In college, I played basketball at St. Catherine's University. I suffered an injury to my ACL that required surgery. I was prescribed pain pills for the rehabilitation. During this time I began abusing the prescription and also bought from the street. I couldn't get enough and wasn't taking the medication for pain but was taking for the euphoria.
This went on for years as I tried my best to hide it from my family and loved ones. The addiction progressed to the strongest opiates I could find, and my life had become completely unmanageable. The getting and using consumed my daily life.
My family began to ask me to seek help. After refusing for years, I had finally reached a bottom that I decided to seek help. I went to a great treatment center, English Mountain Recovery in Tennessee. There I learned about the disease of addiction and the solutions to my dilemma. They also suggested I continue my recovery at a structured living environment -- Next Step Recovery.
I stayed at NSR for 9 months, working on my recovery and also finishing my education at a local college in Asheville. I obtained a degree in Applied Science in Human Services, and also obtained a Certificate in Substance Abuse Studies.
Fortunately, when I graduated from school, a position became available at NSR. I took the job as staff case manager. I really enjoy giving back to people who still suffer from addiction and providing them some hope that "We do Recover".
Elliot's Advice to recovering addicts and their families:
It's okay to not be ok.
If you truly desire to change yourself then the healing process can begin at NSR.
A fun fact about Elliot:
I make music and pottery. Once I was an extra on the History channel's "Pawn Stars".
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