Date: Wed Apr 25, 2001 11:57 am

Subject: 4 year anniversary

Hi group,

4 years ago today, I entered the Lawrence Center, Detoxification Hospital, in Waukesha, Wisconsin and pleaded with them to admit me and take me off of a 12-year addiction to Xanax. I had lost any reason for living and probably would not be alive today if I would have continued taking that drug.

Today, I am whole again. I have returned to a period in my life where I can feel my emotions again, without being sedated. I have found my sense of humor, my ability to care for people other than myself, my respect for my body, my respect for nature, my respect for time, for the day, for the moment. Life means so much more to me today.

I owe so much to my family who waited patiently for me to recover. To God who continues to care for me. Little things that used to bother me and people that annoyed me during my benzo days, mean nothing today. Regarding the “permanent damage” controversy. The few minor symptoms that I still have remaining (tinnitus and tingling) are very manageable and do not hold me back from anything.

Each time that I look back to 6-months earlier, I always see some improvement. My progress has always been slow, but there has been progress. Until I stop seeing improvement, I am going to believe that I will continue to recover and all remaining symptoms will disappear.

I pray for all of you that are still suffering today and want you to believe that recovery to a better life will happen.

Take care,

Bradley