What Addiction Took, and What Recovery Gave Back

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I spent 10 years as a welder in the oil fields, grinding through 12-hour shifts and masking the chaos in my head. But the hardest part of my story isn't the manual labor—it’s what I lost along the way.

At the height of my addiction, I lost custody of my children.

If you’ve ever felt that kind of gut-wrenching failure, you know it’s a hole you don't think you can ever climb out of. My wife and I were in the trenches of addiction together, struggling just to survive the day.

The Long Road Home

Nine years ago, we chose a different path. We got sober together. It wasn't overnight, and it wasn't easy, but we did the work.

Today, our lives look completely different:

The Restoration: I didn’t just get my kids back; I got to be the father they deserve. My oldest is now in University—a milestone I once feared I’d never see.

The Gift of Recovery: We had another child after we got sober. This child has never seen the "old" versions of us. They only know a home built on stability and presence.

The Mission: Both my wife and I now work in careers dedicated to helping others find their way out of the dark. We went from being the ones in need of a lifeline to being the ones throwing it.

Why I’m Telling You This

I’m not sharing this to brag. I’m sharing it because I know how it feels to think you’ve permanently broken your life. I want you to know that restoration is possible. Whether it’s your career, your mental health, or your family, you can build something better than what you lost.

I’m grateful for every "boring" day I get to spend with my family now, because I remember when those days were an impossible dream.

I’d love to hear from you:

What is one thing in your life that you are fighting to protect or win back right now?

I’m here to listen.

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