I am a recovering Alcoholic and Addict. This is my story to freedom.
Hi, my name is Wayne, and I am a Recovering Alcoholic / Addict.
Thank you for allowing me to share my testimony.
I was over 40 when I entered treatment for alcoholism. Everyone around me was between 22 and 32. l was in treatment with individuals who were on actual hardcore drugs, either heroin or meth addicts. Despite obvious differences, I tried to look at similarities and stay open-minded.
In the great hindsight of looking back at the destruction I created in my days of using marijuana, alcohol and cocaine, I’m grateful to say it holds no power over me anymore. I have amended it and I am free and wholesome.
I used marijuana and alcohol from the ages of 14 to age 19. I stopped marijuana as it had started causing paranoia, but the use of alcohol continued and slowly but progressively led to full-blown alcoholism. Looking back, I can see how the progression played out in the following stages from Use – Misuse – Abuse – Dependency. I cannot tell you the age I was when I transgressed through these stages; however, at age 41 my life became unmanageable and I had hit rock bottom. It was then that I reached out for help and with the support of my family and loved ones, I was admitted to rehab. Therapy unveiled the denial which, after vigorous attempts and failures, I was educated and nurtured into exploring, working through and understanding all my issues. Childhood trauma and losses were, which I now understand, the underlying issues leading up to my substance abuse. I am ever-so-grateful for the professionals for their care and understanding throughout my journey to recovery. It did not happen overnight, but with continued therapy and dedicated willingness (on my part) to change my life for the better, I have achieved what I thought at the time impossible “SOBRIETY”.
I am now able to deal with life on life’s terms and I am passionate about helping others achieve the same. I came to believe that I was an alcoholic and addict and that I would remain one for the rest of my life. This understanding was not a death sentence as I came to experience and understand the disease of addiction. The positives of staying clean and sober far outweigh the life I once lived and I vowed to never allow myself to go back there. ‘Never say never’ they say, so I am aware of all the triggers and toxic people, places and things in my life and choose to avoid them at all costs. Now, clean & sober, I continue on a daily basis to let go of the hurt that once controlled me as well as the emotional pain of grief, guilt, abuse, shame, resentment and many more torments I had created or had been directed at me in the once hostile world I lived in.
It is like seeing the world through a new pair of glasses, the freedom and sense of worth returning is priceless. For many years EGO was my ENEMY. The most important part of recovery is humility and gratitude. Attitudes and my whole outlook on Life needed to change for change to happen within. “Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes”: I had to seek HELP and I am so grateful that I did.
As the 400-year-old poem against isolationism goes, “No man is an island of itself, every man and woman are part of the continent, all a part of the Main”, You are NOT ALONE please reach out and let me help you, we can do this.
The Life Shift.
The way forward for me was building a relationship with myself and cleansing my soul, coupled with building self-love, self-esteem and emotional maturity. I began to thrive in life, and I had the ability to tell my family I loved them and life began to blossom. I felt worthy enough to become a counsellor after serving 25 years in a corporate environment. I had the confidence to resign and further my education in psychology and obtain the necessary Higher Education to assist others caught up in alcoholism and addiction. I have worked in community centres and later established and opened a well-established rehabilitation centre where young and old folk were destined for the same path I was once on.
Becoming a superhero and beating addiction
I learned to love myself and loved working with others. My life is shining.
I came from being hopeless and feeling worthless to becoming an outstanding member of society. I have had a life altering intervention and the universe has placed me on this path— A path that was even more fruitful. My priorities in life have changed. Today I see the truth in it and want to pass this on to the still suffering alcoholic / addict. I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge during my years of sobriety. My recovery was so profound that it became a calling and a passion. I resigned from corporate and furthered my education in the field of psychology, not only to try and better understand myself but understand what leads us to substance abuse and addiction. There are many reasons; however, I stand firm in the facts that trauma whether it be in childhood, adolescence or adulthood is the main cause of alcoholism and addiction
15 Years and Counting: (((One Day at a Time))) from a Recovering alcoholic
I am now adapting to the times and following the “need” wherever I can by making myself available on platforms, such as these, where assistance is available via virtual therapy. Time-saving and no travel or travel costs are only some of the benefits in making therapy possible from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
God surely has a path for those who become his sons and daughters. I’m a classic example of ‘never give up’ and ‘it’s never too late’. If you’re still reading this, pass on the hope as I’m 57 years old now and 15 years clean and sober.
The 12 promises of Sobriety. (reference from Alcoholics & Narcotics Anonymous)
1. If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through.
2. We are going to know a New Freedom and a New Happiness
3. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
4. We will comprehend the word Serenity and we will know peace.
5. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
6. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
7. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
8. Self-seeking will slip away.
9. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
10. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
11. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
12. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled amongst us: sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
Thank you for reading my story and please feel free to ask for me should you be battling with any form of addiction; whether it be over-the-counter meds, Alcohol or any form of drug- from marijuana to heroine- I am here to help.
Today is a good time to be well and be happy; you owe it to yourself. Let me help you. Let’s walk this journey together. I have been there and with technology today, you can make a start on your journey with me at the click of a button. Looking so forward to being of help.
Wishing you well
Best Regards
Wayne
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