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Have you ever felt like you were constantly putting on a show, hiding who you truly are? That’s exactly how Michael felt before embarking on his incredible journey to recovery at LESC.
This isn’t your typical “hit rock bottom” story. Michael’s story breaks down the traditional idea of recovery as a straight and narrow path and instead talks about how recovery is a journey of self-discovery, addressing underlying issues, and building a fulfilling life. By openly sharing his story, Michael hopes to break the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery, potentially inspiring others to seek help.
Unlike what many people may picture, Michael’s journey to recovery wasn’t sparked by a single, dramatic event. Instead, it was a culmination of a deeper yearning for authenticity and a growing awareness of the toll addiction was taking on his life.
Michael felt like he was constantly playing a role, a character he created in order to fit in or to be liked. “So, I started to conform, manipulate, and lie, and become a different person around different people to be liked by those groups of people. In that process, I lost my identity. And I remember looking in the mirror and not knowing who I’m looking at because of all these different characters I’m playing. So that’s what really led me to being, like, at peace with my addiction and at war with the world.”
Addiction fueled this inauthenticity, allowing him to escape facing his true self. “Recovery is the opposite. I’m at war with my addiction; I’m at peace with the world. So, the loss of identity allowed the opportunity for the drugs to come into my life from the escape of having people believe things about me that weren’t true.”
Growing up around addiction, it may have seemed like a familiar or even normal part of life for Michael. But as he delved deeper, he recognized the destructive cycle it perpetuated. Seeking treatment became a way to break free from this pattern and build a healthier future, not just for himself but potentially for future generations of his family.
Michael’s time at LESC wasn’t just about achieving sobriety; it began a transformative journey toward rediscovering himself and building a purposeful life. LESC provided a safe space for Michael to shed the masks he’d worn for so long. Through therapy and support groups, he began to peel back the layers of addiction and reconnect with his true self.
Recovery helped Michael find himself without even trying. “I became the person I needed to be in recovery. Without the overwhelming anxiety of learning how to become a new person, I instead learned how to become a better version of my real self. Recovery allows my mind to make me see. Because I knew myself in active addiction, it happened. I didn’t know myself in recovery.” This shift in focus allowed Michael to explore his motivations, values, and passions – the foundation for building an authentic life.
Addiction can leave a void in a person’s life. At LESC, Michael found the tools and support to fill that void with meaning and purpose. LESC staff, particularly Joffrey and Bradley, acted as mentors during his journey and had a positive influence on his healing journey. Their guidance helped Michael deal with the loss of his mother, and helped him stay committed to his recovery.
Recovery isn’t just about stopping the use of substances; it’s about addressing the underlying issues that contributed to the addiction in the first place. There is no quick fix. For Michael, recovery was a dynamic process filled with triumphs and setbacks. He views relapse as part of that process, not a failure. “If you could be aware of your relapses, meaning understanding when you’re starting to deteriorate, that will strengthen your recovery the more you work on it. So relapse, to me, is a part of the recovery when we actually are identifying what leads to our addiction.”
Michael found that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Focusing solely on achieving a state of complete “cleanliness” can be overwhelming and discouraging. Through his time at LESC, Michael learned to celebrate his progress, no matter how small. Every day he stayed sober, every trigger he resisted, every healthier coping mechanism he employed – these were all victories worth recognizing.
Based on his experience at LESC, Michael reflected on why recovery matters and why individuals struggling need to take the leap:
While Michael embraces the idea that every recovery journey is different, he hopes to continue recovering out loud. Michael explained, “We show the world our addiction, but then we go anonymous in our recovery. I don’t understand that. So I recover out loud. I’m showing both sides because how else are people going to understand what it is and the work it takes every day and then maybe change their perception of what an addict is and what we could become? I don’t believe in anonymous. I don’t. And I’m very loud about that.”
Michael is proud to share his life, to share why recovery matters, and to share his journey in an effort to break the stigma surrounding addiction and encourage individuals to seek recovery – and whatever that may mean for them.
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Recovery is a process. That’s why the programs at LESC are not time-sensitive, they’re goal-sensitive. We work to address the individual needs of clients at every level, so they can become productive citizens in the communities where they live.
A healthier, more fulfilling life can be yours. Call or email us now to arrange a screening interview. A trained intake counselor is waiting to help you begin the admissions process.
Call: (347) 538-2632
Or email us at: info@lesc.org
We’re committed to nurturing resilient recovery through a program of treatment, supportive housing, education, and energized community engagement. Discover the relationships, the resources, and the safe and sound support system to begin your journey.
