True Stories of Addiction: Stephan
Stephan has tried to recover in the past but could never get the grip of it. He believes he has the best intentions, but always found his way back to drinking and using drugs. He was clean and sober for a good 9 months but did not have a 12-step sponsor. When you don’t have a sponsor, you aren’t really taught how to cope with life without the use of alcohol and drugs, so, when his girlfriend had a miscarriage he had the intentions of just smoking a cigarette but took a different path.
After that cigarette, when he found out the bad news about his girlfriend, he decided to go to the nearby college. A couple of days later Stephan woke up out of a black out in the dorms of Arizona State University. This made him think of what they say in the 12-step rooms; once you cross a certain line you are without defense against the first drink. After that first drink the rest inevitable; jails, institutions and if you don’t stop soon enough, death.
Not Taking Suggestion in the 12-Step Rooms
When Stephan first decided to get sober he heard people tell him in 12-step meeting rooms to get a sponsor and work the 12-steps. He did listen to what they said but didn’t act upon it and did the bare minimum because he didn’t feel like putting in all the work. Stephan even took a look at the 12-Step book and set it aside from his recovery because it was too long and there were no pictures. He would go to meetings and listen to what is being said, but would only focus on what he didn’t relate to instead of what he did. Since Stephan couldn’t find anyone he related to, he decided to sponsor himself.
He did well for 9 months, or so he thought. He would still attend meetings, make friends and act like he was doing everything he should and people believed him. He thought he was going to stay sober for good but was missing the true feeling of serenity that working the 12-steps comes with. He sat next to another gentleman at his regular meeting and told him, “It is probably not a bad idea if I play in traffic.” He was miserable. He didn’t want to keep living the life he was because he wasn’t working the steps with a sponsor and doing what he should in order to feel okay.
A 12-Step Sponsor
He didn’t understand why he was so miserable without using drugs or alcohol. He thought that going to these meetings would help. He didn’t understand that you have to do the work for the miracle to happen. Later that day, Stephan was asked if he prayed to a power greater than himself. Of course, he prayed but he didn’t really feel the prayer he was saying. He took this man’s suggestion and took time on his prayers, morning and night, and two days later a miracle happened.
Stephan finally felt okay. He didn’t have a big house, nice cars, or anything materialistic to make him feel that way. He believes it was God’s presence in this life that made him feel so blessed to be alive. He loved the feeling he had and didn’t want it to go away, so he went and found himself a 12-step sponsor.
His sponsor has him do some reading in the book and explained to him that he needed to trust God, clean the wreckage of his past and help others and that is exactly what he did so he didn’t lose the feeling of serenity. He learned that the first three steps are where he learned how to trust God, steps four through nine is where he learned how to clean house mentally, physically and spiritually. Then steps ten through twelve is where he learned how to help others find recovery.
Life Today Because of the 12-Steps
Stephan has an amazing life today. He has a beautiful family with a couple of kids, a dog, a career that is taking him places and most of all he finally feels as if he has a purpose in life. He is working with other men in recovery and continues to be of service in the 12-step rooms. For all struggling with addiction he says to get in the middle of the action, introduce yourself to people, get a sponsor and work the steps and watch your life change before your eyes.
57 comments
This story is very inspiring. Addiction to drugs becomes a very frightening condition. Thanks for sharing this story.
This post is amazing but i will like to read more about 12 step program so that i can share it with others also
This is God at work, happy for Stephan that he got his life back. The 12-step program is actually a good structure to follow for the addicted ones. It has really helped people’s lives. This is good to know.
I believe in the right 12 steps written n this article. we don’t change right away, we change in the process. When people from addiction want to change they must follow a process for them to better realize things. We don’t just say yeah there is hope or any positive comments.
I have heard about this 12 step process from I guess your blog only. And, one more example setting up the example of this rehab process really tells the positive results of the process.
Yes, that is really true. Without a sponsor, a recovering person is quite vulnerable and easy to manipulate. We need to help those trying to change and understand their vulnerability.
When you are addicted, staying clean is one of the toughest journey. It’s even harder if you don’t have a 12-step sponsor. Going back to drugs is inevitable. I totally understand why Stephen went back to taking a cigarette. When you are not taught how to cope with life without the use of drugs, then you will definitely go back to drugs if you face challenges. I’m glad Stephen is recovering and is having an amazing time with his family great story
Stephan’s life story is inspirational. Hoping for these 12 steps to go viral.
If there are people who show love when one is facing challenges, recovery will be faster. Fighting a battle alone drain slot. 12 step program is one that can help the drug and alcohol addicts to get delivered as fast as possible.
Hmm remarkable experience. Understandably, having a 12-step sponsor puts on on course and makes one stay on track till the victory is ascertained. Thanks for this.
Oh my God ,this is a lesson ,if someone go away from God like anything go away too from US,since you believe in God you as fast as possible understand whatever that 12 step program easyly to learn
This program is designed to help people who are into one addiction or the other to get out of it. Professionals are available to assist. Loneliness isn’t an option, please get rehabilitated.
Recovery from an addiction or a habit takes time, it is a gradual process, the thing is just to be consistent with what you are doing right and you would get there. wishing stephan well.
12 steps are really helpful in the recovery process of a person who undergoes this kind of life’s challenge. I really do hope that Stephen can sustain his progress. Aim to go to a better life path.
All these are essential for quick recovery. I will advice every addict to get acquainted with these suggestions.
This 12 steps program has really been beneficial to drugs addicts who want to live the sober life and recover from drug addiction. I am happy stephan chose this path and now has people around him who love him.
People shouldn’t think the best way of escaping a bad news or situation is by doing drugs. I am happy Josh realised he needed help not just from man but a higher being and finally got a sponsor for the 12 step program. I am glad that he is at peace with himself now.
A very good program. Perhaps organizations all over the world can adapt this. Usually copying someone or something is a no no but with a program like this be my guest. Copy it because the world could use this and not just one place.
The realization and birth of this 12-step program is a miracle. It’s been saving lives. Keep it up.
These such a cool program that helps those who are addicted to alcoho, drugs, and etc. Such program helps them to live and start a new life away from those bad influence.
Thanks to the 12 step program Steph is living his best life today. That’s the best thing any addict can hope for.
I think what makes the 12 step program is that it involves a bit of spirituality and finding God. That can be very powerful and moving for some people.
I don’t know why people got addicted with something.Addiction is not the solution of any problem.If we want to tackle any problem then we have to fight with that.
This is superb. Giving reasons why the steps works is absolutely wonderful. Good job. Kudos.
Stephan’s story is emotional and inspirational, the 12-steps program works it you put your mind to it. Thank God for his life I pray you continue to stay strong. The program definitely works,
In the end it’s God that really helped Steph make the change. This just shows how important it is to have God in our lives.
From this story it shows it does work but the problem is getting people to commit. The more committed they are to getting better the more likely they are to.
That’s where 12_step program comes in to get drug addicts to get aquatinted to handling sober and addiction proper without going back to it and recovering fully.
What a lovely story that inspires hope! I wish more addicts could read about Steph’s story and be inspired to change
I am just glad that Step never gave up trying to recover no matter how many times he tried and failed. It finally paid off in the long run.
I can relate a lot to his story. I know quite a few relatives who were in his same exact position although many of them never made the recovery.
Looks like the 12 step program really does work. I will invest time into learning more about it. Thanks.
I can feel the happiness that Stephan has from here. I like that he has all the things mentioned above now. He is a fulfilled man
To get the miracle of healing from drugs, we ourselves need to put the work into it. It’s a huge decision and commitment. I love this piece
This 12 step program has proven effective with all testimonies read here. I thing people should be encouraged to try out this program
Going through treatment with people of thesame goal, it really helps and fastens the healing process. I see this is one of the reason the 12 step program has been successful
Thanks for sharing this…. really informative
Very good story for motivation. If you read that post properly you’ii find something very important, which is we should try the solution even it’s hard, because nothing is impossible.
This is very interesting and great post. This story is very inspirational. 12 steps are very amazing. Thanks for sharing this information.
Thank you for sharing this literally LIFE CHANGING STEPS. Glad I come across this article.
Thank you for the informative and helpful post! The blog was really convincing and the steps are easy to understand and digest. Will be sharing this to my friends to raise awareness of this program.
Thanks for giving such a great tips. It’s really works. Keep doing and keep motivating us Stephan. Thank You.
Indeed, Stephen is a fulfilled person. Achievement males someone to be happy and joyful.
Taking ight steps at the right time goes a long way in one’s life. ndeed, Stephen is a fulfilled person. The story gives us the reasons for achievement.
Taking the right steps at the right time helpe one in achieving success. From the. above, it is conspicuous that success is achievable through taking appropriate actions.
This 12 step program is really a good one for those dealing with addiction. Friends and family around them should encourage them to go in for such program to get needed professional help
The true road to recovery really starts with yourself admitting/acknowledging that you have an actual problem and that you need help. It is also something that you have to work really hard on every step of the way. While you may believe that you can deal with it yourself, it’s not always the case. I am very happy that Stephan made it through it all because he knew he had a problem, and gradually understood that he also needed help. The 12 step program really worked out great for him in the end.
It is an achievement to have attained such after the program. Having a sober mind is good for the day to day life. You even accomplish whatever you need in life.
Wow…..nice
Attending the meetings and staying away from the drugs doesn’t help fully
You need to have a 12-step sponsor
Nice one
This is a timely lesson for this generation. Many people are in one or two challenges and they have concluded that there is no way out but with this above experience shared , there are steps to be taken to overcome every challenge that comes one’s way.
I can tell from what I’ve read that the 12 steps can help many people, especially people who are trying to leave an addiction or need direction.
This story is so touching. I wish people can get the negative sides and work on them to become positive. Thanks for this good post on addiction. Addiction can be corrected, so loose no hope.
Drug and Alcohol addiction is really hard to handle that is why in the first place we need to control ourselves to avoid it so that we will not suffer to consequences. This story is good to overcome this kind of addiction.
Addiction is problem facing many people. Recovery from drug abuse is a great achievement.
Thanks for sharing this life changing story it will help many that is battling with addiction to retrace their steps and seek the right solution to be free.The story is really inspiring
This are amazing points to do away from drugs, which I found very helpful. Those who engage in drug should complies with these points it is very helpful.
Happy for Stephan’s recovery. It really shows the great work being done by detoxtorehab. Nice one.