- Drugs
- Friends & Family
Heroes in Recovery lead advocate Amy Cooper interviewed Mike right before the Heroes 6K in Atlanta earlier this year.
My name is Mike and I’m an addict. I’ve been an addict probably since I started drinking at age 11. My recovery has basically been a roller coaster. When I was 19 I went to prison for seven years and that’s when I was introduced to IV drugs. I have moved around a lot in my life. I’ve never really kept an address for long.
The one thing that I do know is that my recovery, my program, is probably the most important thing in my life. I know it’s always there, it’s always good, and I know that no matter what I do or what I say I can always go to the men in the program.
People have judged me and I’ve judged people, but I am making it. I’ve had men that have been in my network who have always loved me and always accepted me for who I am.
My last drug use was probably the most intense time in my life. I used a significant amount of drugs in a short period of time. I’m even surprised I am here today. I used 200 rigs in a week and 1/2 by myself in a hotel room. I lost so much weight that I couldn’t even recognize myself. This last use took place the weekend Whitney Houston passed away and I was in the stabilization unit at the hospital. I could not see, and I could not walk, because I had done so much damage to my nerves in my body. I remember sitting there in a wheelchair in the day room and listening to the TV, because I couldn’t see it. I remember hearing the news about Whitney Houston and that they found her in a hotel room in the bathroom and I was in a hotel in a bathtub the same weekend. I’m sitting there asking God, why me? Why would a woman who could reach so many people and touch so many lives with her voice be taken away at such an early age? Here I am… a selfish, self-centered, take -for-granted-the-blessings-that-I-have-in-my life guy. Why are you giving so many chances? Here I am again, still alive and that was the last time I asked Him why because He finally answered me. He said, because I love you.
Since then I’ve had some ups and downs but I know in my heart and my soul that God has a plan, and I’m here for reason and for purpose.
I will fight every day of my recovery. I have to. I cannot give up.
I was in North Dakota working the oil fields for 3 1/2 years and I now work as a construction, heavy equipment operator for a company in Atlanta.
I’m actually able to be there, you know. I took my son to go register for high school yesterday. I mean, I couldn’t even be in front of people and have a normal conversation because I used to be so messed up. But today I’m able to do that and do it right!
Here it is Saturday morning, early and I am about to run a 6K and my son and daughter are here to cheer me on. My biggest accomplishment and miracle in recovery has been just not picking anything up for one day. One day at a time. What an amazing feeling. The obsession has been lifted and will continue to be, as long as I keep up my spiritual maintenance. I don’t have that desire. I play the tape all the way thru. I have bad moments at times, but not bad days. I love my life, my recovery and my kids and it’s amazing. I wouldn’t trade recovery for anything!