Rick's Sober Living Success Story Rick's Sober Living Success Story Sobriety Date: 10/20/2020Age: 42Drug(s) of Choice: AlcoholAlumni Interview Date: 11/10/2022 It was a life-changing experience. Although it was difficult at times, it made my life so much better in so many ways that I would not trade that experience for the world... Personal Background I was born in Panama City, FL. I grew up surfing, playing music, partying, and working onthe beach mostly. I have epilepsy which always made life difficult because I would haveseizures and drinking definitely didn’t help that but I tried to live life to fit in as normally aspossible. Recovery Background When I was about 16 I realized every time I drank alcohol I just didn’t have any type ofboundaries or limit. I always wanted to keep going and going.As I aged over time I had to compensate my dependency on alcohol with drugs to makesure that I could function in society to do normal things like keep my job, maintainrelationships, go to the store, etc.. Just so I could drink. Everything revolved aroundalcohol. How were you introduced to the 12-step program and recovery? I was introduced to Real Recovery by Chad Belger after hitting rock bottom ofbeing homeless for over a year, having 8 seizures in one day, and almost dying.Chad came and picked me up in Panama City, he had gotten sober at Real Recovery a fewyears before and he was friends with my Dad. I will be grateful to him forever fortaking me there. Rick's Journey at Real Recovery How was your experience at Real Recovery? It was a life-changing experience. Although it was difficult at times, it made my life so much better in so many ways that I would not trade that experience for the world and I am so grateful to Mark and all of my friends there that helped me get through the journey while I was there. What was the hardest or most challenging step for you? Yes, step 4, after I admitted to God, myself, and another humanbeing all of those people that I was holding massive resentment against and thenhearing myself say what grief had I caused them. It was a real eye-opener and itchanged my perspective on a lot of things and allowed me to start puttingmyself in other people’s shoes rather than always thinking of myself. After that step,it was like a pile of weight had dropped off my shoulders. After Real Recovery & Life In Sobriety Today How’s life now? Life is good, I live in Gulf Breeze, FL(Pensacola). I still have the same job I’ve hadsince February 2021 Provider Reimbursement (Accounting) except they hired me onto Corporate after being contracted for over a year through E-Solutions so that wasnice. Here I like to go to the beach, concerts, play pool, bowl, and anything fun. I try tomake as many meetings as I can but there aren’t that many around here and it costa lot for Ubers into Pensacola so I mostly go to meetings on zoom. It doesn’t affectmy sobriety though. I talk to other alcoholics almost every day and I stay sober. What three things/tips would you tell your past self or share with someone considering sober living/recovery? 1. Only you can help you, but if you want tochange your life, this is how.2. Always Maintain a Positive attitude, tomorrow isanother day3. Helping others will help you become a better person. Do you have a daily routine that helps you stay sober? Yes, I get up make my bed, brush teeth etc… smoke a cigarette, pray, go to work, in between (more cigarettes lol) dinner, pray, brush teeth sleep Get Inspired With More Success Stories Terryle H. Terryle struggled with binge drinking as a “functioning alcoholic” for nearly 30 years. Today, he's three years sober, happily pursuing his dreams, and an up-and-coming artist. View Terryle's Story Dom M. Dom’s drinking was abnormal starting at 14 years old. It took nearly dying to accept recovery. Today, Dom has more than two years sober, he’s acing college, helping others, and loving life. View Dom's Story Find The Best Sober Home Each of our locations the same level of support but amenities may differ, we can help you identify the best property for your goals in sobriety. My loved one is looking for sober living...Find a sober home for my loved one I’m looking for sober living...Help me find the right sober home