Jeff’s Sober Living Success Story

Personal Background

Born and raised in Orlando along with three brothers. Stable, loving household with both parents. Home-schooled until the seventh grade. The transition to public school was not as difficult as one would think considering I played pop warner football with most of the kids. My parents instilled in me the importance of being respectful, and hardworking and we were rightfully punished when I was not.

Recovery Background

Right after my freshman year of high school, my dad had a really bad relapse with drugs and alcohol for the first time since having kids. Little did I know that was my first sign of what happens when you put all of your energy into work, family, and anything else seems more important than your recovery. So my dad was not living with us anymore, and mom was too focused on keeping the ship afloat. Allowing us kids to have a lot less oversight.

My drinking and drugging career was never a successful one. I had consequences from the very start. Now obviously not as catastrophic as things to come but slowly progressing over time. So from 15 years old having alcohol poisoning to 28 breaking my pelvis in a solo drunk driving accident you can see it progressed, was unstoppable, and self-inflicted.

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

I was introduced to the steps at my first rehab in 2014. I had all good intentions of going through them but I didn’t have the proper guidance. I attended a lot of meetings after my first rehab but did not let anyone get to know me or properly get involved. At the time I thought I was doing a textbook job but that was in my head, and I still had a lot of garbage I was carrying around in that head.

Jeff’s Journey at Real Recovery

How was your experience at Real Recovery?

Overwhelming, intimidating, new, scary, fulfilling, sad, eye-opening, insightful, and humbling. I was an emotional wreck coming to my first sober living after my second rehab. So full of fear, self-doubt, and confusion like what the fuck have I done. All the while deep down in my heart I was exactly where I needed to be.

Was there anything that you did while you were in sober living that you think made a difference this time?

YES. AA meetings (arriving early and staying after not matter how uncomfortable it was) The home group that I was at every week, expressing my emotions regularly (lots of crying), focusing on helping others, being accountable for my actions, not staying out late, setting goals and achieving them no matter how minuscule they seemed.

What was the hardest or most challenging step for you?

Well, the 5 that step is the one that I see most people not follow through on and go back out. On the other hand, the ones who have success have done the proper 5th step. Oh and the majority of guys that I take through the steps are selfish cunts and don’t work 12 and start sponsoring other men and IN MY OPINION, it takes them back out.

Was there a step or a point where you felt that things shifted or that you got the most relief from?

I was miserable, angry, and felt like I was coming out of my skin after doing my 5 th step for about a week. Everyone was telling me I was going to feel great and it was the complete opposite. I told my sponsor about it at my home group and he told me that everything I had been doing was such a drastic change in my psyche that I was changing and my body was not used to it. After that conversation and an overwhelmed cry, I felt better and that was
a turning point for me.

After Real Recovery & Life In Sobriety Today

How’s life now?

Life is different now, it is a life that I honestly don’t know if I would have been ready for any sooner. I try to operate under the guidance of a higher power and be a more selfless person. The crazy thing is that when I go out and do things now I don’t have the compulsion to drink or do drugs. I am very content and comfortable with who I am, what I’m doing, and where I’m going. With that being said I am still a crazy person, and me going out into the world fearless takes a lot of work and a lot of hours spent STILL doing a lot of recovery-related things. Sponsoring, meetings, AA peers.