Recovery After Alcohol Addiction and Relapse

Building a New Foundation for Recovery

As a carpenter on set for the Los Angeles Ballet, Richard knew what it meant to build something strong behind the scenes.

Board by board, he helped create the foundation for beautiful performances. But in his personal life, things were falling apart. His marriage was breaking down, his pain felt overwhelming, and he did not know how to repair what was happening inside him.

To cope, Richard began drinking heavily every day.

What started as an attempt to numb pain became eight years of alcohol addiction, suicide attempts, and homelessness.

Drinking to Escape the Pain

Richard’s drinking became a way to silence what he could not face.

He drank heavily “to kill the pain,” but alcohol only pulled him deeper into crisis. Over time, addiction affected his health, safety, relationships, housing, and sense of hope.

Richard eventually experienced a suicide attempt that led to a four-day hospital stay.

Looking back, he said:

“It was the best few days because I was taken out of the world and put in a safe place.”

During that hospital stay, a nurse recommended Cedar House.

Richard agreed to enter treatment, and that decision became the beginning of his recovery foundation.

Entering Treatment at Cedar House

When Richard first came to Cedar House, he said it took him two weeks to truly sober up.

After that, he began to settle into the rhythm of residential treatment. Over the next 90 days, he started learning how to deal with his fear, anger, pain, and alcohol use in a different way.

Treatment gave him tools he had not had before.

He said:

“I am definitely not the same Richard.”

At Cedar House, Richard began understanding himself and his addiction more clearly. He learned practical ways to respond to difficult emotions instead of drinking to escape them.

After completing treatment, he stayed sober for 13 months.

Returning After Relapse

Richard’s recovery journey was not a straight line.

A few years later, he relapsed and ended up in the hospital again. But when he returned to Cedar House, he was welcomed back with open arms.

That mattered.

Many people feel shame after relapse and fear they will be judged if they ask for help again. Richard’s experience showed him that support was still available.

He remembered a staff member encouraging him by saying:

“This time you’ll hear something you didn’t hear last time.”

That message helped Richard stay open to the idea that recovery can deepen over time.

Getting Back Up Again

When Richard stumbled, he knew he could call on Cedar House to help him get back up.

After another 90 days of treatment, he returned home and maintained his sobriety for 16 months.

During that time, he cared for his ailing mother and navigated a difficult relationship with his brother, who also had a drinking problem. Being back home was challenging.

Richard admitted:

“My relapses happened at home. Each relapse, my determination got stronger to not die an alcoholic’s death.”

That honesty became part of his growth.

Each return to treatment helped Richard better understand his triggers, his environment, and the seriousness of protecting his recovery.

Facing His Brother’s Death

During his last stay at Cedar House, Richard learned that his brother had died in his sleep.

The loss hit him hard.

He thought:

“He died my death.”

That moment became painful but powerful. It reminded Richard what was at stake and helped him hold onto the tools he had received in treatment.

Instead of turning back to alcohol, he leaned on what he had learned.

Learning a New Way to Live

At Cedar House, Richard learned how to feel differently about himself.

He said:

“I was rescued, and Cedar House was part of the rescue plan. They taught me a new way to feel about myself. Someone told me, ‘You’re gonna find out you’re a pretty nice guy.’”

For Richard, recovery was not only about quitting alcohol. It was about learning that he had value, that he could be helped, and that his life was still worth rebuilding.

That shift became part of his foundation.

Serving Behind the Scenes

Richard also found a way to give back during treatment.

Because of his background in carpentry and theater, he proudly served as a volunteer behind the scenes in the multi-purpose room. Each morning, he staged the flag. Each evening, he took it down.

It was a simple act of service, but it meant something to him.

He wanted to contribute to the recovery community that had helped him.

Richard spoke with deep appreciation for his case manager, Mike.

He said:

“My case manager Mike is such a wonderful man. Very supportive and awfully bright. Cedar House is the fertilizer for my recovery. It’s my roots and my foundation.”

For Richard, Cedar House became more than a treatment center. It became part of the foundation that helped him grow.

Building Life After Treatment

From that point forward, Richard continued living clean and sober.

He found work, housing, and a better way to live.

He said:

“I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. Now, if I get invited to a party, I bring a sober buddy.”

That kind of practical recovery planning helped Richard protect his sobriety in real life. He understood that recovery required choices, boundaries, support, and preparation.

Giving Back to Others

For the next seven years, Richard served his community by doing outreach to people experiencing homelessness and addiction.

He went to meetings, prayed often, and stayed committed to recovery because he knew he could not go backward.

He said:

“I had to do it. I couldn’t go backwards to a life of drugs, crime, and mayhem.”

Richard also understood that he could not save everyone, but he could still help.

He shared:

“I just help. I share that my story is one of determination, tenacity and the will to live. Everyone deserves to be a success story.”

Recovery Can Begin Again

Richard’s story shows that recovery is not always simple or perfect.

It can include treatment, relapse, returning for help, grief, rebuilding, and learning how to live differently one day at a time.

What matters is not that Richard’s path was easy. What matters is that he kept reaching for support, kept learning from each attempt, and kept choosing life.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, homelessness, relapse, or thoughts of giving up, Cedar House can help you understand your options and take the next step.

Call 840-900-1004 to speak with someone about treatment and recovery support.