In today's episode, Ben and I talk with Nick, a client here at Rock Recovery Center. Nick originates from Cleveland, Ohio, and this is his first time in recovery at the age of 27. Listen in to this episode to find out how he became addicted to drugs at 11.

At a very young age, his first experience was smoking pot at age 11 and had his first drink at 12. Nick is close to his sister, whom he spent many afternoons after school hanging out.

Nick followed his dad, playing the same sports. His father was "more of a coach than a dad," coaching Nick in the sports he participated in as young as age three. His father always pushed him to be good at what he did in life. He also remembers his father hiding alcohol bottles around the house and drinking for hours by himself in the garage. In addition, Nick's dad would pass out in the hallway, drunk in the hotels, at sporting competitions. His mother is clean and has never been addicted to drugs.

At 13, Nick was in a fight and had several teeth knocked out. This led him to take narcotic pain medication. He quickly realized that taking a pain killer was a release from the physical pain from playing multiple sports. His parents did not monitor his pain medication and worked full-time. At 16, he had teeth pulled and had narcotics prescribed. Nick's doctor trusted he would take the narcotics as directed and is the reason he is addicted to drugs.

When he moved out of his house at 17 to play hockey, he moved in with three guys addicted to pain medication from multiple sports injuries. Nick brought the pot, and his friend came with narcotic drugs. Drugs ended up being a commonality between the two for the next four years.

He was kicked out of college and lost his scholarship. At this point, Nick returned home and went to community college and worked at a car dealership. Daily drinking eventually turned into a "game," where he and his friend would binge drink driving home from work. Nick finally realized that he needed help when his daughter was born, and he couldn't spend time with her because he needed to use drugs.

At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being.

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Show Notes:

• [04:07] Nick introduces himself and talks about how he became addicted.
• [08:03] He didn’t like drinking when he was young, but had his first drink at 12.
• [12:02] The progression of Nick’s addiction from the age of 16.
• [15:40] Nick’s college experience.
• [21:39] What led Nick to seek help at Rock Recovery Center. 
• [27:24] COVID hit and he stopped going to his recovery meetings back home.
• [31:59] Nick talks about the relapse that moved him into recovery.
• [35:17] Ben tells how hard he works to stay sober ten years after he stopped using.
• [36:54] Recovery expectations when Nick came in the center.
• [41:23] Tom’s challenge to Nick in recovery.

Episode Links and Resources

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• Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions