful human beings living highly satisfying lives. It is possible to find a way out of the crappiest of circumstances to something much better. You could too if really want to and are willing to make the effort.