My name is Keith, and I am an alcoholic. My journey with alcohol and drugs started at an early age. I grew up in a broken, abusive home where drinking and drug use were the norm. My first experiences with alcohol began when I was just 5 or 6 years old. My mom would let me drink a wine cooler, and at parties, I would go around drinking the half-full beers that people left unattended.
When I turned 13, my mom introduced me to cocaine, telling me, “If you ever do drugs, do coke.” Following that, I was forced into selling drugs for her. Throughout my teens, I spent almost every weekend drinking myself into oblivion, trying to keep up with my big brother. At the time, it seemed like fun, but in reality, I was fueling an addiction that was lying in wait, ready to rear its ugly head.
In 2012, my mom and my son both passed away, three months apart from one another. This tragic loss led me to mask my feelings with more alcohol and other substances. Despite this, I managed to get sober for a short period and got back on my feet. I was moderately successful, with money, cars, a house, and friends—everything a guy in his early 20s could want. My work put me right in the middle of the party life—bars, clubs, and party crowds. I got greedy and went back to illegal business dealings.
Soon, I found myself in a relationship with a partier, and I started drinking every day and on weekends. It didn’t matter anymore, and when alcohol wasn’t enough, I turned to other substances. In 2016, I attempted a geographic change by moving to Redding. That didn’t turn out well. During my first week there, my car and all my belongings were stolen. Initially, I started stealing to survive, but it quickly spiraled into more serious crimes.
By 2018, after numerous arrests and multiple felonies, I still hadn’t learned my lesson. It wasn’t until I was stabbed that I got my wake-up call. It became clear that for this alcoholic, it was literally jails, institutions, or death. After leaving the hospital, I was arrested again, but this time, I wasn’t getting out easily. I ended up being released to the Addicted Offender Program, and it changed my life.
I immediately got a sponsor, started working the steps, got involved in the program, took on commitments, and shared my experiences whenever asked. This program saved my life. Today, I have a wife, kids, a home that I own, and an amazing career path. I am trusted, appreciated, and have value. The only way this can be taken away from me is if I make the conscious decision to walk away. Fortunately, I have been taught the tools I need to avoid that path.