#1 Reason to Recover Out Loud

It’s the kind of relationship where we tolerate each other for the sake of our mutual friend. We’ve all been there. I wouldn’t hang out with this guy if he wasn’t so close with a good friend of mine. But since he is, we end up in the same place doing the same thing once every couple of months. We have little in common. He is a little younger than me and a lot more confident. He talks about his stuff and never asks me about mine. He isn’t arrogant or aloof, he just doesn’t know any better.

A couple of days ago, our mutual friend brought us together again. As people were gathering and plans were being made, I found myself alone with my friend’s friend. As I was struggling to think of a conversation starter, he told me he heard that I write about addiction and recovery, and that he thinks it is really cool. I was speechless. In the probably 100 or so conversations we have had over the years, this was the first time he’s ever talked about me.

He went on to tell me about his own struggles to moderate his weed smoking, and even shared that he needs to get his sugar intake under control. Not only did he take an interest in a passion of mine, but he then opened up about his own challenges and laid his weaknesses and concerns at my feet.

This little interaction changed our relationship. We aren’t suddenly besties, and I doubt we will see each other…