There’s magic in being an expert. I wouldn’t know, but I’ve always assumed there is. The idea that one day I would wake up and everyone would look to me for an answer was somewhat thrilling.  When I first got sober, there were a lot of firsts. The first time I introduced myself at a meeting, the first time I admitted to being an alcoholic, the first time I cried sober…. and the first time I laughed sober.  Everything was new, because without the…

When I was 18 years old, I would hop into a sleek black private car around 11 pm every night. I’d wave my cigarette magically in the air and ask to be taken to the Soho Grande.  The driver would speed off into the dark, bustling night of New York City. Slumped down in the grey leather seat, I’d peer out over the side, so just my eyes were visible through the window. Bright flashing lights everywhere, blurring the images of the young college student’s advertising of the…