True Stories of Recovering Addicts That Overcame Depression And Addiction

Addictions Depression

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Finding the Light: Recovering Addicts Share the Ways They Overcame Depression and Addiction

Addiction can create a vicious cycle when it comes to depression. Dependency on a substance tends to amplify depression on its own — and it can also worsen any underlying issues that contribute to a depression sufferer’s mental health struggles. I spoke with a few recovering addicts who told me that although their habits were meant to be coping mechanisms, their occasional use eventually spiraled into addiction — and it wasn’t until they quit using that they found true mental harmony.

From Hollywood to happy: Ryan’s journey

Ryan’s substance abuse actually began during a happier time in his life — but ultimately it was what caused things to fall apart. After losing multiple work clients, quite a bit of money, and his fiancée, he packed his bags for Los Angeles in hope of a fresh start. Unfortunately, his big move led to him making a lot of the same detrimental decisions he’d made in the past.

“I didn’t have any plans in LA, so I started working at a Hollywood night club running lights — doing cocaine and ecstasy,” he said.

But even removing himself from the party scene couldn’t pull him out of his depression. Soon, he was using drugs just to make it through the day.

“I got a job working as a telemarketer for [a major corporate company] and I wanted to die,” he confessed. “I hated my job, I had no money, and I was living with friends in the Valley. That’s when I started drinking by myself during the day, watching Netflix, walking to Taco Bell, and walking to the liquor store for more booze.”

Ryan tried going to rehab, but ultimately relapsed. Though he’d found love again, his girlfriend ended things, telling him he needed to make recovery a priority. When he found himself drowning his sorrows in bottles of liquor, he finally realized she was right.

“Things fall into place when you do the next right thing,” he said.

And indeed they did. Ryan said that rehab taught him to look for the positives in life — both in and outside of himself — and he intends to keep that mindset moving forward.

“Treatment for me was about self-discovery and learning to be my best self,” he explained. “It’s always been there, but it was covered up for a long time.”

Tragedy, Loss, and Recovery: John’s story

It was a tragic car accident that sparked John’s descent into addiction. In the course of a year, he faced the death of his friend (who had been killed in the crash), more than 14 repearative surgeries, and the amputation of his lower leg.

“That’s when my painkiller addiction began — on top of alcohol. More substances were added in on top of that,” he said.

Though he had originally planned to become a counselor, John ended up working in Hollywood as an actor, stuntman, and amputee technical consultant.

“All along, I was using and heavily-addicted,” John recalled. “I couldn’t admit that I needed help. My wife and other loved ones tried to talk to me, but I ignored them thinking my problems would somehow, someday, level out and magically go away.”

Then tragedy struck again: he found his brother dead from an overdose. Like Ryan, John hoped that a cross-country move would give him a fresh start and a new perspective — but his dangerous ways of coping lingered:

“I was drinking and taking various prescription pills to cope with my fear, anxiety and chronic pain.”

After several attempts at treatment and relapses, he finally found lasting sobriety in Texas at the Treehouse. (http://www.treehouserehab.org/)

“There was always someone available to talk to, vent to, cry to — and they truly cared. It was so helpful to spew my problems and feel like I was being heard … [they] helped me identify things that I never knew impacted me,” John said.

Whether substance abuse sparks depression or exacerbates the issues at its core, addiction can be overcome. These brave recovering addicts proved that even from the depths of despair can come redemption — but sobriety is a vital component.

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Stories compliments of Constance Ray. Constance  started http://recoverywell.org with the goal of creating a safe place for people to share how addiction has affected them, whether they are combating it themselves or watching someone they care about work to overcome it. The goal is to share stories of hope from survivors who know that the fight against addiction is one worth having, because no matter how it affects you, life can get better.
 
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