Mike’s Story of Weight Loss and Food Addiction Recovery COR Retreat

One of the initial exercises that Michael had me do was a cost-benefit analysis of using drugs and alcohol. I have returned to this page a few times to remind myself that life is way better now and full of hope and true contentment, compared to the false promise of an escape to booze and drugs. Mike believes his use of prescription opioids transitioned to addiction within three to six months after first taking prescription opioids. He did not realize how physically dependent upon opioids his body had become until he became very sick from withdrawal after forgetting to bring his prescription on a vacation. From then on, he continued taking prescription opioids not to treat any pain, but to avoid feeling these withdrawal symptoms ever again.

A Father’s Recovery Story

With each obstacle, his resolve to recover grew stronger. He began to approach his recovery more systematically, recognizing that true healing would require more than just abstaining from drugs. He made multiple attempts at rehabilitation, but initially struggled to maintain long-term abstinence. His early efforts were hindered by a skewed view of recovery, as he continued to drink and participate in party scenes. When Jersey Shore premiered in December 2009, Mike’s life changed overnight.

The Road to Recovery: Addiction Success Stories

Although there were some bumps in the road, the liver started working perfectly, his new liver began functioning perfectly, and Mike worked hard to regain his strength. The transplant team at UC Health remained unwavering in their dedication. His transplant surgeon regularly checked in, ensuring Mikes Recovery and Success Story that Mike’s body was accepting the donated liver.

Community and Connection

Screaming in pain I trudged along not knowing if the next day would be my last, and most of the time I would even pray that the next day would be my last. I could not keep going and I did not want to keep going. The power of personal narratives in understanding https://ecosoberhouse.com/ addiction cannot be overstated. These stories, raw and unfiltered, offer a window into the soul-crushing reality of substance abuse and the arduous path to recovery.

“Only certain people would slice,” he recalls, “because that was, like, where you Sobriety had to really nail it.” Alongside his colleague buddies, he was always talking to the tourists who flocked to the ocean. There’s no way to know for sure, but Cancro thinks the deli had to be the highest-volume sub shop in the country, even back then. On an average summer day it went through “850 giant loaves a day,” Cancro says, “or $130,000 in sales a week, in today’s dollars.” He was always serving people, always memorizing their orders. The couple’s journey to parenthood wasn’t without its difficulties.

• Mike is now a passionate advocate for those struggling with addiction, a certified intervention professional, and the founder of Wicked Sober LLC.
• A call that he had been waiting almost two years for at another hospital.
• Zoe’s intake staff is standing by to answer your questions, help you learn more about the treatment process, and get you started as soon as possible, just as we did for Mike.
• Even after doing some time in prison, I kept taking bigger risks.
• Let these stories remind you that recovery is within reach—and we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.
• Mike’s proposal to Lauren during the revival of Jersey Shore marked a new chapter in his life.

In two short months, a call shattered the anxious silence – a donor match for a liver had been found through UC Health. A call that he had been waiting almost two years for at another hospital. Started drinking and smoking weed at 13 years old, by 18 he discovered opiates, at 30 years old things started to take turn for the worst. RISE Housing and Support Services, and especially the staff at Milestone Manor, are proud to be a part of Mike’s story. We wish him the best and continued success in his recovery.

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom to the top of my heart, thank you. As for Surrender and Pete, they were both great guys to talk to when Claudia was on vacation or in MRT (Moral Reconation Therapy) classes or CAT (Comprehensive Addiction Therapy) with Pete. I had a wonderful experience and I’m super grateful for being held accountable for my actions. I’m also grateful for being called out when I lied or was lying by omission; not blatantly lying, but with holding the truth.