How I Went from Gaming and Drinking to a Life I’m Proud Of
I am 19 years old, and I am a recent graduate of the reSTART Life program. I was informed by Cosette Rae that [people] were interested in hearing from participants in the program about our experience, and I would be happy to share my side of the story.
I first came to reSTART last year at the very end of July after a rough year of declining health and increasing gaming and drinking. I came all the way across the country from Gainesville, Florida, at the recommendation of my therapist at the time. The decision to travel to Washington has been one of the best decisions of my life.
At first, I wasn’t too sure about the whole move out here, as I was still in the thrall of my games. For the first few weeks I wasn’t the happiest camper in the treatment center. But eventually, I started to realize that this was exactly where I needed to be. I could see and feel the changes going on within my body and mind. For the first time in my life, I could use the word “strong” when describing myself due to extensive CrossFit workouts organized by the reSTART staff.
I had all the therapy I could wish for, and then some. The entire staff was composed of helpful and kind people who wanted, from the bottom of their hearts, for me and the rest of the guys in my group to change our life. I believe that without the complete support of these therapists and other staff, I wouldn’t have had such a great experience with reSTART.
I think I still hold the record for longest stay in the inpatient intensive house due to my unwillingness to fully open myself up to the program until late in my stay.
I was very passive towards my recovery up until the last month or two, when Cosette and I started to have individual sessions dealing with trauma I had in my past which had led to some PTSD and may have influenced my gaming and alcohol addictions. These sessions opened up my eyes to how badly I really had screwed my life up through the games and the drinks.
After that, I started to take my recovery seriously, and was approved to move on into the offsite intensive care program. During my 6 months in the apartments, I had gotten a car, gotten a job, and just recently started getting involved in a relationship with a girl from work. These are things that I had never really done since my time was taken up by a tiny amount of work at a job that I had only gotten because my boss was my best friend’s mother and my games. Back then, my life was composed of sleeping, eating, going to work, coming home, gaming till I couldn’t keep my eyes open, and rinse and repeat.
Now I work almost full time, spend time with my girlfriend, see my friends from the program, and still have time to relax at the apartment that I now fully pay for by myself with no help from my parents or reSTART. I have to say that it is a good feeling to be able to live my life again without the constant draw of games or alcohol. I just hit ten months of sobriety from games and alcohol, and I feel like I am in the best shape, mentally and physically, of my life.
I couldn’t have done any of this without the help of Cosette and reSTART. To be brutally honest, by now I would have either been homeless, in jail, or dead from overdose on alcohol or some other drugs. I am immensely grateful to all the people who helped me on my way, from the staff at reSTART to the other participants in the program.
If you have any more questions for me, please do not hesitate to shoot me an email. I am always happy to share my wonderful experience with reSTART.
Former Client (Used with Permission)
Recovery from drinking and gaming takes time to be lasting, but it is possible. If you’re facing challenges with tech overuse, substance use, or trauma, you’re not alone. We’re here to help you take the next step.
