Five years ago, I showed up at Sunday Mass—desperate for help. I was struggling with alcoholism, and my life was a mess. That day, Father Mike mentioned Alpha during his homily. I didn’t know what it was, but something about it caught my attention. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I decided to check it out.
I went to the first Alpha session, and I didn’t hold back. I told the group that I was heading into rehab the very next day. I only went to that one session, but even that one night of Alpha stuck with me. Something about the atmosphere, the honesty, the welcome—it stayed in the back of my mind.
The Turning PointAfter rehab, I came back and joined another Alpha. I did a few sessions, and even started helping out. But the truth is, I wasn’t fully stable. I slipped back into drinking—even had a drink during an Alpha session. Eventually, I hit rock bottom again. That was the real turning point.
This time, I knew I needed more than a temporary fix. I got serious about sobriety and committed to a 12-step program. That’s when real change started. It wasn’t overnight, but I stayed with it. I kept showing up, stayed honest, and worked through the process. Four years later, I was still sober—and I found myself walking back into Alpha.
Full CircleI was worried I would be judged for how I behaved at past Alphas, for having left abruptly, but I wasn’t. Four years later, coming back to Alpha was so healing for me. I was welcomed, accepted, and even invited to contribute! It’s also when I met Jacob—a guy who was walking a path I knew all too well. We got talking, and it didn’t take long before we realized something surprising: his mom had been talking to me about her son for the past two years, hoping we’d connect. At the same time, she’d been telling him about me. We had never crossed paths—until Alpha.
When it clicked, we both knew that God made this happen. Jacob was early in his own recovery, and I could see parts of my story in his. I guess I became more of a mentor than anything, not because I had all the answers, but because I’d been there.
Final ThoughtsSince then, I’ve stayed involved with Alpha. It’s not about having everything together—it’s about being real, showing up, and journeying alongside other people in honesty and authenticity.
If you’re even a little curious about Alpha, just come. You don’t need to have your life figured out. I didn’t. But that first step can open doors you never expected.
