Meet George

PROS participants publish class newsletter, interview their peers

Did you know that our PROSperity (PROS) mental health program participants have been publishing their own newsletter each semester?

With the help of PROS Practitioner Kristen Lane and other program staff, 12 participants recently pieced together a 4-page newsletter, titled PROS: Perspective.

The most recent edition of the newsletter raises awareness of opioid addiction and alcoholism, recaps recent events and award accomplishments, and includes a candid interview of a PROS participant and GRACE House/SLF resident, George, as well as a “Words of Wisdom” column.

As part of his contribution to the newsletter, PROS participant Martin interviewed George on his sobriety journey.

Kristen praised Martin’s willingness to try something new in conducting a peer interview; especially on the difficult subject of one’s sobriety journey.

The following is an excerpt from Martin’s interview of George. George recently celebrated a year of sobriety this past month.

M: At what age did you first start using?

George: Fifteen.

M: What is the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome in your sobriety?

George: In the beginning, totally admitting to my powerlessness over drugs and alcohol and totally coming to terms with the fact that I could no longer use drugs and alcohol responsibly.

M: Is there something that was a wake-up call for you?

George: I started doing other drugs, and then I was putting myself in dangerous positions. My life was going nowhere.

And then one morning, I just woke up. I was like: “This is it? This is going to be the rest of my life?”

I decided to get some help.

M: You talked about “powerlessness” before. Can you explain?

George: To me, it means admitting defeat. When it comes to using, I have no control once I start. They only time I can stop is when I pass out.

M: I see, and are there people who have supported you?

George: My mom did, before she died. I have a younger sister, a stepmother; I have my friends and my support network, PROS, Unity House. I have a lot of people.

M: Do you have coping skills that help you maintain sobriety, like when you feel the urge?

George: Thank God, I haven’t had any urges. But, when it comes to dealing with life – life on life’s terms – I have an awesome support network where, when I find myself in crisis, I can honestly talk about it. I can get some suggestions, be willing to follow the suggestions, and then ultimately find peace and move forward.

M: Do you feel like your substance use was a way of self-medicating; a way to cover something up or cope with something?

George: To be honest with you, when I was getting high, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the lifestyle. I enjoyed getting high. I enjoyed the interactions with people. And, you know, there were times when I was depressed about certain situations, and I would mask it with drugs and alcohol.

M: What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting to think about sobriety?

George: Get into it. Embrace it. Get involved. Go to meetings. Do service work. Get a sponsor.

And to someone who hasn’t started using yet, I would say: “Don’t start.”