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Step Springs

Step Springs

2 days ago

“I just felt like a shadow of myself.”

We recently sat down with Step resident, Frank, to hear his story:

“Growing up, my mom kept a really tight leash on me, so when I got some freedom, I used to just go for it. I experimented with drinking when I got into high school, but when I left and went to college it really took off because I didn’t have any restrictions – anybody to tell me no.

“It started as drinking every weekend - and then it grew more. I was just drinking all the time and ended up getting kicked out of school.

“Then I came back to Colorado because I lost what I had, and now I'm depressed - and where do I put it? Back into the bottle. I got mixed up with the wrong crowd and started getting arrested all the time - fighting in bars and stuff like that - because, alcohol, it takes you outside of yourself. When I’m drinking, I feel like I can fight anybody and I'm nonchalant, arrogant, cocky... I’m not really like that.

“I got arrested for possession and I got my second DUI. All said and done, the judge sentenced me to two years in the county jail, which was the worst time ever. I told myself I’d never let my freedom get taken away because of alcohol.”

“Fast forward a year later, my mom pulls out a brochure for Step Springs. I was like ‘I don’t know if I should do this’. But sure enough, I came in, and it was probably the best decision that I’ve made.

“This program is a blessing. There’s not a lot of programs like this for men – a program that gets you to set yourself up to do better so that you can attack the world in a good way.

“Every Friday I get a couple of the guys to come and help me chop up onions and peppers while I'm over the stove seasoning and this and that, going back and forth - it's real nice. You know, it makes me feel good when everybody's at the table, there's no talking, everybody's just eating. I'm like, ‘it's good, ain't it?’”

Frank on how his relationship with his family has improved:

“When my mom found out [about my drinking] – seeing my mom cry – man… it hurt me to see her hurt. Now that I’m in this program, it’s nice to sit with my mom and she doesn’t have to ask me the question, ‘We haven’t been drinking today, right?’ I think that me completing this program and maintaining sobriety is a way that I can thank them for not giving up on me.”

Frank’s advice for the man thinking about coming to Step:

“The Step program helped me overcome a lot of things that I know that I couldn’t do by myself. It’ll work if you work it.

“My mom always said ‘You gotta stand for something or you fall for anything.’ That's one of the mottos that I've tried to live by. I've already stood strong for alcohol for a long time, let's try to stand strong for myself - as the man that I know that I can become - and better.” ... See MoreSee Less