Hello, my name is David Lopez. I’m an addict and alcoholic in recovery. My sobriety date is May 22, 2018.
I was first introduced to alcohol at the age of five years old. I didn’t understand what alcohol was, but I immediately had a feeling that I belonged to something bigger. Two years, later my mom remarried someone I didn’t know much about. And she asked me to call him dad. In defiance, I decided to drink the night of the reception. I went around and finished all the glasses I could find, and this would be my first drunk. At 9, I found my stepdad’s weed. By 15, I was a daily drinker and user off many types of drugs.
Despite my addiction, I was still able to function. In 1999, at age 23, I got a job with the Department of Sanitation. In 2002, I made Maintenance and Construction Helper with the Department of Water and Power. In 2005, I promoted to Water Utility Worker, and in 2009, I promoted to Senior Water Utility Worker.
In 2006 my daughter was born, and my wife at that time, came home with a bottle of Vicodin. I had never touched opiates before. A bottle of Vicodin turned into OxyContin and heroin in a flash. The next 10 years would be the worst nightmare of my life. I was stuck in a prison not realizing I had the key the entire time. In 2016, I kicked one last time, and I was so happy to get my life together. But the next morning, I woke up with a drinking problem that I didn’t even know I had.
May 2016, I tested positive for alcohol at work. I was introduced to treatment and AA through our EAP program. Over the next couple of years, I would relapse, test positive at work, and go to several rehabs. Late 2017, I went off work due to a hip injury. On May 21, 2018, I crashed and got my second DUI in a car with paper plates, that still to this day, I have no recollection of ever buying. With this DUI, I would lose my commercial driver’s license for life. I entered rehab for the last time. I was convinced that what I was doing wasn’t working, but I didn’t know how to proceed. I was scared confused and out of my mind. But I had to try something new.
Alcoholics Anonymous has given me a life worth living. I was given a 2nd chance, and I so desperately want to give back. I have a sponsor whom I meet with weekly. I have a home group in which I’m the treasurer. I lead a panel every Thursday night at the Tarzana treatment center. I’m an active member of the Ventura County AA convention committee.
Above all, I have some dignity today along with purpose. I have tools that can be used in all situations. Best of all, I have a community of like-minded people I call friends that I can call on at any time.
In 2022, I came back to the Department of Water and Power as a Maintenance and Construction Worker.
Today I know what gratitude and happiness feels like. And I know that anyone can achieve the same. If you are struggling, reach out and begin your journey one day at a time.
Thank you.
