Finding my purpose through mental illness and adversity by Michael

Finding my purpose through mental illness and adversity by Michael - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

For decades, I struggled with my addiction, I felt trapped in a cycle that clouded my judgment and distorted my sense of self. My disease often came disguised as a temporary escape, it represented itself as a friend, making its consequences difficult to recognize. While I thought I was managing, the damage was already being done to my relationships, health, and happiness. It wasn’t until I found treatment that the fog lifted, and I realized the profound gift that recovery brings to us. Now I want to give that gift to others.

I have over two years of sobriety. I’m amazed by the transformation I’ve experienced. Recovery has restored my health and reshaped my view of the world and my place in it. The clarity and strength I now feel were unimaginable in addiction. Every sober day is a blessing. Where I was experiencing darkness, I’m now bathed in light. The fog that obscured my vision has finally lifted. The warmth and support of a steady hand that I received from everyone, from the techs to the case managers to my therapist and even my program director during my stay in residential treatment, inspired me to give back in a meaningful way. I now dedicate myself to helping others who struggle as I once did. Although I earn substantially less money than I did in my previous long-term career, my work in drug and alcohol treatment has become my life's purpose. This is something I never could have imagined while trapped in addiction. Watching a client take that first step toward recovery is powerful and reminds me of how precious life is on a daily basis. The work is challenging, but the rewards are literally immeasurable to me.

This career shift and the education I have fallen in love with has also brought me closer to my fiancée, who coming up on 28 years sober. Her strength and dedication are constant sources of inspiration. Together, we are building a life full of love, purpose, and shared goals. After I earn my CDAC credentials and gain experience, we hope to open a treatment center together.

I’d say the greatest gifts of recovery has been reconnecting with my now 17-year-old little girl. We have been each other’s shadow since she was born. However for years, I was so consumed with my addiction, I don’t know if I was ever truly present for her. Now, our bond is stronger than ever. I can finally be the father she deserves, offering her emotional presence and unconditional love. Our relationship has blossomed, and I’m deeply grateful for this new chapter.

Beyond my personal relationships, recovery has ignited my spiritual fire. I have a clear connection to my higher purpose. This allows me to experience my life with a deeper meaning. I’m now pursuing a degree in Human Services with an emphasis on Addiction Studies. It’s a journey I’m so happy to be on and the courses are fascinating to me! I approach them with a curiosity that I never had before. I used to struggle to make it through a single day. It felt impossible to set long-term goals. Now I’m excited about my future and the challenges that each and every day holds. I know now that recovery is not just about abstaining from substances, it’s about rebuilding my life in every way. It’s about getting to do something rather than having to do something. It’s about repairing my relationships, discovering my passions, and most importantly, learning to value and love myself again in the truest sense.

This journey has honestly been nothing short of miraculous. As I continue on this path, I am committed to helping others by sharing my experience find the same hope and healing I have found.