Nick sat down with us on a leather couch at Cardinal’s house in Ironton, Ohio, and told his story the way it happened. When we filmed, he was almost nine months sober and a few days away from going for his CDCA, the chemical dependency counselor assistant credential.
This is his story, in his own words wherever we could use them.
Drinking to Quiet the Noise
Nick’s childhood was rough. He started drinking as a teenager, and for a long time the alcohol seemed to help.
“I had a lot of trauma from my childhood, and I had some mental health issues, and it felt like the alcohol kind of quieted that down, that noise in my head,” he said.
For years, nobody around him would’ve guessed anything was wrong. “For the longest time I was a functioning alcoholic. I had a normal life, had a normal job.” He’s a father, and he kept the household running.
Then the drinking took over. “I started losing credibility at my job. I lost trust with my family. I ended up losing my job. I lost my home, I lost my vehicle.”
Losing Everything After Losing His Parents
In 2023, Nick lost his father and then his mother. He’d been caring for both of them at home, and their deaths in the same year broke something loose.
He stopped looking for work and spent his days drinking with his grief. When the bills piled up, he sold what he owned, including his vehicles, to keep the lights on a little longer. Eventually there was nothing left to sell.
“My son, and my family that I have left, was begging me to change,” Nick said. He remembers the electric getting cut off. He remembers not having a Christmas for his son. “It was horrible, and I have a lot of regrets for the things I did when I drank.”
And then: “I had nowhere to turn to and I had nowhere to go. I had to seek help.”
Finding People Who Care
Nick had tried another treatment program before, and it wasn’t the right fit for him. Cardinal felt different.
“I come to Cardinal and the staff are very friendly. They care about me. It’s some of the most wonderful people I’ve met. They really go the extra mile to make sure you feel like you matter.”
That care showed up in practical ways. “They’ve helped me get my mental health in order. They’ve helped me learn how to cope without alcohol and to find different outlets for my thoughts.”
Treating the Problem, Not Just the Drinking
The biggest change for Nick was understanding why he drank. Alcohol had been his way of handling mental health problems nobody had named. At Cardinal, he started getting real care for them.
“It feels good to have my mental health in order now. I’m on medication now. I seek out professional help and I get to talk about my problems. I don’t feel overwhelmed.”
He’s clear about what he learned. “If you don’t take care of your mental health, then you’re gonna turn to substances.” Once he was showing up to appointments and working with doctors, he said, “it makes you feel more confident in yourself and you can start making some really positive changes in your life.”
Nick also pointed out that recovery at Cardinal isn’t only about the hours in group. “Cardinal does so much more than just treat the person. They look at what does the person need.” For Nick, that meant help with the things that keep people stable after treatment, like housing and work.
You can read more about how Cardinal approaches alcohol addiction treatment and how the Ironton location supports people in recovery.
Nick’s Message If You’re Where He Was
We asked Nick what he’d say to someone in the spot he was in a year earlier. He didn’t sugarcoat it.
“The struggle is hard, but you have to find faith in your higher power. You have to try. You have to get your mental health in order and reach out to people. If you don’t reach out, you won’t get the help. But if you do reach out, eventually you can find people that are willing to help you, and to help you get your life back in order.”
Reaching out doesn’t have to mean doing it alone, either. Groups and people who’ve been there matter a lot in early recovery, which is why peer support in addiction recovery is part of how Cardinal works.
Almost Nine Months Sober
When we asked how long he’d been sober, Nick had to stop and count. “It’s been almost nine months.”
He was about to go for his CDCA. “I’ll be going for my CDCA, which I’m very proud of.”
The man who couldn’t keep the electric on is now training to help other people get where he is.
Watch Nick’s Full Interview
Take the First Step
If alcohol is taking more from you than it gives, you don’t have to figure out the next step alone. Cardinal’s admissions team can talk you through your options and what insurance covers. You can also contact Cardinal Treatment Center or call (740) 265-2958.
If you’re in crisis right now, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline any time.