My name is Brian and I’m a recovering addict. I was once a completely broken, empty shell of a man, caught in the grips of addiction and all the chaos it brings. What started as fun and partying eventually became nothing but pain, loss, fear, and shame, and no more ways to hide or run from it. My family and friends were just waiting for the worst phone call imaginable. It was hell on earth; the disease of addiction kept telling me to give up, but there was still part of me that was tired of the pain and wanted to live again. I hit rock bottom and knew that I wouldn’t survive if I continued down this path. I needed help and I could have never done it alone. Today I have over six years of sobriety and am living a life I could only dream of before. I am happy, healthy, and I’ll do anything I can to help those who are still suffering like I was, because that’s what people did for me. I would not be where I am today without the help and support of so many people, programs, organizations, friends, family, even complete strangers who simply understood and wanted to help. I continue to work on myself every day, and I hope I never forget where I was all those years ago. I am eternally grateful and blessed, but not a day goes by where I don’t think about the ones we have lost. Sober life is not always easy but it’s so worth it, I promise.