Kevin K arrived at the Cleveland House November 26, 2009
I was a 25 year chronic relapse. I had been through treatment 3 times in Hawaii (once at 22 years of age, once at 25, once at 26). Upon finishing my 3rd stay at a treatment center, Castle Hospital and Addictions Center, I began some success in AA. I found a sponsor, home group and started working the steps. Before I knew it, I had one year of sobriety. Unfortunately, I became enmeshed with a 90 day whiner wonder, and relapsed. I became hooked on Crystal Methamphetamine which took me to the verge of destruction. From 1991 – 1994 I maintained sobriety again. However, after another trip back to Hawaii I was under the lash of alcoholism again. Once more I found the program and lasted 5 years, only to, once again slip from the Grace of God. From 2003 – 2009 I was in and out of the program. Busted disgusted and not trusted. Going through job after job. Losing lucrative careers and friendships quickly. I was at the end.
Then GOD shined a light down while I was getting detoxed in George Washington University Hospital. It was Stevie B and the West Side Men's Group. I had previously spoken with Alan at the Cleveland House and he tried to get me to come down. I even made reservations but stopped at a bar on the way to the airport. I did not make it in time for my flight. With my Family's help, they drove me and made sure I got on the plane. Ultimately, I landed in Ft Lauderdale SOBER and was escorted to the Cleveland House by staff. For the first time I met Alan face to face. I remember him saying to me, you can change your life Kevin. I went to the Friday Night Meeting and asked BIG BOOK BILL to be my sponsor. He accepted and told me to READ THE BIG BOOK. I was incredibly hungry. It was the day after Thanksgiving. Alan gave me two turkey sandwiches and sent me off to my room. The next morning I woke and was grateful for ONE LAST SHOT. I had 4 job offers in 3 days. I began meeting people. I went to the West Side Men's Group. Big Book Bill was unable to continue my sponsorship so I threw myself out in the Men's Group and Joe T picked me up. I then met Stevie B and all of the Group. Spike, DJ, Eric, and the rest of the guys.
Alan gave me the opportunity to chair the 7 AM Early Risers Group. I started grabbing people from the West Side Men's Group to come and share. I got speakers from BOCA. They were up at 5:30AM get the donuts and SHOW UP. I became a changed man. I owe my life to South Florida and its recovery program. At one year of sobriety, I went back to the Cleveland House so Alan could give me my one year medallion. I was no longer Busted Disgusted and NOT TRUSTED. Today I assist running a multi million dollar business. I am trusted again. GOD did for me what I could not do for myself. There is not one day that goes by that I do not think about my family in Hollywood.
" 100 steps to the ocean, and 12 steps to a new way of life "
Heavy on the hash browns!!! 4 eggs over easy!! Life is good….
May GOD BLESS YOU Cleveland House!
Kevin K
Spotsylvania, VA
CLEVELAND HOUSE TESTIMONY
Mike H arrived at the Cleveland House March 29, 2010
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I for one appreciate the Cleveland House for what it did for me. I
needed a few months sobriety to get my mind focused in the right
direction.
At first I thought there was no way I would be there for 5 months. I
figured maybe two at best. I wondered what 5 months would do that 2
months would not. I was so wrong.
It took me over 3 months to start appreciating life sober. It took
me 3 months to get to a point where my thought process didn't
revolve around drinking. I literally woke up most every day there
early on thinking about my next drunk. I kept that $20 in my pocket
to be able to get a large bottle if I chose to do so.
I did NOT drink while I was there! I was so close so many times. I
even sat down in a bar one time and the barmaid asked "May I help
you?". I have no idea where my response came from but I said "no you
cannot help me...you can only hurt me" and I got up and left. I was
that close.
The night that Nancy spoke I happened to be riding past the 4th
dimension club at 5:34. I just left a liquor store and was so close
to buying a bottle. As fate would have it, Big Book Bill was there.
I shared at length in that meeting and told everyone that Bill was
probably the main reason I did not purchase a bottle of Vodka. I
told him he has no idea how his sincerity, his kindness, his
devotion, his serenity affected me.
As you know, I am not a Big Book Thumper... but Bill had a very
profound effect on me. He is what AA should be.
AA meetings are different in Houston. The ones I have gone to try
and make me feel stupid if I don't subscribe to everything the Big
Book says. This will never happen but being among a few people with
one common goal of sobriety is priceless.
I shared one morning on the company that said they would never
re-hire anyone for any reason. I am one person away from being
re-hired. I am one person away from making a unimaginable salary.
I have to look at myself in the mirror daily and admit that I am one
drink away from losing all of this.
It isn't easy!!!
Anyway... I want to thank you. If you ever get discouraged, you need
to realize one thing and one thing only: you have saved lives! What
a legacy that is. I don't know that I have ever saved a life. I do
know that I have damaged a few.
Let it be known that Bike Mike did ride over 100 miles on a bike in
one day you had to be out there when I left that morning and asked
about it) but more importantly let it be known that he is into his
6th month of sobriety.
He just might be another life you saved.
For that I thank you.
Bike Mike Posted September 15, 2010
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