Rick W's Sober Living Success Story - Real Recovery Solutions
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Rick's Sober Living Success Story

Rick's Sober Living Success Story

| SelfCamoHat

Sobriety Date: 10/20/2020
Age: 42
Drug(s) of Choice:  Alcohol
Alumni 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...

– Rick W.

Personal Background

I was born in Panama City, FL. I grew up surfing, playing music, partying, and working on
the beach mostly. I have epilepsy which always made life difficult because I would have
seizures and drinking definitely didn’t help that but I tried to live life to fit in as normally as
possible.

Recovery Background

When I was about 16 I realized every time I drank alcohol I just didn’t have any type of
boundaries 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 make
sure that I could function in society to do normal things like keep my job, maintain
relationships, go to the store, etc.. Just so I could drink. Everything revolved around
alcohol.

How were you introduced to the 12-step program and recovery?

I was introduced to Real Recovery by Chad Belger after hitting rock bottom of
being 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 few
years before and he was friends with my Dad. I will be grateful to him forever for
taking 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 human
being all of those people that I was holding massive resentment against and then
hearing myself say what grief had I caused them. It was a real eye-opener and it
changed my perspective on a lot of things and allowed me to start putting
myself 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 had
since February 2021 Provider Reimbursement (Accounting) except they hired me on
to Corporate after being contracted for over a year through E-Solutions so that was
nice. Here I like to go to the beach, concerts, play pool, bowl, and anything fun. I try to
make as many meetings as I can but there aren’t that many around here and it cost
a lot for Ubers into Pensacola so I mostly go to meetings on zoom. It doesn’t affect
my sobriety though. I talk to other alcoholics almost every day and I stay sober.

| MeSkyeImFine

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 to
change your life, this is how.

2. Always Maintain a Positive attitude, tomorrow is
another day

3. 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

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