In episode 82, Mitch Payne explains how he went from “boys being boys”, to petty theft charges, to a full-blown addiction. 17-year-old Mitch was always against drugs and alcohol until his friends brought ecstasy on a camping trip, Mitch gave into peer pressure & the doors of addiction swung open. His friends later introduced him to alcohol, he stated “I was an alcoholic right away”. He began drinking to excess during his college years & his life became unmanageable. Mitch went to treatment 12 times before he truly surrendered. After moving back to Utah from Arizona & getting arrested, Mitch was bombarded with all of the emotions he had been suppressing with different substances for the past nine years. He knew he needed to make a change, his willingness led him to his last time in treatment and to the AA fellowship. He chose a sponsor he knew would walk through the steps with him. Today, Mitch has over 5 years clean!