Mike S
keepcomingbackpodcast@gmail.com (Mike S)
Ben R. Age 25 Sober since: 5/17/15
Ben R. Age 25 Sober since: 5/17/15
Ben R. Age 25 Sober since: 5/17/15
Wednesday 8th January 2020
Ben R. shares his journey of getting sober before 21, facing addiction in college, and navigating relationships in recovery.
Explicit
67 minutes
Inspiring
Hopeful
Transformative
Engaging
Authentic
About this podcast
Author:
Mike S
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Navigating Challenges in Recovery
Family Recovery from Addiction
Creative Recovery Journeys
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Links:
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Episodes:
62 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Ben R.: Finding Sobriety Before 21
I'm learning a ton and I get to live in New York, so I'm very blessed.
Ben R. got sober at just 20 years old, a time when most young adults are immersed in the freedoms and social scenes of college life. Instead, Ben was grappling with addiction. In this episode of 'Keep Coming Back: Real Stories of Sobriety & Recovery', Ben opens up about his early journey to sobriety and the hurdles he faced along the way.
Growing up, Ben often felt like he had to change himself to fit in, a 'chameleon' among different groups of friends. This behavior followed him into college, where he found himself in circles deeply involved with opiates. Although he didn’t drink, Ben was still caught up in the drug culture, picking up substances for parties and social gatherings. His wake-up call came after a car accident, prompting him to seek help.
Ben started attending meetings and working with a sponsor who taught him the importance of distancing himself from his old crowd. One significant challenge was navigating relationships while sober. He was in a codependent and unhealthy relationship at college, and sobriety meant he had to detach from it. The idea of dating without the crutch of drugs or alcohol was daunting, but his sponsor guided him to focus on his recovery first.
Support networks played a crucial role in Ben's journey. His sponsor and friends who respected his sobriety helped him discover how to enjoy life without substances. His family also became an essential part of his support system, and he learned to be present for them in ways he couldn’t before. A key lesson for Ben was letting go of control and embracing humility. He used to feel 'sentenced' to his days, relying on drugs and alcohol to escape.
Now, he’s learning to live in the moment, even when things don’t go as planned. Ben’s story is one of hope and transformation, showing that getting sober at a young age, while challenging, is possible. His journey offers inspiration for anyone struggling with addiction, demonstrating that life without drugs or alcohol can be fulfilling.