Alcohol Abuse Starts Early in Life
Patrick grew up in a good home, with parents who loved and cared for him. He went to a good school where he did well and was involved in sports. But even with so many positive things in his life, he always felt like there was a void or hole that he needed to fill. He was plagued with self-entitlement, which he eventually addressed. This honest self-examination changed what path he was on.
Patrick was exposed to Alcohol when he was young, having his first drink when he was thirteen years old, and he was hooked right away. From then on, he continued to drink later than anyone else, often checking the liquor bottles to see if there was anything left. He couldn’t get enough alcohol.
When he entered high school, he started to use Cocaine and prescription Amphetamines. He developed some serious entitlement problems, which were only fueled by his parents. They supported him with all their might, but sometimes they overlooked the ways he was struggling and needed help.
Waking up in Treatment for Alcoholism
Being born on Saint Patrick’s Day, being named Patrick and very Irish, drinking easily became a part of Patrick’s identity. He still yearned to fill the void he felt in himself, though, and this drinking became out of control.
While drugs moved in and out of Patrick’s using, Alcohol was his go to substance. It seemed like it was always there for him when nothing else was. In his words, he became a ‘full blown alcoholic.’
He doesn’t remember exactly how he ended up in treatment for the first time. He was so intoxicated that all he remembers is telling his mother that he needed help. A few days later he woke up in an inpatient rehab treatment center. This was the beginning of his journey of recovery, but there was a long road ahead.
Relapsing with Alcohol Until Therapy Breakthrough
Patrick relapsed multiple times and was in and out of treatment for years. He would start to get his life back together, reconstructing things that he had lost, and then he would relapse again. The last time he relapsed, it only took five days for him to lose everything. He wound up hospitalized, in a coma with the Blood Alcohol Concentration of 5.83.
It was after this that he found himself in the same treatment center he had been in four times before. He was seeing the same therapist he had worked with all those times before, but something different happened. In one of their sessions, she told him to shut up and listen for a change. He was shocked and stormed out.
When he came back the next day and said that he wouldn’t improve if they were at each other’s throats, she agreed and said that he still needed to shut up and listen. This is what finally stuck with him— he realized that maybe he had been missing something, that maybe he should try to listen.
Developing Self-Awareness and Finding a Higher Power
Patrick got into a home group that, as luck may have it, aligned with this listening-first attitude. One of the rules was that you can’t share in the meeting at all until you’ve made your first amends, which is the ninth step.
He took pen to paper and wrote about every relationship in his life in which he felt resentment, which was about seventy percent of all his relationships. He relinquished his pride and inhibitions and started to do the work, turning himself over to a higher power.
In doing this, he began to uncover patterns in his own behavior and feelings. Patrick developed his self-awareness, realizing some of the reasons for those behaviors and feelings. Now, he has accepted that a higher power is at work, beyond his own individual will.
He came to realize that he confused his own sensitivities from past experiences with malice, when others weren’t doing anything of offence. His embrace of a higher power helps him to accept these feelings and sensitivities, instead of ruminating.
Fulfillment Without Drugs and Alcohol
Patrick is coming up on five years sober now and he has finally filled his void. The void was a lack of purpose and Alcohol was filling it, but now he has found purpose in helping others.
For years and years, he didn’t like the word ‘potential’ because his potential was never fulfilled. In recovery, Patrick has let go of his want to control and put his trust in a higher power. He holds himself accountable and faces himself honestly. He makes himself available to help others. Through these things, Patrick finally feels like he is fulfilling his potential.
If you feel a void inside, like Patrick did, and you have been using substances to fill it, you can find fulfillment too. You are not alone; there are many people who want to help you and tons of resources available. Call (866)578-7471 to speak with someone who can help.
38 comments
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Awesome he’s been sober 5 years. How is he doing now?
A Wonderful Experience shared by Patrick.We all need self-awareness to fulfil our Potentials.
Happy for Patrick for now fulfilling his potentials. Good to hear about his recovery and try to give yourself a little high self-esteem.
Knowing when to ask for help is the first stage of recovery. It really means alot reading pieces like this, happy for you man
Glad to know that there is fulfillment without being addicted to alcohol and drug.Thanks to detox to rehab for sharing this life transforming article
It is quite unfortunate that he was addicted at the age of just thirteen years old. He went into the treatment program and relapsed once again, and I think this was something that he should have addressed. Relapsing is one of the worst things that could ever happen to you. I remember relapsing to my addiction around 13 years ago and that day was a horrible day for me!
wow..I’m impressed…coming up to five years sober is not a small feat..some people inspire of the love and care they get from their parents still fill a kind of void which they feel can be filled only with alcohol or drugs…I’m glad Patrick didn’t allow his habit to kill him..thanks for sharing
Amazing life experience. He did the high and lows. Good thing he’s doing okay now. I’m equally glad he eventually listened to his therapist.
It’s just so unfortunate that some people feel they can feel a void by abusing drugs..that’s the case with Patrick..I’m glad he is clean now..5 years is no joke ..good one
At times alcohol deprived one of his or her love fo some recreational activities.
This is so beautiful. Such superb change very pleased he’s doing good and he’s well now.
Patrick’s determination for higher power and self awareness is really challenging. Glad he is good. Thanks for sharing
This really feels good, find an higher calling after recovery. What a lucky man, its always good to ask for help at the right time. Thanks for sharing
I love reading stories of addiction that found higher power during recovery, it’s a blessing believe me. Keep been clean man….we love you
Thank God Patrick found help in fulfilling his potentials, stay story. Detox to rehab thanks for sharing this amazing story of recovery.
Its a sad one for Patrick, he simply embraced alcohol from early childhood. I’ll say his parents didn’t take absolute control of care during Patrick’s childhood time, that’s why he grew wild.
Somethings that seems impossible to do, becomes possible when you set your mind to it. Patrick felt he couldn’t go through with the treatment, until he realised that greater power. Congratulations to him for being sober for the past 5 years now.
It is definitely great to have read and heard his story. Knowing that someone who has been through a lot and seems not to have a chance to change has got a will to really change. he is a fighther.
Nice. He finally realized that listening should be a thing. Sometimes all we need to listen so that we can understand what we are saying.
It’s Long For get sober but finnaly you are the winner and you clean ,keep happy life bro after sober
Its rare for someone to say or at least complain because their folks has always been there? lol, Its rare and I know that too much is bad even if it is a good thing. To be honest though I rather have anyone who supports me even if it is overboard than none at all. Lucky him.
This feels so great. Happy for Patrick for fulfilling his dreams
Addiction is so crazy. This article made realize that even when there are loving parents around some of us we will still end up falling victim of the mess. It is so much enlightening.
This the power of alcohol yang drugs. Even a good boy can become a bad people. That’s way we should always aware with our children even they’re look fine, cause we never know what they fell inside.
Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.These type of stories are really very much inspirational for many people who are addicted with something.
It is very nice that Patrick came back to originality and left addiction behind. It is very motivating for the people who are addicted.
This blog is very interesting and informative. He holds himself accountable and faces himself honestly. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Drug addicts thinks that the drugs they take is everything to them. What they don’t know is that there is a higher power that can give them the peace they desire. I am glad Patrick was able to connect to this higher power.
So happy for Patrick’s recovery. I just learnt from his story that one must be purposeful in life in order to avoid void holes in our life.
Good to hear about his recovery and try to give yourself a little high self-esteem. This blog is very informativ and inspirational. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Almost every individual takes alcohol. Patrick did not realize his addiction on time but am happy he followed the path to recovery.
If you feel you are neglected., you are not alone. Theres hope and all you need to do is to reach out for help.
This is an awesome testimony. I pray his recovery is permanent.
The most important part of this story is his ability to recognise that he needed help. Thank God he was able to get one.
There is no way one will be engaging in drug addiction and such a person will not be affected negatively. Thanks to Detox Rehab for their assistance in his recovery.
Patrick is lucky to get caring parents. Otherwise may get suffer to alcohol is the is the reason. It’s okay. End well means everything well. Patrick will be more confident now and have a great journey ahead.
Thank you for sharing Patrick’s story with us! It’s good that he got help and is now doing better than ever. Hope that he continues his journey to recovery. Cheers to him!