- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Friends & Family
- Mental Health
My life changed abruptly. I was not trying very hard to get sober and was fortunate enough to have family and friends force me to go to rehab. My time at Michael’s House let me realize that I was not who I wanted to be.
As cliché as it sounds, just coming to the realization that I was not in control is what prompted a genuine need for change. As an intelligent, egotistical, control freak, I could not allow something to rule over me. But in all seriousness, I realized I could not be the best father and husband if I was letting my addictions take priority.
After a week-long stay in a mental health recovery center, I was naively ready to be sober and happy for the rest of my life. Even though I was sober for a little while, I would not have made it much longer. My family and friends intervened and forced me to go to rehab at Michael’s house.
As a self-loathing person suffering from mental health issues, I learned that all I was doing before was trying to not be myself. Using substances pushed a lot of my emotional problems away, but it was also suppressing who I was.
It has been one year since completing rehab at Michael’s House. Life is very hard, but I am learning to actually deal with things rather than try to drown my problems.
Unfortunately, not everyone understands addiction and it is heart-breaking to see and hear people degrade someone because of it. What they don’t know is that addiction is equal-opportunity and anyone can be seduced into a life of cyclic misery. Addiction is an evil genius and will outthink you every chance it gets. Do not let drugs and alcohol change who you are. You’re awesome.