My last article focused on protecting our teens against drugs, but can we protect them against themselves?
Here are some disturbing facts: Alcohol is the most abused substance in Colorado (Weld County 2013 Communication Health Survey). Alcohol users represent 19.3% of America’s youth ages 12-20 (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics). In 2018 there were 67,367 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). And, suicide claimed the lives of 5,016 males and 1,225 females between the ages of 15-24 in the U.S. in 2017 (Journal of the American Medical Association).
This is Vaughn’s Story:
“My name is Vaughn O. I am 21 years old. I started drinking alcohol when I was 17 years old.
“It started with hanging around with friends and going to parties. Most of my friends were either drinking alcohol or doing drugs or both. Before I knew it I was asked by friends to join them. I felt accepted.
“The fist drug I tried was cocaine. It made me feel excited, happy and invincible. I wanted more and more. Cocaine was my chaser to alcohol, acid and other drugs.
“I was a senior in high school. I felt a little depressed and lonely. My mother and father were not together and I missed my mom. It was difficult not having a mom like other kids. My extended family is a large family who is very close. Even though they have always been supportive I felt something or someone was missing.
“My senior year was also tough. My friends started changing — some found other friends and dropped off. Change is difficult for me and I was out of sorts. I started going to a lot of EDM concerts and everyone was doing acid, so I did, too.
“I was doing acid 3 or 4 times a week and still getting high from alcohol and cocaine. Then in walked MDMA — molly and ecstasy.
“I stopped drugs, as alcohol was less expensive and easier to get. I started drinking whiskey a lot and whiskey became my life. Alcohol consumed me. It interfered with my employment and my family. I started distancing from my family and not attending dinners and social events with them.
“It was all about my secret addiction and not wanting my family to know. I hated the way I felt and hangovers were Hell! I knew I was addicted. I moved out of my Father’s house and moved in with some friends.
“Cocaine became a part of my life again as I had never really given it up. I was stealing alcohol from my roommates. I was out of control and 4 months into the lease I moved back home.
“I decided to go to WyoTech in Laramie Wyoming to be a Diesel Mechanic. It was worse than I imagined. I was alone with no family and to make it worse two months after I moved there my best friend committed suicide.
“To numb my pain I drank a pint of whiskey three to four times per day. This continued for 8 months. I was good at keeping my addiction a secret.
“In 2020 I graduated from WyoTech and moved back home. I worked in Denver in Diesel Mechanics and I was working for a pet spa resort in Loveland. I love working with animals especially dogs. They are my greatest joy.
“I still was addicted and my life was unraveling. During Thanksgiving week I got drunk one night and totally lost control. I ended up in a treatment center close to home. I stayed for 2 nights. I had no intention of stopping drinking or letting go of my drug use.
“After I left the treatment center I relapsed after 3 weeks. I thought I could control my addiction and I found out I could not. This time with my families help I ended up at Recovery Village in Palmer Lake Colorado.
“With the help of the staff, encouragement from my family and friends I committed to a 30-day program and learned to love myself. I became sober!
“My life has changed and I am going back to school for a Physical Therapy Degree. I have a clear plan. I never want to be the person that I was. I am attending an outpatient program through the Recovery Village and I am seeing my counselor. I am also involved in AA and NA. I hope someday I can be a Sponsor and help others through their addiction.
“My message to those young people who are having problems with addiction is to admit you have a problem, be accountable, ask for help, let yourself be vulnerable and face your demons. Recovery is not easy! It’s not a destination but a journey. I am taking control of my life and I WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!”
Thank you Vaughn for sharing your story with us.
— Sandi Y. Squicquero M.Ed,.LPC, is a licensed professional counselor who works out of the Medical Hypnosis and Counseling Center at 1180 Main St., Suite 5B in Windsor. She has more than 30 years experience as a counselor and is board certified in medical hypnosis.
"story" - Google News
February 20, 2021 at 09:31PM
https://ift.tt/2NNVszd
Sandi Squicquero: Vaughn’s story of addiction and recovery - Greeley Tribune
"story" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YrOfIK
https://ift.tt/2xwebYA
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Sandi Squicquero: Vaughn’s story of addiction and recovery - Greeley Tribune"
Post a Comment