Hi. My name is Mike Tracy, and I\u2019ve been employed by the Department since 2015 as an Maintenance and Construction Helper with General Construction at Haynes Generating Station. My sobriety date is December 13, 2002.\u00a0 In other words, I wouldn\u2019t have this job if I wasn\u2019t sober. I started experimenting with alcohol and drugs around age 12. I\u2019m a musician, and I have been in a band in some form since I was 17. I led the \u201cparty all night but show up for work\u201d lifestyle for years. Eventually, it caught up to me. The drugs became harder, and the drinking became more frequent. I started having consequences with work, relationships, and the law.\u00a0 My priority was getting loaded. I didn\u2019t like what I\u2019d become, but I had an issue with asking for help. The fear, guilt, and shame, coupled with being stubborn, did not help. I\u2019ve experienced all levels of treatment, 5 detoxes, 2 residential programs, intensive outpatient, and the county jail.<\/p>\n
When I finally surrendered completely and reached out to others like me, my life improved exponentially.\u00a0 I have been sober ever since. If you\u2019re struggling with addiction and have ended up here, any one of us Peers has felt the same way. We want to help.\u00a0 You can contact any one of us confidentially, at any time, with the Department\u2019s blessing. There is a way out. I promise. And that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for. Please know you\u2019re not alone, and it will get better if you just try.<\/p>\n
Thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"