5 Inspiring Alumni Quotes for Alcohol Awareness Month
Last Updated on September 27, 2021
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a national observance founded and sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD). This year, we’d like to share some encouraging quotes from our very own alumni, many of whom struggled with alcohol addiction and successfully overcame it. But first, here’s a little more information on Alcohol Awareness Month and this year’s theme.
About Alcohol Awareness Month
The theme for 2018 is Changing Attitudes: It’s not a ‘rite of passage.’ This theme is meant to contradict the popular belief and the attitude that drinking among teens and young adults is just a “rite of passage” and something that is to be expected.
The attitude that a young person will just outgrow their drinking habits is a dangerous one. In reality, many people who start drinking alcohol at a young age go on to develop substance abuse problems. Although not all young people who use drugs and alcohol will develop an addiction, this type of behavior at such a young age is a strong predictor of addiction later in life.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), most adults with substance abuse problems started using drugs or alcohol before the age of 18. In terms of alcohol, 15.2 percent of people who start drinking by the age of 14 develop alcohol abuse problems. That’s compared to 2.1 percent of people who wait until they are 21 or older to drink alcohol.2
Although each of our clients at Nova has their own unique story, many of our own alumni started drinking alcohol and doing drugs at an early age and can attest to the effects that behavior had on their own lives. In an effort to share their recovery stories and encourage others who are suffering from addiction, here are five inspiring quotes on addiction and recovery from a few of our alumni.
5 Inspiring Nova Alumni Quotes on Addiction and Recovery
“Every time I got out of prison, I had to change the way I felt about myself. I’d say, ‘I’ll just smoke weed’ or ‘I’ll just drink alcohol’ hoping my addiction would fade, but that was never the case … There is absolutely a way out of addiction. I was dying. But if recovery was possible for me, it’s absolutely possible for anyone.” — Amit Mishra
“Recovery is what allows you to go do the cool stuff in life you never got to do. Like travel, backpack, go to school and find a career that you really love and then continue to grow it. It doesn’t just end with being sober. Sobriety is the start of how cool life can be. Go and make it what you want it to be because you can do anything you want.”— Al Lesem
“Keep working the steps. Do it like you’re a drowning man, gasping for air. Keep trying and never give up. If I gave up after nine treatment centers, I’d be dead. I wouldn’t be where I am today. Find what makes you happy and find your purpose.” — Megan Minasi
“Even when I was getting high, all I could think about was how much better life was when I was sober. I actually got to laugh. That’s one of my favorite things to do. … If I hadn’t gotten help, I don’t think I’d be alive right now. But if I was, I would be miserable. Even if you don’t think treatment will work, give it your all and try it out because you have nothing to lose. The worst thing that could happen is that you get sober.” — Parker Jarmon
“If you’re still alive, there’s still hope. I thought I was too far gone and a lost cause. I was going to die a drunk and I didn’t think I could ever stop. My advice for other parents would be that it’s never too late. There’s always a way out and there are a ton of people who will be there for you.” — Shane Rollins
Begin Your Recovery Today with Nova’s Long-Term Rehab for Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction can have negative many short and long-term effects that affect a person’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. If left unaddressed, alcohol addiction can also lead to serious medical problems or even death. Fortunately, it’s never too late to get help if you need it.
Nova’s long-term rehab program has helped many people (including each of the alumni listed above) overcome their drug and alcohol addictions. We use an individualized multidisciplinary approach to provide the most comprehensive and effective treatment for each client. And by providing at least 90 full days of drug rehab, our clients get the time they need to address underlying issues that contribute to their addiction, thoroughly work through all 12 steps of the 12-step program, and practice life skills that will help them maintain their sobriety for good.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, Nova’s 90-day residential drug rehab program may just be what you need to achieve lasting recovery. Call (512) 605-2955 to speak with an admissions specialist at Nova Recovery Center today.
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