Mark Houston Recovery

Miserable in Sobriety: How I Found a Life of Abundance After Recovery

Simply removing drugs and alcohol from an addict’s lifestyle and body leaves a massive void that must be filled by something. If the addict does not learn positive, productive new habits and new ways of thinking, the chances of relapse are astronomical.

For those who remain sober, life can feel very unfulfilling.

This is what happened to me. I led a miserable life of sobriety for nine years before I finally began to discover positive ways to fill the void left by alcohol. Without a healthy way to view the world and handle life’s challenges, staying sober was a constant struggle.

This is precisely the reason why I designed the Mark Houston Drug and Alcohol Recovery Center as a three month program. Shorter term drug rehab programs are extremely valuable – in fact, we require that all of our residents have been through a least one drug rehab program before entering.

However, the rate of relapse after completing short term treatment is very high. Though people learn the fundamental principals needed for recovery in short term programs, they simply don’t have the time to live out and practice these principals in a real environment. Most people need a longer continuum of care to truly master the skills needed for a life of permanent sobriety.

Once I discovered how to create energy and joy from within and contribute to the world as a whole rather than taking away from it, my life changed dramatically. For all of those nine years until I began to travel down this path of discovery, I was at risk for relapsing into a drunkard’s life or killing myself from the depression I was feeling.

Now I see life for all of its possibilities. I see life’s inconsistencies a part of a greater, grander picture of organization. I don’t feel so out of control because I understand that the world is in a constant state of flux and I understand my part in it.

My hope is that no one has to suffer through the long years that I did, miserable in sobriety or worse, reverting back to an addict’s life after having come so far.

Seeking an extended care program doesn’t mean that you’re weak or that you’ve failed. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It takes a great deal of courage to admit that you need more help. Most people do need more help, but won’t take it. They tell themselves that they’ve tried a treatment program and failed, so they just must not be worthy or capable of recovery.

This is simply not true.

If you think that you or someone you know is on the verge of relapsing, please take responsibility for your life and enroll in a program with a longer continuum of care.

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