Background information on Phillip Lee is here.
The Journey of an
Addict
(The Road to Real Recovery)
By Phillip Lee
April 2019
Hello, my name is
Phillip Lee. I’m an author and a columnist. More importantly I am also an
addict. I would like to take this opportunity to write a little story, in hopes
that it might reach the one or ones who need it the most today. I am a client
at Hickory Hills Recovery and Treatment Center in Eastern Kentucky. This is a
long-term treatment house for men who, like myself, suffer from the disease of
addiction.
Now, I know that
some who read this may stop right here and say; “OK, I don’t want to read
another word. Addiction is not a disease.” What I usually say to that is,
absolutely nothing. Each person on God’s green earth has the free will and
choice to decide if they believe addiction is a disease or not. I’m not here to
debate anyone. I’m quite simple, just a guy with a pen who would much rather
remain anonymous than anything; however, that is not possible if I wish to
publish my work -- so it may reach others in newspapers, . Iin hopes of helping
someone in need.
Today, I
experience many different emotions and feelings that normal folks, those who
don’t suffer from this disease, feel on a regular basis -- experiences we
addicts lose somewhere along the way. But, hey; if my path in life has led me
to this place, at this time, then I am both honored and very humbled to have
the great opportunity to see and experience such transformations and great
events within quality human life. Yes! I have seen failures and stumbles along
the way. But WOW!!! I have experienced greatness during my short time here.
For example: I’ve
watched a large group of both mentally and financially broken men rally
together and combine their efforts to financially help another client regain
his freedom from what could have led this young man down a long road of
undeserving trials and tribulations. Another example: A small group of folks in
the nearby community bought a client a new and very, very nice pair of shoes,
simply because they saw what the client did, even when he was unaware of anyone
else around to see it.
You see, this
client had noticed a very poor man in the nearby community walking around in
very worn out and distressed shoes. The client, without giving thought or
second instinct to his own comfort, walked over and gave the gentleman in
discomfort and need the very shoes off his feet. To many, this man would have
been marked up and chalked off as a man of bad character, based solely on what
the thought they knew or have seen from someone in active addiction.
To this I must
ask each of you; does this sound like a man of bad character? Does this sound
like a man who should be thrown to the wolves for the slaughter? Does this
sound like the kind of man you would rather not have in your communities? To
me, it simply sounds like he’s a man who, through this program, has discovered
his heart and true passion for his fellow.
I’ve seen many
great acts of both kindness and love, while here. I’ve seen and felt the spirit
of God while here. I feel it even now as I write this small story for you. You
see folks, most of us here are not bad people at heart. Most here would much
rather lift another up than to tear him down. We do suffer from a disease, and
it is called addiction – and, yes, we have lost our way. But here, we are
found. Here we are given every tool needed to recover and maintain and treat
our disease. Here, we are taught how to utilize these tools in the most
effective manner once we rejoin the communities in which we live. We are taught
how to use these tools to regain our sanity and to gain or regain our love for
life, in general. And here, we are taught how to reconnect with reality,
entirely.
So, if you know
someone who is living the life of a using addict here in Kentucky, there are
several Kentucky Recovery Centers all across the state like this one, where new
life is born, every day.
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