Despite a rocky beginning, Recovery is still attainable

By Brandon K.

My life before coming to Gatehouse Academy is what most people would call “insane”.  My alcohol use started in December of 2007, when I was 17. I was a junior in high school, and was having trouble-finding friends. I like to say I felt out of place. As soon as I got a drink in me at the first party I went to, I immediately felt that I had finally found the solution to all of my problems. I felt all I needed in life was alcohol, and everything else would simply fall into place. For the next five months I drank every weekend, and one or two times during the week. That is until August 25, 2008. This is the day my father passed away suddenly at his desk at work. After this day my drinking went on a wild road. Two weeks after my father died, my grandma passed away. There was no stopping me now. I was drinking 6 days a week, coming home drunk at all different times of the night. My mom was finally at her wits end, and sent me to a 14-day rehab program. I did not want to get sober AT ALL. Two hours after getting out of the rehab, I was drunk again. I broke into my house, got arrested, and was taken to the psych ward. I was there for 8 days and was then transported by escorts to a wilderness program in West Virginia. I was there for about 2 months, then the program went out of business. I thought I was going home, but my mom has other plans. From the wilderness program I was transported to Wickenburg, Arizona. I got here and was taken to the ranch part of the program. At first, all I said was that I would leave when I turned 18. When I got up to main property and turned 18, I left. As soon as I left I went into a grocery store, stole a bottle, and drank till I blacked out. I woke up at the hospital with residents of gatehouse standing over me. I came back to gatehouse the next day. My life since my relapse has been getting better and better. I am finally starting to get what sobriety is all about. I have so much fun here, and to my amazement, and I have friends even though I am not drinking. I love my life right now. I have about 4 months left at Gatehouse Academy, and I wish I had more time. I have so much gratitude for Gatehouse Academy and everything they do.