Understanding Addiction Recovery: One Person's Journey

David shares a raw and painful recovery story that began long before drugs and alcohol ever entered his life. At just eight years old, David was present during the heartbreaking decision to remove his mother from life support after years of alcoholism and trauma — a moment that left a lasting impact on him. By eleven, he lost his father on Christmas Eve. Those experiences shaped how he understood pain, masculinity, and survival. Looking for strength, David chased a version of “being a man” built