- Alcohol
- Drugs
Submitted By Vanessa, Heroes in Recovery lead advocate
“The deal is, there is no deal…you do the work, you get paid. And I am way overpaid!” – Bryan Beers
Bryan Beers has been a Residential Counselor at Michael’s House for the past two and a half years. He will tell you himself that the life he is allowed to live today is nothing short of a miracle. The gifts he continues to reap in recovery have aided his journey on a grand adventure, one of self-discovery, self-exploration, and self-understanding. His path to salvation began in “the hands of God,” in the Cochella Valley.
“My last name is Beers… my first steps as a baby were toward a can of beer,” he says, remembering the early onset of alcoholism in his childhood. He was drinking as early as he could remember, smoked marijuana at the age of 10 and was into hard drugs by the age of 12. Having an older sister who was already heavily into the drug scene made it easy for Bryan to slip into the crowd. He always prided himself in being a hard worker, but he partied even harder. At the age of 18, he was working construction with his father, who was also in active addiction, and picking up drugs for them as well. By 24, he was running dope full-time and began his string of DUI’s, jail, and prison stints. Bryan’s introduction to the needle was in prison; after that event, it was a race against the clock as to when it would all come to a head.
Bryan was given an option to begin a 12-Step program regimen as a part of his parole agreement, and life started to take a turn toward the light. His original intention in beginning the program was to get off parole, but when he began to work the steps, he saw dramatic changes and shifts in perspective, illuminating his life. Around the time that he entered the program, his father began treatment at Michael’s House. With his older sister also in recovery, the family was on its way to becoming part of a greater community of like-minded individuals.
After a brief marriage early in sobriety, Bryan received a son. Troy, now two years old, is an influential part of Bryan’s story. Today, as an enthusiastic member of the Michael’s House Adventure Team, Bryan inspires many other men seeking a solution. He credits his determination and drive to the residents and staff of Michael’s House, stating, “[They] got me through some really hard times.” Bryan is known for his amped up, energy-charged slogans around the Men’s House. You would not be surprised to hear him from across the facility, before the sun is up, waking up the men for a brand new day of positive choices: “On your feet and in the heat!” “Rise and shine, it’s program time!”
When asked, Bryan said that the one thing he wanted to leave with those seeking recovery is the willingness to ask for help. He understands that many seeking a solution oftentimes don’t know where to look or even how to begin. “It’s not natural for us, but the only way to get help is to ask for it,” he says. “Someone will help you—you just gotta put your hand out.”