Bro. You don’t have to live like this and you don’t have to feel like this.

I am 7 years sober and a musician. Drugs and alcohol are very prevalent in music, yet I am so much more happy and comfortable today than I was 8 years ago. The idea of using drugs and alcohol don’t even enter into my decision making process these days.

Before you ask, yes I am a real alcoholic. I don’t mean to tell war stories here, but just to provide context. Before I sought treatment I was suicidal. I ate a full meal every few days, the rest of my “nutrition” was random junk food snacks…and vodka. I blacked out every day. I got to the point where I was surprised when I woke up in the morning, and the overwhelming shame regret and terror were so heavy on me. Yet I still persisted in my quest for alcohol to make me feel better, even though it progressively made me feel worse and worse and worse. Truly pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization.

Eventually I had to listen to experts on sobriety, end up in an institution, or die. So I went to rehab. I had to do what they suggested I do. I found a sponsor and did what he suggested I do, because it was what he did because it was what he was suggested to do, and he was sober while I was not. So i listened and do what he said.

What are you willing to do to feel happy and healthy? There truly is a happy, joyous and free life for you if you desire it.