| The Story of My Recovery (continued) |
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When I was 28, after
getting out of jail for the last time, I met the woman that I wanted
to be with the rest of my life. Eight months later we were
married. We had lots of fun together doing drugs for periods
of time and then getting off drugs and ultimately going back to
doing drugs. This went on for the first three years of our
marriage. Then my wife got pregnant with our son. While she was pregnant we stayed off drugs and we both kept jobs. We started using again after my son was born. Eighteen months later we had another child (our daughter) and once again we had stayed clean while she was pregnant. During the course of our married life, we lived with various family members, first one and then another—moving constantly. We had several places that we had rented but ultimately lost because of evictions or other drug-related reasons. While in our addiction my family members all lost contact with me because I was not a pleasant person to be around. In May of 2004, the drug use and partying led us to live in a trailer park in Vallejo, California. There were more drugs there than anywhere I had ever lived before. The fighting with my wife had escalated to the point that I could not stand it any more. The drug use was so out of control that I was using any means to get them. On May 30, 2004 I decided that I had had enough! That was the day that I decided that drugs had controlled my life long enough. That was the last time I took any drugs. At that time I asked my wife if she wanted to get clean with me. She told me that she didn't want to quit. I then told her that I didn't think that we should be together any longer. I contacted a family member who knew about a program that could help me. I made arrangements to have my kids taken care of, away from my wife's care.  On June 11, 2004, I came to Archway and became a member of the
family here. I learned about this disease that I have and what
I have to do to stay clean and sober. I had nine months of
treatment and still had to attend aftercare, though the time I was
required to do so has long since passed. I do this to enhance my sobriety. I also attend 12-step meetings, have a sponsor, and come to Archway everyday to help out with whatever I can. I have set a goal to become a counselor and work here someday. Right now I am a single father, raising my two children, ages two and four, and struggling with only a part-time job so I can be there for them. I feel like Archway has helped save my life and given me a new direction. Archway is very supportive of my children and me. They are always there for me, whether I need advice, help with the kids, a ride or support through any problem aI have. Today, I am proud of the man I have become. I am proud of being drug-free and of being a good parent and a productive person. |
