My Addiction Doesn’t Define Me

Patrick Sallee’s road to sobriety was long and winding, but he’s a better man for traveling it.

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By Patrick Sallee

I spent a lot of time the last two and a half years thinking about what defines me and what doesn’t. What makes me who I am.

Listening intently to what people say to me, about who they think I am. The words they use to describe me.

• Ambitious
• Articulate
• Handsome
• Great dad
• Real
• Honest
• Transparent
• Driven

I could read this list and smile and feel like absolutely, I am that guy. But it’s just as accurate that I am not that guy.

• Alcoholic
• Deadbeat
• Addict
• Asshole
• Selfish
• Felon

At points in my life, these words have just as accurately described who I am.