Owen’s Success Story of Sobriety and Overcoming Addiction

My name is Owen, and for most of my adult life, I believed I was trapped by a drug addiction I could never break. I was far from the person I once dreamed of being; I lost my job, alienated my family, and missed the trust of the few friends I had. Addiction took everything—my time, my career, and my future.

Growing up, I was sociable, and the one friends wanted at their parties. I liked to make people laugh and be the center of attention. A couple of cocktails started as a way to amp up the fun and to feel confident. But what began as harmless relaxing turned into a severe dependency. By the time I reached my late twenties, alcohol, marijuana, and drugs weren’t something I did for fun—they were the helpers to live the day.

The spiral was slow at first. I was able to keep my job for a while, although my behavior became erratic. My family became worried, but I ignored their warnings. “I have it under control,” I would say, even when I was late for work or completely missed family events. But the cracks in my life grew deeper, and eventually, everything fell apart. I was fired and lost my apartment and my family’s trust.

Rock bottom came one cold night when I was sleeping in my car. I had no money and nowhere to go. I admitted that I needed help.

Unexpectedly, a friend I hadn’t spoken to in years agreed to meet with me. Dean was an addict in recovery, and he told me about various medical detox programs and a sober house that had changed his life and asked me to think about it. However, the idea of sharing my struggles with strangers felt unbearable, and I had no money to rent a room there. But I decided to give it a try, found Eco Sober, and called my parents to get help.

Moving into the facility was a challenge because I was ashamed. Then I understood that this house was more than a place to stay—it was a place to heal. The regime was strict: curfews, chores, and mandatory meetings. At first, it felt overwhelming, but gradually, I began to see the benefits. For the first time in years, I had a sense of stability. The roommates understood what I was going through because they had been there themselves. Their stories of battling alcohol addiction mirrored my own, so I wasn’t alone.

Individual therapy became the ground of my recovery. I found a psychologist for addicts and started to investigate the roots of my problems. I found out that my drug addiction wasn’t just a series of bad choices—it was a response to unresolved pain and a lack of coping mechanisms.

As I worked on my mental health, I also began to rebuild my life practically. I took a part-time job at a local restaurant, a small but important step in regaining my independence. At first, it was humbling to start in the lowest position for students. But each day brought a sense of accomplishment, and I began to feel pride in myself again.

Living in Eco Sober also gave me time to reflect on what I wanted for my future. Now, over two years clean, I’ve turned my love of art into a career. During my time living in the community, I rediscovered my passion for drawing, something I hadn’t done since I was a teenager. What started as therapeutic tasks grew into a small business.

Today, I work as a freelance graphic designer and create logos and illustrations for local companies and stock communities. It’s a job that lets me express myself. In my case, rehabilitation was not only about sobriety; it helped me unlock the parts of myself I thought were lost forever.

Remember, recovery is a real challenge; it’s a path with ups and downs. You will want to break all promises and turn to the previous way of life because it’s more understandable. But every step forward, no matter how small, makes you closer to your goal.

Sober house gave me more than a second chance—it gave me the strength to build a new life. If you’re reading this and feeling stuck, I want you to know there’s hope. No matter how far you’ve fallen, it’s never too late to turn things around.