Abstract
This is my personal story cominmg from my Christian perspective as part of a small Protestant denomination. It deals with the centrality of spiritual issues while moving into, through, and out of the bondage of illness, depression and addition, describing some of my fear, guilt and shame, sense of isolation and despair. My story touches on my relationships with self and God, family of origin and nuclear family, faith community and Alcoholics Anonymous. I share how the gift of recorvery and joy in new life came to me and continues through spiritual, professional and AA help.