Michael DeNicola

Throughout college, I had always been a heavy drinker. I was "that guy" at parties, getting blackout drunk and doing the most asinine things. I had gone from being the life of the party, to being the guy nobody wanted around because I drank too much, too fast, and never stopped. It got worse after college. I began my career, and I was getting very serious with my (then) girlfriend. But I couldn't quit the booze. It controlled me. I spent most weeknights drinking alone in my apartment, the way I preferred it. And it had gone on like this into my late twenties. I put whiskey before anything else. I didn't know how to function without it.

My girlfriend and I had moved in together. I was a month sober after attending meetings. One weekend, my girlfriend had a "girls weekend" away with friends. I spent it drinking by myself, in our apartment, and getting so ashamed of myself that I destroyed furniture in a fit of rage. The event cost us our apartment. I had gotten us evicted after a neighbor reported the incident to management. I hit my rock-bottom, and I dragged the love of my life down with me. She deserved better. And I deserved better, because I knew I was better than this. I was on a path to self-destruction. Something had to change.

My girlfriend, who is now my wife of almost 5 years, decided to stick with me. She's my angel. She helped me crawl out of the bottle; she's laid on the barbed wire for me, and continues to be my rock today and forever. I'll be six-years sober this May 15th, 2017, and I'll be celebrating it with my beautiful wife, and two gorgeous daughters (Raisa, 3, and Korbyn, 2). My career is in tact and successful; we're home owners in a wonderful neighborhood; and I have enormous support from all of my close friends and family. I used alcohol to numb my own mental pain; but for nearly six-years, I have been facing my obstacles head-on with a clear mind and conscience, and, of course, with the support of my angel---my wife, Stephanie, who never stopped believing in me.