Matthew's Story
In the years leading up to the phone call to Simon House, my life had been on a downward spiral. Using and abusing drugs and alcohol to escape my reality.
I often pictured myself in a boxing ring with addiction, getting beaten to a pulp. My corner had thrown in the towel years ago, but I was unable to walk away from the fight.
When I made the call, it was with the last bit of hope in me. I left a voicemail asking for help, and two days later, I arrived at Simon House.
The first week was not an easy transition. With the level of my addiction, I hadn’t experienced any sort of structure or routine for many years. I was confrontational, but my resistance was met with patience and compassion. Many of the staff had been where I was now, and that helped reassure me.
I began attending classes, was introduced to the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and was made to feel like I belonged and that I was welcome, thanks to the other clients and staff. After a short time, I found a sponsor and began working through the 12 steps.
After that first month at Simon House, I found that some mental clarity had returned, and I was physically beginning to heal. Most importantly, I was learning and starting to practice the spiritual principles that would end up allowing me to find long-term freedom from my ailment. The clients I had met had turned to brothers and I was well on my way.
Two months into my journey, I had completed up to step 5 of the program. I was now a senior client and was welcoming new clients with the same love and compassion that had been shown to me just two months prior. Life was beginning to change drastically, and I was optimistic about the future for the first time in my adult life.
Within the program, I began working again — one of the conditions of staying and completing treatment at Simon House. I was thrilled and ready to have a little bit of freedom and responsibility again (other than my daily chores!).
At the 3-month mark, I made the decision to leave Simon House and return to my hometown to be closer to my daughter. It was a bitter-sweet goodbye, but one that I felt was necessary for the next part of life to begin.
Today, I’m no longer just wishing that it would all just end. The same lessons I learned early on in my time at Simon House are the same tools I use today to remain sober, happy, and healthy. I have a fulfilling and purposeful life!
Through constant self-examination, thinking of others, service work, and a relationship with a power greater than myself, I can be the person I’ve felt I’m meant to be.
At the time of writing, I’m two years sober and have been gainfully employed at the same job for over a year. I’m a proud and present father of a 5-year-old daughter. I’m a brother, an uncle, a son, a friend. And it all started with a single phone call.
—Matthew
Simon House Alumni