How I Found God in Recovery: From Hopelessness to Healing

Becoming Limitless with God—What I Shared with Seton Hall Students About Faith, Addiction, and Transformation

This weekend, I had the honor of once again participating in Professor Melinda Papaccio’s Faith and Critical Reason course at Seton Hall University. Dr. Papaccio’s class aims to dispel stigma and spark transformation through honest dialogue, lived experience, and spiritual insight by engaging students with recovery experts like myself.

I shared my journey through alcoholism, trauma, and healing—how I fell into despair, how I found my way out, and how my faith and recovery have completely transformed my life.

The students were so thoughtful and open-hearted. They asked incredible questions that reflected both their compassion and their willingness to look deeper—beyond the surface of addiction to the spiritual, emotional, and human layers underneath.

One student asked me what the most painful part of my journey was. I told them honestly: it was the hopelessness. There is nothing darker than feeling like your life no longer has purpose. But it was in that rock-bottom moment—when I could no longer pretend or run—that God met me. And everything began to change.

Another asked how my relationship with God has impacted my recovery. That question opened the door to one of the deepest truths I’ve learned: I could not have healed without surrendering to something greater than myself.

Through the 12 Steps and spiritual growth, I came to see that I am not alone. That I am loved.

The River of Life flows through me when I stop trying to control everything and let go.

My life now is not about perfection, but about alignment—trusting God’s will and doing the next right thing, one day at a time.

We also talked about the power of transformation—the strength that rises from the ashes of struggle.

And then one student said something I’ll never forget: “Your story shows how you became limitless with God.”

I became limitless with God. I felt those words in my bones. Because I truly believe that when we let go of fear and walk with faith, we become capable of far more than we ever imagined.

This experience reminded me once again that recovery is not just a personal journey—it’s a shared one.

And when we tell the truth about our pain, we create space for others to heal, too.

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Thank you, Professor Papaccio, for continuing to create this sacred container.

Thank you to my fellow certified ITHIRST Spiritual Companions, and to its founder (and friend) Keaton Douglas. iThirst companions serve the Catholic Church by ministering to those suffering from addiction and their families.

And thank you to the students who showed up with open minds, open hearts, and the willingness to see us—not as labels, but as living proof that grace and redemption are real.