From the Airport to the Hospital

When Alejandra was waiting for her flight at an airport, she never imagined that day would mark a turning point in her life due to a severe health crisis caused by her dependence on alcohol, which led her directly to the hospital. "I was alone and scared. It felt like everything suddenly collapsed," Alejandra shared during her emotional appearance on the podcast The Joy of Living in Sobriety, hosted by psychologist Enrique Corral.

Alejandra had always known deep down that she had a problem with alcohol, but it was only after that experience at the airport that she allowed herself to admit it openly. "I acknowledged that I was an alcoholic. It wasn't easy to say it out loud, but I knew I had to if I wanted to live," she confessed.

This acknowledgment marked the beginning of her journey to sobriety, a process that began with a desperate call to her father, asking for help, which became a turning point in Alejandra's life. "I understood that I couldn't keep fighting alone. I needed my dad, I needed support," she recalls with emotion.

This decision led her to move to Mexicali to live with him, providing her with the safe environment and emotional support necessary to begin confronting her addiction directly.

In Mexicali, while seeking additional support, she found a psychologist and a spiritual director who accompanied her on her healing journey. "They helped me understand that recovery wasn't just about quitting drinking. It was also about healing the wounds that alcohol had left in me," she commented.

A key moment in her process was her arrival at Casa Zoe, a place that would become her refuge and the foundation of her new life in sobriety. "At Casa Zoe, for the first time in a long time, I began to feel true happiness. Not because of what I had, but because of how I felt about myself," she recalls. Alejandra experienced a genuine connection with other residents who, like her, were on the path to recovery.

As she progressed in her journey, Alejandra reflected on the true meaning of happiness and realized that happiness didn't come from material things but from being at peace with herself and living in sobriety.

However, the road to recovery was not easy. She experienced hallucinations, a symptom of alcohol withdrawal, but despite these challenges, she felt a great confidence in the process and the support she was receiving. "Even though I was scared, there was something about Casa Zoe, a sense of security, that told me everything was going to be okay," she recalled.

She reflected on the fact that sharing her experience with people who understood what she was going through was incredibly healing.

Finally, Alejandra reaffirmed that her commitment to sobriety is the most important thing in her life. She has learned that it is her number one priority, and she commented that she will do whatever it takes to maintain it. Her story is a testament that, with the right support and an unwavering will, recovery is possible.

Through her testimony, Alejandra hopes to inspire others facing similar challenges to seek the help they need. The therapeutic community Misión Zoe, which provided her with the space and support to heal, is an example of how specialized treatment can transform lives.