The Associated Press is reporting that residents of a Boston facility for women recovering from addictions to drugs and alcohol got an unexpected but welcome Thanksgiving dinner visitor.

AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler helped serve lunch to the two dozen women living at Women's Hope in the city's Dorchester neighborhood, then sat down to talk to the women about his own struggles with drugs and alcohol.

"If I can just tell them how good it is for me now, and that it is possible ... then I've done my job," said Tyler, a Boston area resident.

Drugs and alcohol nearly destroyed Tyler's music career, but he has been clean and sober for nearly two decades now and is living proof that addictions can be conquered, he said.

"Letting go and letting God really does work," he said. "I'm a living example."

Tyler's visit was an inspiration to the women at the 28-day residential substance abuse program.

"It was a surprise to all of us, and I think all of us are really excited that somebody cares so much enough to stop by the house and do this for us," said Shannon Holland, a recovering addict.