Leave the Light On: A Memoir of Recovery and Self-Discovery

Jennifer Storm writes with humility, wit, and passion a story that depicts the vulnerable state of early recovery from addiction. The reader quickly becomes drawn into her life and wants to know where here newly found insights and skills will take her. By embracing the tools offered in her twelve-step program and meetings, Jennifer navigates through many life challenges that confront young addicts in recovery–old and new friendships, relationships with parents and siblings, sexuality, intimate relationships, school, and career. Her story is captivating and inspiring. —Claudia Black, PhD., Author of It Will Never Happen to Me

There are few books about lesbians in recovery. This is, by far, the best I’ve read. Those of us who work in the narrow niche of LGBT recovery know the connection between the twelve-step recovery process and the process of “coming out.” Jennifer skillfully blends the two together in this memoir. Every gay and lesbian person in early recovery needs to read this book to know they are not alone in their experience. What a gift to our community! —Joe Amico, President, National Association of Lesbian and Gay Addiction Professionals (NALGAP)

By generously sharing her story in Leave the Light On, Jennifer Storm adds to the literature of recovery and hope so helpful for those who think they are alone in their journey. This memoir is a welcome addition to anyone’s recovery bookshelf. —Kate Clinton, Comedian, Author of I Told You So, Don’t Get Me Started, and What the L?

The odds of substance use for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth are on average 190 percent higher than for heterosexual youth, according to a study by the University of Pittsburgh. Jennifer’s touching memoir of addiction and recovery is something that resonated with my life, and I’m sure for many others as well. —Charles Robbins, CEO, The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth

For someone who found recovery fairly late in life (I was 42), I find Ms. Storm’s struggles over her addiction at such an early age especially courageous. Peer pressure to “keep the party going” is so strong at her age. She is a shining example of the power of recovery for youth. I applaud her and hope this book brings the treasures of a life in recovery to many, many young people. —Leslie Jordan, Emmy Award-winning actor, Author of My Trip Down the Pink Carpet

Jennifer takes the recovery world “by storm” in this gripping account of her struggle with self-destruction and self-acceptance. In Leave the Light On, Ms. Storm offers her readers an accessible, honest, and intimate account of the unique challenges faced by those whose recovery as substance abusers is dependent upon honestly exploration and loving resolution of heir sexual histories and identities. By sharing her own story, Jennifer lays the groundwork for others to follow. It’s a book that every clinician who works in the field of addiction and every person who hopes to find recovery can benefit from reading. —Paul L. Hokemeyer, JD, PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, The Caron Treatment Centers

Jennifer Storm was born and raised near Allentown, PA and attended Northampton High School. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from The University of Phoenix. In August 2002, Ms. Storm joined Victim Witness Assistance Program as the organization’s second Executive Director. Before joining VWAP, Ms. Storm was the first full-time director of the Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition, a nonprofit coalition dedicated to securing and defending fully inclusive civil rights for LGBT people in Pennsylvania. During her tenure at Pennsylvania Rights Coalition, Ms. Storm worked diligently on obtaining inclusive hate crime legislation.