Guy C.

What is the best way to start the day?|I like to wake up early, and as per my sponsor’s suggestion, read a few pages of _As Bill Sees It_ and _Daily Reflections_. This is a good way for me to center myself before a potentially busy day at work.|What is your motto? And what about this motto appeals to you?|“Hakuna Matata” – it means no worries! This is classic: first, because the Lion King is an awesome movie, but also because it’s true. Before I got sober I would get stressed out easily at work, and I tended to focus on things that would cause me anxiety. Now, in recovery, I have learned not to worry about things I have no control over and, most importantly, understand that everything will work out in the end. |What or who motivates you in your recovery?|A big motivating factor for me in my recovery is my family. Without them, I would never have gone to rehab. I want to stay sober for them almost as much as I want to stay sober for me. I love my life now, and I know my family loves to see me happy.|What has been the best part of recovery for you? Why?|There are many great things about recovery! For me, I absolutely love the meetings in NYC where I live. There are so many unique meetings and amazing people in the sober community here. I also love not being confined to my apartment like I used to be. I would never want to leave or do anything because I was too focused on getting high and drunk. Now, in recovery, I enjoy my weekends walking around the city and meeting new people.|What would you say is the biggest success (professional or personal) you’ve had since leaving Mountainside?|Since leaving Mountainside, I would say the biggest success so far is celebrating one year of sobriety! It’s been an amazing journey, and it’s had its ups and downs, but my main focus every single day is staying sober. So, for me, celebrating 365 consecutive days sober is absolutely mind-blowing.|What has been your biggest hurdle in recovery and how did you learn to overcome it?|The biggest hurdle is something I still struggle with. Being young and getting sober is tough, especially when living in NYC. Most of my friends from when I was using (some I have been friends with since high school) barely talk to me anymore. I have also struggled with trying to find something to do on weekends that doesn’t involve going to a bar. Meeting sober friends my age has also been hard. But I am working on it.|What was the turning point that led you to get help?|was when I woke up in a hospital with stitches after trying to kill myself. I was drunk one night and took a steak knife and cut my wrist. I have no memory of what I was thinking or why I did it, but that next morning was when I realized I can’t trust myself drinking or doing drugs anymore. Thankfully, I was finally ready to surrender, and when my dad and brother brought up that I needed rehab, I agreed with no hesitation.|What would you like people who are afraid to receive treatment know?|It might be scary at first, but it was hands down the best decision I ever made in my life. The things I have learned at Mountainside I will take with me the rest of my life. Take everything you learn in rehab to heart because it all helps.|What is the best advice you have been given?|I have received a lot of good advice in recovery so far. My sponsor told me to do “90 in 90,” and I am so glad I took his advice and did it. It got me in the habit of going to meetings, raising my hand, asking for help, and meeting new people. My sponsor also told me to do a sober ski trip that a group from NYC was doing. I was nervous but decided to go for it and ended up having the most fun I have ever had in sobriety.|What brings you the most happiness? Or What makes you laugh most?|I love to read, so I am the happiest when I am laying on my couch with a good book, drinking some coffee.|What is something you are looking forward to in the few months?|I am going to New York Comic Con for the first time this October, and I can’t wait!|Who—dead or living—is on the guest list for your ideal dinner party?|This is a hard question. My ideal guest list for a dinner party would be: Stephen King, Steven Tyler, Anthony Bourdain, and Guy Fieri. |What would you name the autobiography of your life? And why?|“Don’t Spend All Your Money on Drugs and Alcohol – You’ll Regret it.” (Do I really need to explain why?)|What song best sums you up?|“I’m So Tired” by The Beatles.|What’s the one thing people would be pleasantly surprised to know about you?|Guy is my real name. People tend to think it’s not a real name, but I assure you it is very real.