Two members recently signed up as sponsors for our partner/sponsor program and wrote as follows:
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Before I began recovery I had built up about 25 years or so of addictive behaviors and attitudes neatly intertwined with depression, resentment, and bitterness. Today I am an active participant in GYE and SA, trying to live life on God's terms rather than my own. I believe that I have experience, strength and hope to share with others that might be seeking happy and joyous freedom in their lives. |
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I am a yeshiva guy who used to struggle with internet porn. I spent hundreds of hours staying up late, living a double life, feeding my addiction and then doing teshuva, thinking I was the biggest sinner, swearing off, and then falling right back in. I came to GYE, and, with the help of my sponsor, eventually made my way to SA. I've been sober for 14 months and counting, and I think I have what to share in helping others get out of this. There is a way out, folks, and it's so much better than where I used to be. |
We sent this to Dov, who is clean in SA for 18+ years and is the main GYE moderator on our forums. We wrote that it's interesting how GYE seems to work as a bridge for many people to go to SA groups.
Dov responded as follows:
Yes, it's beautiful. I have had the zechus through GYE of individually helping about 30 people a year successfully move into good SA recovery via the Desperados call, posting, and chatting on GYE in my spare time. By the very same token, I have helped many GYE people keep and open mind and steer clear of SA and 12 steps when it was not right for them, b"H, and occasionally get to counselors and shrinks who can help them navigate and make the hard choices.
It's incredibly rewarding work. Thank G-d for GYE! And thank G-d that there are qualified counselors and shrinks who can help 12 step and non-12 step guys get the help they really need.
Most GYE people I meet are so terribly alone, as I was in those 20 years before recovery. You have started a real chessed society that the Chofetz Chaim would probably have been been proud of. He stepped in the breach, and his was bris haloshon while GYE is helping many with bris ham'or.