Famous People in Recovery: Jane Velez-Mitchell

Jane Velez-Mitchell is an award-winning journalist, best-selling author, host of her own CNN/HLN news show and a huge recovery proponent. Jane is known for her no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is attitude and outspoken beliefs about addiction and consumerism in America. In her 2009 memoir entitled iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life, Jane admitted for years she hid her own battle with alcoholism. 2012 marks Jane’s 17th year of sobriety as she’s still “working her recovery program.”

Jane lives her life according to the 12 Steps, and is such an inspiring example of hope. Once she realized she was powerless against alcohol (the first process in the 12 steps) she experienced newfound sense of freedom that motivated her sobriety.

Jane is a firm believer in the 12-Step program, many of which use the acronym HALT: feeling hungry, angry, lonely and tired. Those feelings, if improperly managed, can easily lead to relapse. To maintain her sobriety, Jane uses a healthy combination of humor…

“I think laughter is the ultimate intoxication. And that’s why I enjoy recovery, is that I’m always laughing with my sober buddies. And when you’re laughing, you’re naturally high. So I think that really that is part of the solution.”

…and spirituality…

“You have to reorder your life. Instead of being about ego and fear, you have to be of service. I get down on my knees every day and pray, help me to be of service, to do something positive, to make life better for somebody else, or some other creature on this planet… This is a spiritual disease, and it requires a spiritual solution.”

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