Alumni
December 1st, 2004 I entered Pathway to Recovery. I had $80.00, a couple bags of clothes, and my guitar. I had been staying on and off the streets and at the Wheeler Mission. I was in a hopeless state and was totally oblivious to what was ailing me. The staff at Pathway was extremely empathetic and understood exactly what I needed. I needed help learning how to live.
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Nobody in their right mind wants to stop drinking at the age of 22. I was no exception. Despite my friend’s and family’s foreboding, I believed my drinking was NOT a problem. I started drinking at the age of 17. For the next 5 years I would experience a very fast decline. I was arrested, incarcerated, hospitalized, institutionalized, and ultimately homeless. I was never able to hold a job, or pay bills. In fact, the idea of paying bills seemed crazy to me. It was clear that the world I existed in owed me. My behavior was deplorable, and I destroyed every relationship that existed in my life. My drinking and using was out of control. I remember waking up one day from a black out thinking, “I really can’t stop.” These small miracles led to my surrender.
I began to follow the simple house rules. I was out of my room by 8 AM. (most of the time), made my bed, and went to work. When paid, I returned the money to the staff. The staff taught me how to pay my bills. I attended all meetings and counseling sessions required to live in the house. Both of my issues were addressed. I was an unsuccessful drinker and I had no idea how to live. Pathway helped me learn how to live without drinking and be a contributing member of society.
After living in the main house for six months I moved out into Pathway III. I had two amazing room mates who further helped me adjust to my new life. While in the main house I had been writing new songs on an old, green, broken, stand-up piano in the back room. Those songs later became my debut album titled, “Lost my faith”.
Today my life is a miracle. I have a job, I play music, and I’m highly involved in my 5-year-old son Aidan’s life. I am grateful for the life Pathway to Recovery helped me regain. I do believe that others can have my experience if they follow a few simple rules and allow people that have had their same experiences guide them. Pathway to Recovery was the last house on the block for me, but quickly became the bedrock of my life.
God Bless,
Steven C. Cooley
I began to follow the simple house rules. I was out of my room by 8 AM. (most of the time), made my bed, and went to work. When paid, I returned the money to the staff. The staff taught me how to pay my bills. I attended all meetings and counseling sessions required to live in the house. Both of my issues were addressed. I was an unsuccessful drinker and I had no idea how to live. Pathway helped me learn how to live without drinking and be a contributing member of society.
After living in the main house for six months I moved out into Pathway III. I had two amazing room mates who further helped me adjust to my new life. While in the main house I had been writing new songs on an old, green, broken, stand-up piano in the back room. Those songs later became my debut album titled, “Lost my faith”.
Today my life is a miracle. I have a job, I play music, and I’m highly involved in my 5-year-old son Aidan’s life. I am grateful for the life Pathway to Recovery helped me regain. I do believe that others can have my experience if they follow a few simple rules and allow people that have had their same experiences guide them. Pathway to Recovery was the last house on the block for me, but quickly became the bedrock of my life.
God Bless,
Steven C. Cooley