Addiction Stops Here
Success Stories
Nate
Finding Wholeness Beyond the Void of Addiction:
Nate's Journey to Recovery at Swift River
Finding Wholeness Beyond the Void of Addiction
At just 21 years old, Nate faced the devastating loss of his father while struggling with addiction. Today, with 20 months of sobriety, he’s transformed his grief and struggles into a mission to help others at Swift River, the very place where his recovery journey began.
Early Wounds and the Path to Addiction
Growing up with divorced parents who only met in courtrooms, Nate developed deep-seated feelings of unworthiness early in life. “That gave me a sense of not being good enough and to love me, there has to be conditions,” he recalls. These emotional wounds would later fuel his descent into addiction.
The Progression of Substance Use
Though he excelled at hockey and maintained friendships, Nate’s first drink at age 14 changed everything. “I absolutely loved everything it did for me,” he shares. “It took away all that feeling of not being good enough.” What started as occasional use quickly escalated into daily consumption, leading him to abandon his beloved hockey and sever ties with family and friends.
Multiple Attempts at Recovery
The depth of his addiction became apparent through a series of treatment attempts and relapses. “I thought Nate knows best,” he reflects on his first try at recovery. “So Nate can do it, and Nate took his will and he made it 62 days before he relapsed.”
Facing Loss in Active Addiction
The death of his father in July 2021 triggered his most severe period of substance abuse. “Who’s gonna blame the kid who just lost his dad at 21 years old to a motorcycle accident for going and wanting to go get messed up?” Nate recalls. “No one blamed me.”
The Turning Point
After multiple attempts at treatment, including brief stays and immediate relapses, Nate reached his turning point on January 1st following a particularly harsh New Year’s Eve. “I went harder than I’ve ever gone before,” he says. “I decided in that moment maybe those people were right. Maybe everything they suggested was right, because the life I’m living… it’s not nearly as fulfilling.”
Building a New Life in Recovery
Today, Nate’s life has transformed dramatically. He’s returned to playing hockey, rebuilt trust with family members, and now works at Swift River helping others find their path to recovery. “I live a life that’s so beautiful now, so, so beautiful,” he shares. “These are all things that Nate, if he was using, never would have done.”
Finding Strength Through Loss
His experience with loss has given him a unique perspective on handling life’s challenges in sobriety. When his mother passed away in December, he stayed sober by utilizing the tools and support network he’d built. “I realized that I can’t bring her back. There’s nothing I can do to change it,” he reflects. “Only thing I can do is handle it.”
Nate’s story exemplifies the possibility of transformation even in the face of profound loss and repeated setbacks. His journey from multiple relapses to sustained recovery shows that with the right support and willingness to change, lasting sobriety is achievable.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, especially while dealing with grief or loss, know that healing is possible. Swift River’s comprehensive treatment program can help you navigate both addiction and trauma in a supportive, understanding environment. Don’t let another day pass in the grip of addiction. Call us at 888-451-5895 to begin your journey to a life beyond your expectations.
