The Literacy Review - Gallatin School of Individualized Study - New ...

Three Words
Stacy Mantz
112 Overcoming
Out of all the things that many different people have said to me, “You’re an alcoholic”
are the three words that changed my life forever. Those three words forced me to learn
about my disease, to get the right help and to open my arms to a better life.
Alcoholism is a disease that made my life unmanageable. I didn’t go to school, I
worked dead-end jobs, I spent my entire paycheck at the bar and I refused to live
independently because I never had money for anything other than my addiction.
I realized I put myself in so many dangerous situations, like going to parties with
people I didn’t know, driving while intoxicated, mixing drinks with drugs, and constantly
having blackouts and waking up in strange places. Looking for people who could help
me fill in the blanks of my mad-lib life was becoming more frequent.
I had been arrested and was on my way to prison when someone told me I was an
alcoholic and needed help fast or I was going to die. I found my way to an Alcoholics
Anonymous meeting where I heard familiar stories, and I realized I wasn’t alone. This
was a turning point in my life. I changed the people, places and things in my life and
my thinking became clearer. I went back to school after I realized that I wanted more
for myself.
Finally, today I am sober. I no longer hurt myself or others because of my addiction.
Today, I have won back my family and loved ones. Most importantly, I have won back
the respect and love of myself.
Stacy Mantz recently moved to New York City from a small
town in Pennsylvania. She writes: “Reading, being outside,
and trips to the city are the things I enjoy. Unwinding with
my family and card games are fun for me. Curling up with
my cats and watching movies is my favorite pastime.” She
studies at the Adult Learning Center of the College of Staten
Island. Her teacher is Paul Katz, and the director of the
program is Donna Grant.