1 year clean and serene – A journey of battling addiction with Diabetes

This morning, I attended CrossFit—getting back into my routine after a short holiday break. Being back at the box is helping me restore both my routine and my mindset.

Today marks a significant milestone in my life—one year clean and sober, free from the prison of addiction. A year ago, I stood at a crossroads, where the only way forward was to seek professional help through Narcotics Anonymous (NA). At the time, I justified my actions with countless excuses, oblivious to their impact on my life, my surroundings, and my well-being.

After multiple close calls with my life and enduring two severe episodes of psychosis and mental breakdown, I made the decision to walk into an NA meeting. For the first time, I started opening up—unpacking the past I had buried and confronting the lingering problems I had ignored for so long.

You can only bury or run from your demons for so long before they catch up with you. That moment when you finally say, “No more,” is when you create the space for real change. Many call it a journey, but for me, it has been an internal expedition—facing the parts of myself that I had buried, despised, and even feared, both known and unknown.

Addiction comes in many forms. While it’s often associated with extreme cases, the truth is that many people struggle with some form of addiction in their lives. In the early days, I committed to attending 120 meetings in 90 days, gradually transitioning to 3-4 meetings a week, and now, I attend once a week. Through this journey, I have freed myself from pain and the recurring nightmares that once dominated my life and influenced my actions.

I wouldn’t have made it this far without the unwavering support of my wife, Vicky, close friends who stood by me, my NA group, and professional therapy. Thanks to them, I can now live a life that I’m proud of and face whatever challenges life throws my way, one day at a time.

My message today is one of hope, possibility, and the power of change. No matter where you are on your path, know that change is possible. If you ever need support, advice, or just someone to talk to, I’m here. Feel free to reach out—I’m always willing to help in any way I can.