- What was life like before recovery?
Dog [water]. It was just unmanageable, it was tough, definitely felt like an uphill battle, a lot of the time I felt like something was wrong and just didn’t know what, I felt like a “bottom of the barrel” individual
- How did you find your way into recovery?
I’ve been in and out for a long time through rehabs, wilderness programs, etc. I was introduced to the program when I was like fifteen, but I had to reach a point where I had exhausted all other options of making my life manageable before I was willing to jump in.
- What’s life been like in recovery?
It’s been challenging, rewarding, fulfilling, I’ve learned a lot about myself and learned a lot about treating others with respect and the dignity they deserve. A lot of growing pains that are just worth it. I wouldn’t trade what I have right now for anything.
- Do you have a message for the newcomer or people contemplating a change?
I would say if you truly wanna change and you’re willing it’s possible, don’t let all the [naysayers] and self deprecating thoughts and all that [stuff] tell you it’s not. It’s either you do it or you don’t, either you believe in yourself or you give up on yourself.
- When in recovery did you find GFR?
Maybe like two months in, I figured it out through my sponsor, I pulled up to one of the meetings and it was chill. I like what GFR is doing for the college community and Isla Vista, it’s a really cool resource for college students, it’s like a baby step into recovery.
- What’s your relationship with school like compared to before?
Before, I was a high school dropout with no goals or aspirations for education, but about four months into my sobriety I got my GED, about six months in I started my first semester at SBCC, I had a successful semester, this semester I’m taking a break.
- What are some cool things you didn’t expect from recovery?
I would say I didn’t expect to stay sober, and I didn’t expect to have points in my life where I have peace of mind, or to have built an amazing community of sober people around me. I didn’t expect to be able to sleep very well. I have so much more, the list of things is immense and it’s kinda crazy.
- What are some annoying/frustrating things you’ve encountered in recovery?
Cravings. Certain individuals in the program that I don’t find very savory. I would say the times that I live in self-will, and normies. I have a lot of people close to me that are normies and I love them, but at the same time they [tick] me off, and I think it’s because it’s harder for me to relate to them and because they don’t encounter the same day to day struggles that I have to deal with as someone recovering from a substance use disorder.
- How have you managed or dealt with hardships in recovery?
Relying upon my higher power, my fellowship, my sponsor, prayer, meditation, giving myself grace at times even though it’s not easy, and trying to help others however that might look.
- Anything else you’d like to add?
Recovery is… dope, and life is a lot more manageable, and you can still be sober, have fun, and not be a square.