In Episode 78 of Far From Finished, Matt talks about how he used to think materialistic things were a measure of success. What Matt ended up learning through the principles of recovery is that the effect he has on other people’s lives is the most valuable thing.

In Episode 78 of Far From Finished, Matt talks about how he used to think materialistic things were a measure of success. What Matt ended up learning through the principles of recovery is that the effect he has on other people’s lives is the most valuable thing.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) presents “Far From Finished,” a weekly podcast that shares the real-life stories of people who survived substance use to thrive in recovery.

Matt remembers the first time he took a pill. It felt like pure bliss and happiness. He didn’t care what his friends thought of him as long as he had his pills. At 16 he was convicted of home invasion — specifically breaking into people’s houses and stealing their prescription pills. The progression of his disease had gone from two pain pills by mouth to shooting up. Once he entered treatment, Matt really wanted to die. He didn’t want to be around anymore. People didn’t want to be around him.

Matt’s been in treatment three times and he’s learned a lot about himself while in recovery. He acknowledges that one of the biggest motivating things as to why he used drugs was because he was afraid of success, failure or rejection. Everything was fear-based. That’s why he used. When he used, he didn’t have to deal with reality.  Now one of the biggest tools he’s acquired in recovery is to stop doing everything his way, as his best thinking got him into felonies.

Now Matt has embraced recovery and how it’s provided him a spiritual and human connection with other people. If something happens in his life he can just talk about it. Today, he wants to be an example of sobriety. He understands that once you get sober, you carry this responsibility.

This 30 Day Course Will Bring your Recovery to a New Heights