Without a doubt, these past five years and nine plus months have been the best of my 51 year life so far.

Recovery has helped me reclaim my life, self-esteem, self-confidence, and purpose for being.

Even though I nearly died of an alcohol and drug overdose way back in 1989, and then also spent nearly six years incarcerated as a result of my past addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling from 1998-2004, it wasn't until I woke up on the morning of October 31, 2007, and decided that I had finally had enough of the never ending maze that my life had turned into.

I was ashamed and embarrassed that, although I possessed a college degree in journalism and had worked for many prestigious media companies in the Tri-State area, I had succumbed to the disease of addiction.

However, not long after entering the Coney Island Hospital Chemical Dependency Outpatient Program, I learned that I was human and that recovery was indeed possible.

Today, after having graduated from the program in 2009, I am now the president of the alumni committee and speak to the current clients there, as well as recovering addicts at other programs, hospital detoxes, jails, schools, etc., and understand the importance of giving back to share the message to those who are still sick and suffering.

I also speak about the book I wrote while incarcerated, titled, Jew in Jail, to reinforce the fact that it is never too late to change, and that there is absolutely no shame whatsoever in asking for help.

Being clean and sober feels great - not only physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually - and provides me with the peace of mind and tranquility that is priceless.

Never will I take anything in life for granted, from a beautiful sunny day, to seeing children playing and enjoying themselves without a care in the world, and I owe it all to those professionals who work in the field, as well as the thousands of other grateful recovering addicts who share their stories and allow me to share mine too.

If there is one piece of advice I can give to those reading my story now who are still in the grips of addiction, it is to always keep in mind that, no matter what troubles you may be going through at any particular time in your life, someone else has already experienced the same problems and difficulties, and was able to persevere with the help of others and move on to lead a healthy and productive life.

In recovery, one is never alone, and I encourage those who are still battling this disease to always seek out someone to talk to, because keeping things bottled up is never the correct strategy.

In closing, this recovering addict wants everyone to know that they possess greatness, and no matter what anyone did in their past, it does not have to define who they are as a person.

Live recovery one day at a time!

This past Saturday marked nine years I have been home from prison, and being a free man is something that only those who have spent time behind bars can truly understand and appreciate.

Not being required to ask such simple questions, such as when to go to the bathroom and shower, or what time is permitted to visit the library or get exercise, is just the tip of the iceberg.

For me personally, I have more than merely the physical freedom that release from incarceration restored.

I am now more at peace with myself, comfortable in my own skin, loaded with self-esteem and self-confidence, and able to live my life as I want, as opposed to being a follower, which I was for so many years in the past.

However, perhaps best of all, I am clean & sober, and using what I have learned about myself and the disease of addiction to help others with their own recovery.

I only wish my beloved late father, Irving Goldstein, was alive today, in order that he could see that I finally started to do things right, and that everything my father always used to tell me from his own experiences, and the values he instilled into me, are something I rely upon so much each and every single day.

My book, “Jew in Jail,” will forever be dedicated to my father and how much I love and respect him for always being there for me, and I will continue to do my best to honor my father’s memory by living a fruitful life, including helping others.

Never will I take anything in life for granted, from the simplest of things such as a bright sunny day, to enjoying the company of family and friends, to my own health and well-being.

If it is true that the best things in life are free, then I would have to consider myself a multi-billionaire!