10
Jun

Real Recovery Alumni Spotlight: Alex H.

Real Recovery Alumni Spotlight

Alex H.

For this week’s Real Recovery Alumni Spotlight we sat down with Alex H, a New Life House alumni who got 5 years sober today! He spent some time talking to use about his journey to get sober and what life is like today.

New Life: Congratulations on your 5 years Alex! Was this your first time getting sober?

Alex: No, when I entered New Life I had attempted to get sober 4 times at three different rehabilitation centers.

NL: What brought you to New Life after all that?

Alex: Two of my best friends growing up had gone through New Life and had attempted to reach out to me during my using.  I was unwilling to commit to such a long and difficult process to get sober. I was arrested for the last time in 2011 – I was in jail for approximately a month and when I was released I had a moment where I looked at my options and realized how few I had.  At that moment, my parents had heard I was released and, although we weren’t speaking, called and asked if I would commit to 30 days at New Life House.  Having no other options I agreed to go.

NL: What were your biggest struggles in the house?

Alex: Choosing specific struggles through the house is difficult.  I struggled with EVERYTHING.  I fought against everything that was asked or required of me.  I believed I had all the answers and didn’t want to listen to anyone else.  It took me a LONG time to change.  When I had a year sober in the house I had to take a look at my life.  I was a year sober and miserable. What was I doing wrong?  Finally I was in a state where I was miserable sober and miserable getting loaded and I asked for help.  I asked Brett LaShure, who was the manager at the time what I should do to be happy.  He put me on a journey that saved my life.  I became willing to take suggestion and give it my all.  Today, I am grateful for the time I struggled in the house.  It allows me to live a full, happy life and help others out who have struggled with the same issues.

NL: How did New Life House and your recovery set you up for success?

Alex: New Life House did not just set me up for success, without New Life House I would have no success. I have a high stress, very busy job.  I manage 6 restaurants in Los Angeles, 2 in Las Vegas, 1 in Chicago, 3 in Dubai and 1 in Japan.  I also do the corporate openings and am the executive souse chef.  NONE of these things would be possible without the tools I learned in the house. I still do the things that I was taught in the house every day.  The list of things that I do on a daily basis that I was taught in the house would run on for days.  Not only did they help keep me sober but the life skills that I was taught have laid the foundation for a very successful and infinitely happy life.

NL: Was there anything particularly important about the structure of New Life house that helped you build a solid foundation? Things you wouldn’t have done on your own?

Alex: Again, choosing anything in particular would be very difficult.  It is the structure upon which I have built my life.  I suit up and I show up for life.  I am attentive to details and I am never late.  I care about everything I do and it shows to my superiors and everyone around me.

NL: Are you still in contact with the guys you group of guys you got sober with all these years later?

Alex: Of course I am still in contact with the guys I went through the house with! I live with two of them and my core group of friends has always been people I went through the house with. I am lucky to have a strong group of friends all around my time. We do everything together – we go sky diving, paintballing, movies, dinners. I am truly grateful for my group of friends. My best friend and roommate has just about the same amount of time as I do and we do everything together.

NL: Where did you work in the house / what did you do there?

Alex: When I was ready to begin working again I had to make a decision.  I had worked in restaurants my whole life, there is a lot of drug abuse and alcoholism in the restaurant industry and I didn’t know if that was what I wanted to do.  However, after some time, I decided that I can make more money in the industry and it would be easy for me to focus on my sobriety. I worked in three separate restaurants as lead line cooks until I started working for the company I work for now.  Since then I have moved up from a lead line to the job I have today.  I get to travel all over the country and world doing what I love.  I am infinitely grateful for my jobs and I believe I was presented with the opportunities to advance when I was really ready for them.

NL: Can you tell us more about what you do now?

Alex: Today I work for a restaurant group in Los Angeles.  We started with one store near UCLA and now we have 13 stores nationally and internationally.  I am the corporate opener and oversee them all for operations.  I am also the executive souse chef for the company.  I get to travel all over the world and country opening restaurants and I love my job.  It is high stress and I always have a lot going on, but New Life House taught me how to overcome any problem that arises.

NL: Thats awesome! Was graduating and moving out to the point where you are now a big transition?

Alex: Graduating and moving out of the house was a big hurdle for me.  I was so secure at the house and then to not have my support group surrounding me all the time was a big shock at first.  I tend to be an introvert which is dangerous when you are newly sober and all alone.  When I was in the house I was forced to go out and be social but when you move out it is up to you.  I was lucky to have a good group of friends who are always doing something fun.  Today I get to live with some of my best friends and we always have people over and are having a good time.  Truly blessed with the sober friends I have today.

NL: Outside of work what hobbies or passions do you partake in?

Alex: Unfortunately I have very little time outside of work but fortunately, I love my job.  When I do have free time, I am passionate about travel. I saw 15 countries last year and looking to get 10 more this year.  I ride a motorcycle and nothing clears my head like a ride through the mountains.  I began a path towards fitness last year and I really fell in love with – it whether it is time in the gym or long hikes, I love it.

NL: If you had to choose one thing you are most grateful for, what would it be?

Alex: I think the thing I am most grateful for is my happiness.  Even when I was a kid and not in active addiction I was always miserable.  I have been diagnosed with multiple psychiatric issues over the years, spent countless hours in doctor’s offices and psych wards.  Sobriety aside, which I know nothing would be possible without it, the thing that I got from New Life is a happiness and freedom.  I live a very full life, I am free to pursue anything I want to do and I DO.  This has been the biggest gift.

NL: You’re busy! Do you still stay involved with the house?

Alex: With how much I travel I am not always able to have a lot of sponsees which is hard for me because helping others has always been a big part of my sobriety.  I am grateful that the managers at New Life call me whenever they have someone they think I can help.  Having gotten through different issues that a lot of others haven’t experienced (ie, suicidal thoughts/actions, self-harm, depression ect),  it gives me a unique ability to help people with the same issues.

NL: What are your goals for this year?

Alex: This year I am backpacking through South America for a month.  I am opening 3 more restaurants for the company I work for now, one in Los Angeles, one in Australia and another in Japan. I want to be able to begin opening my own restaurant!  It has been a dream of mine long enough and it is time to make the leap.

NL: Do you have any advice for the guys in the house, their parents, and people in AA?

Alex: To the house members: STAY!  Have faith in the process and stop fighting.  In 5 years I have never seen the house steer anyone in the wrong direction.  If things are tough, have faith that it will get better.  The first year is a struggle, get through it and I PROMISE you will have a life beyond your wildest dreams.

To the parents: don’t listen to your son!!  Trust in the process, it is not easy getting better.  The best thing my parents did for me was to stop helping me.

People in AA:  Stay! It gets better, go to as many meetings as you can, surround yourself with a good group of sober friends.

NL: Is there anything you’d like to add to the guys in the house?

Alex: If you give yourself to New Life House even half as much as you dedicated your life to getting high, I can PROMISE you, you will have a life beyond your wildest dreams.  You will learn who you are and live a happy fulfilled life.  Just stay, trust the process, and get through the hard times.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel, even when you can’t see it and when you reach the light it is the greatest feeling in the whole world.

NL: Is there anything you’d like to say to the parents and families?

Alex: Stay strong, my family had given up on me in my active addiction, today I get to show up for them in ways neither of us could have imagined.

Thanks Alex, and happy birthday!

Last Updated on February 23, 2024

Form

Contact Us

    Call Us Now: (888) 357-7577

    Call Us Now: (888) 357-7577