Brett’s Recovery Story
“I think I am a very strong person, but I knew personally I couldn’t stay clean and stay at home.”
Brett’s small hometown just west of St. Louis is a quiet place without much in the realm of opportunity or entertainment. Born into a family with three older brothers who actively abused substances, it didn’t take long for him to also be drawn into the lifestyle.
“I’d sit at home and I’d get clean, but then boredom would set in. And immediately I’d leave the house and there wasn’t a lot to do, so what would I turn to? I’d turn to going and getting high. It was really the only thing I knew how to do at that point. Until you’re out of it you don’t start having a sense of what to do and a way to make yourself feel good again. Because people who aren’t in their active addiction, they get enjoyment out of just simply sitting to watch a movie or going out and going for a walk with somebody. In active addiction you don’t find that.”
Already in an environment that normalized substance abuse, Brett never had the opportunity to experience much life had to offer outside of his hometown. Falling into patterns perpetuated by those around him, Brett’s life fell apart slowly, then all at once. He went from seeking drugs to resolve his boredom to hyperfixation on the next high. It drove a wedge between him and his family that Brett once resented but now understands.
“I was in a seven year long relationship that ended up being very toxic. That was the person I ended up using with every day. I would travel an hour and a half one way just to get drugs. There was always uncertainty of where I would be staying at night because mom and dad didn’t want me staying at their house when I was carrying around paraphernalia to get high with. They have grandbabies that they want to see and my brother wouldn’t allow them to come over when I was present because of the possibility of there even being drugs around them. Even if I didn’t have them. That’s something I held a lot of resentment toward but at the same time I tried to be understanding because if I had kids I wouldn’t want my kids to be around that.”
“It was very hard. Because I understood what I was doing wrong but I had no ability to change it.”
Following the dissolution of a toxic relationship based in mutual addiction, Brett realized he wanted better for his future. After struggling with chronic relapse while trying to get sober on his own, he recognized the need for help. Choosing Golden Peak Recovery was a chance to get away from the environment that perpetuated his addiction and experience something more.
“At Golden Peak Recovery, they really took us out and showed us the Denver area. Whether it was going into the mountains or just a simple walk around the street, it was very comforting. We were able to go out and play tennis almost daily if we wanted to. They definitely gave me a lot of structure because when I showed up I had no structure in my life at all.”
Beyond our beautiful grounds and the allure of Colorado’s natural beauty, Brett found a space to rediscover himself and who he is as a person. Our recovery-focused community of staff and peers alike helped to open his eyes in ways staying home never could.
“I love everybody here. They’re all awesome. I find myself having a different dynamic with each person. To start building those relationships was very eye-opening. There’s a lot of different walks of life out there, everybody is a little bit different– not only the staff but clients as well. It was cool to see where people came from and how they view things– very eye opening.”
Now armed with a new perspective and the tools he needs to navigate life’s challenges without falling back on old habits, Brett looks forward to a bright future. Coming from a family in construction, his plans include going to school for architectural and civil engineering to build a family business.
“It’s much more attainable now than it ever was in the past. Before I knew what I wanted to do, but now I actually see what steps I need to take to actually make it come true. Now I’ve gotten this fog out of the way and I’m starting to see things a little more clearly.”
For those who are still struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, he has simple advice:
“Everything’s a mindset. Instead of saying ‘I hope I do this one day’ say ‘I’m going to do it.’ Like I don’t ‘hope I get clean one day,’ I’m going to get clean. It’s not a choice.”
If you are ready to take control of your life and future, we’re here to help. Call us today for a free and confidential conversation about how we can best serve you. xxx-xxx-xxxx
