Please support Dan's journey to recovery.

As most of you know, Dan has been struggling greatly with chronic Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) since relapsing several months ago. It's been especially devasting to him because he had achieved 3 1/2 years of sobriety, had a rewarding and successful career, and took much pride in his achievements. All of this was taken from him in an instant when he succumbed to the monster that is this disease.

Since then, Dan has been in and out of hospitals and intensive outpatient treatment. The week before last, he came dangerously close to having a fatal cardiac arrest. He was discharged after a week, and thankfully was immediately admitted for a 30-day residency at a recovery facility. We pray and have fervent hope that Dan will come out on the other side of this. And when he does, he will face enormous medical bills. (Losing employment means losing good health insurance.) Ergo, the reason for this GoFundMe.

I kindly ask that this be kept in STRICT confidence as Dan would be mortified to know I'm doing this. I am notifying only family members, close friends, and fellow AA, but NOT Dan's friends--they would happily donate, I'm sure, but I want to respect Dan's privacy and dignity. One of the greatest tragedies of this disease is the shame felt by the afflicted person, and about which it is regarded by others who often also believe it is a self-inflicted condition. Believe me, NO ONE would ever choose this addiction, most of all Dan. It would be so much easier to openly talk about this and be able to spread the word to all who know and love Dan if it was any other disease. But we don't choose our demons. The demons choose us.

With gratitude and much love for you all,

Jean