My name is Tom Boldt and I am a recovering drug addict and alcoholic.
My sobriety date is November 6th 2012. That date changed my life forever.
I was born in St. Louis, Missouri on Aug 21st 1991 to two amazing parents. Growing up I was given pretty much everything I needed and more. I always grew up thinking a addict was a bum on the street with a needle in his/her arm. Or a alcoholic was the guy drinking out of a brown paper bag. That is simply not the case. I learned very quickly that addicts come in many different forms.
When I was in grade school, I would get so anxious before my first day of school that I would panic and pace around the house. My mother had the idea to give me a Xanax and I completely forgot about school and fell right asleep. From that moment on I thought relief came in the form of a pill. In high school I started using benzos and opiates almost every weekend. I thought I was on top of the world. I had a lot of friends and seemed happy! Soon after I was using them on a daily basis. They stopped working, I spiraled out of control getting arrested and causing harm to everyone around me. All I could see was darkness. I thought if I just try different combinations of pills it would help, only to realize that I was blacking out.
In 2011, I was in a motorcycle accident where I hit a tree under the influence of narcotics. I was hospitalized for a short time and the hospital wanted to hold me because I told them everything I was abusing at the time. Shortly after I attended my Grandfather’s Wake and was in a blackout. At this point of my life I saw no way out. I had suicidal thoughts and was completely lost. I was pushing everyone around me away. My own brother called me a piece of crap to my face.
On Halloween of 2012 I had one of the worst nights of my life. I went through a breakup, I had got myself into multiple fights and was running down the freeway sure of getting hit by a car. I woke up the next morning looked my mom in the eye and said “I am ready, I need help.” That was the best decision I have ever made.
I went to a 30 day primary treatment center followed by another 90 in patient treatment. I found the help I needed.
Today I stay active in recovery every day. I have my family back, and I have helped my closest friends get sober. I currently am trying to help as many people as I can and contribute as much as I can back to the community and show that recovery is possible. I have a life today that I never thought was possible. I just want to say to anyone who is reading this struggling that recovery is possible no matter what. I am so grateful.