By: Jonathan A., Transformations Alumnus
For more than ten years I spent time serving in the United States Marine Corps Infantry, as a Police Officer in Central Florida, and in Executive Protection. During this time, I failed to listen to my body. I thought daily anxiety and panic attacks were just part of the job. They weren’t. It was my body telling me it was hurting inside. And to deal with that hurt, I drank myself to sleep over those ten-plus years.
After my second failed suicide attempt, where the gun did not go off, I was left with a decision to make. My family, including the mother of my children, told me that they wanted me to go get help. And that if I didn’t go, they could not and would not continue to help me. I reluctantly agreed and decided to go.
My first two weeks at Transformations were spent being angry at both the world and my family. But after the effects of alcohol wore off and all control in my life was taken away from me, I knew I had to change. I begged God to come back into my life and help me change my ways. I would rely on this to get me through my time in treatment. Upon leaving treatment, I knew I had to get rid of everything toxic in my life. This included friends, family, and activities I once indulged in. I became a personal trainer after leaving Transformations and also became involved in a nonprofit named, “22Zero”. 22Zero helped me cure my PTSD while utilizing the trauma techniques they teach other Veterans. I would take these techniques and experience to eventually become a resiliency trauma and suicide prevention coach.
I can faithfully say that over these past two years of my journey in sobriety that I have never been more blessed by God. The relationships with my family are now stronger than ever and I never could have imaged the daily happiness I now have.
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