Today I have a network of positive influencers I can call/rely on.
Before
This is Lawrence, he is 36 years old and has been in recovery, this time, for 52 days. He has been a substance user for 23 years. As the younger of two siblings he naturally wanting to hang out with the older kids and his substance use began with alcohol. When he was 15 his family moved to a different area of town and the kids there were now experimenting with coke and other drugs. When he was 17, he got kidney stones and was prescribed Hydrocodone. Soon after he was taking up to 80 pills a day and because of the cost of the drug on the street I would rob, steal or whatever to get the money he needed. Then after 10 years using pills, at 25 he was introduced by his best friend to IV heroin.
After
Lawrence tried many times to get clean, but it was always just for others, for show, to see family, to see his kids. Following his son’s 15th birthday he had a wakeup call. He realized thinking he could get clean on his own, he was just fooling myself. Eventually he called Houston Recover Center and spoke with Chad. He made all the difference. Chad and the other HRC coaches really knew where he was coming from and weren’t afraid to call him out on his BS. Even so, their caring attitude never changed no matter how many times his recovery failed. Now he’s committed to recovery, and he now has a relationship with God and is committed to starting a “new life.”
He credits the help and care he received from HRC and Chad particularly. He says to others struggling with alcohol and substance use, reach out, stay connected, find a supportive recovery person, group or facility like HRC.
Recovery is possible.
Background
My name is Lawrence, I am 36 years old and I have been in recovery, this time, for 52 days. It may not seem like a long time, but I have been in and out of recovery more than 20 times since I was 13 years old. I have been a substance user for 23 years. As the younger of two siblings and naturally wanting to hang out with the older kids, my substance use began with alcohol. When I was 15 we moved to a different area of town and the kids there were now experimenting with coke and other drugs. When I was 17, I got kidney stones and was prescribed Hydrocodone. Soon I was taking up to 80 pills a day and because of the cost of the drug on the street I would rob, steal or whatever to get the money I needed. After 10 years using pills, at 25 I was introduced by my best friend to IV heroin.
I tried many times to get clean, but it was always just for others, for show, to see family, to see my kids. I was not really committed to rehab until my son’s 15th birthday when I had a wakeup call. My mother was caught dealing and with the pain of being separated from my son and learning of his substance use, I realized thinking I could get clean on my own was just fooling myself. Eventually I called Houston Recover Center and spoke with Chad. He made all the difference. Chad and the other HRC coaches really know where you’re coming from and aren’t afraid to call you out on your BS. Even so, their caring attitude never changes no matter how many times your recovery fails.
Recovery can be a difficult path at times and I have struggled to stay positive. I have had many ups and downs, but I remember the two decades of constantly feeling hurt and wishing to not waste any more time. To be good, good enough for my whole family. I work at not being “close minded,” I’m committed to myself and to recovery, and I now have a relationship with God. I am committed to starting a “new life.”
I give all the credit to the help and care I’ve received from HRC and Chad particularly. To others struggling with alcohol and substance use, reach out, stay connected, find a supportive recovery person, group or facility like HRC.
Recovery is possible.