A Growing Epidemic

Debra says Michelle has the determination to recover, but she still has a long road ahead of her. "Right now, what's going on with you is what's called 'white-knuckle sobriety.' Every day you're just hanging on for another day, but you don't have recovery. Not using the drug is not recovery—it's just the gateway to recovery. It just gives you the right to belong to the group."

Friends and family can be helpful, but Debra Jay says they can't give Michelle the support she needs. "They don't have it to give," she explains. "You need other recovering women in your life. I would love you to make a commitment. ... Because the way people stay sober in a 12-step group is by helping other people. And that's what you can do. And that's how you'll stay sober."

"I will make that commitment today," Michelle says.