Robert K.

I grew up in an alcoholic home. My dad was a severe alcoholic, and it was tough growing up dealing with the mental and physical abuse. As a young child I could feel the demons and I prayed and swore I would never be like him. It was hard and feel like I grew up fast. At the age of 12 I stepped up and fought him to protect my mother from it. I felt like I was lost and never knew what would happen next. I constantly prayed asking God to make it all stop.

At the age of 16 I would leave home, in the early evening, to get away from the drinking and found myself riding around and drinking myself. During my college years I learned to party and drank even more. Many mornings I woke up on my apartment bathroom floor from the night before.

Drinking became a part of my life while I still swore, I wouldn't be like my dad.

Many rough years went by until one day my dad called me at work and asked for help. He admitted he had a drinking problem and needed help to stop.

On April 27, 1987, I brought my dad to a rehab facility where he stayed for 30 days. During his stay my family attended a family week to learn more about ourselves and how to deal with recovery.

It was during that week that I realized what I had become. I had become an alcoholic and was possessed by the same demons I had fought with all my life.

My dad and I celebrated 18 years sober together before he passed away. During that time, we shared a lot. It was a miracle from GOD that he and I left our demons behind that same day and shared a new life together. I learned many things from my dad and the most important thing is that I am just like him and very proud of that. He is my hero in life, and I am now blessed with 35 years sober.

We both realized what the demons had done in taking over our lives and finally had enough. it was through the grace of GOD that we put the demons behind us and took control of our future. Staying sober has been a blessing for me and my family. It's not always easy but it's worth it every day and I still keep the demons away one day at a time.

Today, I share our story and work to help anyone I can who suffer from the demons of addiction.

God Bless you in this ministry and thank you for what you're doing.