I didn’t wake up one morning and say, “Today, I’m going to destroy my life.” No one does. Addiction is a slow, hungry enemy. It creeps in quietly, wearing the mask of comfort. A drink to relax. A pill to sleep. A line to forget. What starts as an innocent escape slowly becomes a trap you don’t remember walking into.
Honestly, looking back towards the very end of my active addiction, my life centered around the getting, using, and finding ways and means to get more. By the time I realized how far gone I was, the person I once knew—the version of me with ambition, love, laughter—was already buried beneath years of guilt, lies, and broken promises.
This book is not just about addiction. It’s about recovery. My personal addiction recovery story is both painful and beautiful, full of hard truths and “Thank God!” miracles. It’s a testimony to the fact that long-term sobriety is not just possible, it’s transformative. I want you to know that recovery is not reserved for the strong. It’s a pathway for the willing. If you’ve fallen, like I did, there is a way back. There is a plan.
My recovery started with accepting that my life was not the way I had planned it. I was tired of hiding; of hurting people I loved. Of waking up feeling guilty, ashamed and remorseful. I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I had tried every solo attempt imaginable to “sober up and fly right.” Cold turkey. Willpower. White knuckling it through withdrawals. One more attempt. One more disappointment.
My best friends, booze and drugs, had turned on me. These inebriants had given me the wings to fly; then they took away the sky!
This book is for anyone struggling in the shadows, unsure whether recovery is possible. It’s also for friends, family, and loved ones who watch helplessly, unsure of what to say or how to help.
I wrote it as a guide, a hand extended in the darkness of the abyss of addiction. On these pages I offer tools I use in my recovery, honest stories based on my experience, and a proven treatment plan (outpatient and no charge!). It saved my life and offers hope for countless others.
You won’t find sugarcoating here. Recovery can be messy. It’s work. But it’s also the most worthwhile journey I’ve ever taken. The rewards are real. A clear mind. Restful sleep. Relationships built on trust. A sense of purpose. The ability to be present—to really live, not just survive. And a future beyond your comprehension.
If you’re holding this book description, there’s a part of you that’s ready for change. Whether you’re in the grips of addiction, newly sober, or supporting someone you love, I hope these words help you feel less alone. More hopeful. More equipped.
This is not just my story. It’s yours too. Because recovery is not a solo act. It’s a shared miracle—one day, one choice, one life at a time.
If you are ready to begin your recovery, let’s begin our journey by opening the gift of recovery by buying my book, “CRANIUM WARS.”
©Copyright 2025 Stan Rainbolt. All Rights Reserved.