Triumph
My Testimony
BY KATRINA SCHEIBER ARCHER
of experience, strength and hope with the knowledge that God has the power to restore and redeem any situation. In July of 2011, I was 40 years old and had been arrested for my third DUI in three
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years. At that time, I was not yet convinced that I had a problem with alcohol addiction. But just in case, I self-surrendered to an inpatient treatment facility in Casa Grande, Ari- zona. It was there that I spent 64 days coming to know that I had lost all humility, that my relationship with the Lord had faltered, and that I was in the throes of an addiction that I could not break through by any will of my own. My story began on May 25, 1971, in a small
My journey has been long, but my recovery has provided so many opportunities and has blessed my life in ways I could have never imagined.
town in Watertown, Wisconsin. I was raised in a Christian home with three younger broth- ers and two loving parents who brought me to know God through Lutheran baptism and confirmation. I excelled in school and sports, earned good grades, was captain of the Varsity Volleyball team and had unconditional support
through friends and family. I began working at a young age and leſt my home town at the age of 19, moving to Mesa, Arizona. Aſter atending college courses, I began work- ing at Costco Wholesale, where I would spend the next 20 years in love with the optical industry. I became an Arizona state licensed and nationally certified optician. I managed the optical department at several Costco locations and became a regional trainer, which took me to several states to open new locations. I was able to relocate to the Midwest twice during that time, and I loved being closer to family. I was well established in my career and thought that I was perfectly happy. Looking
back at the first 40 years of my life, I could be labeled as what most would refer to as a high-functioning alcoholic. But I had learned to use alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety and certain social situations. It had become my identity, and I didn’t know
34 JULY - OCTOBER
y name is Katie. I am a firm believer in the one true higher power, Je- sus Christ, and I am a recovering alcoholic. By God’s grace and mercy, I am celebrating victory over my alcohol addiction and rejoice in nearly five years of sobriety. I appreciate every opportunity to share my story
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