Helvi K.

What excites you the most now when you get up in the morning?|I wake up grateful, well rested, with a clear head, and ready to take on whatever comes my way. So much better than not sleeping through the night, waking up tired, and not mentally prepared for the day ahead of me.|What is your motto? And what about this motto appeals to you?|As the Rolling Stones sang, “You can’t always get what you want…you get what you need.”
Throughout my life, I have always gotten what I needed whether I knew it (at the time) or not. With faith and acceptance, you will always get what you need. Sometimes, unanswered prayers are the answer!|What has been the best part of recovery for you? Why?|Being honest with myself and those around me, and not pretending to be someone that I am not. I have learned that it is ok to put myself first, it is ok to say no or not now, and that I need to be honest with myself and others to continue my journey. Those around me will understand and be supportive if they know that I am coming from a place of honesty. |What would you say is the biggest success (professional or personal) since leaving Mountainside?|Supporting my nephew in his journey to stop drinking and celebrating his first year of sobriety on February 18, 2018.

My nephew has been struggling with his drinking for a long time and has not been able to see a way out. Two weeks after I left Mountainside I found myself having lunch with him (and his Mom) updating them on where I had been for the past 40 days, sharing my rehab experience and all of the reasons I thought Mountainside was a great facility and the right choice for me.

The universe works! During lunch, my nephew recognized that his addiction was out of control, admitted his struggle with drinking, and asked for help. I brought him to Mountainside, and he was admitted to detox that evening.

He is convinced that it was meant to be because if I had not been through it, did not share my Mountainside experience, and was not at lunch that day, he would have not gone to rehab.

I am so proud of him and his accomplishment, and grateful that he believed in himself enough to stop drinking.|What has been your biggest hurdle in recovery and how did you learn to overcome it?|Putting myself out there and being vulnerable, without using. I am an introvert and find it difficult to live outside of my comfort zone. I haven’t learned to overcome it entirely, but I do push myself more than I have in the past. I am now willing to feel a bit uncomfortable to gain the experience. I remind myself that without the risk, there is no reward. |What was the turning point that led you to get help?|I became very reclusive, gave up my volunteer and social activities, and couldn’t wait for the 6:00 PM bell to ring so I could drink. No one close to me knew how much I was drinking because I had shut everyone out.

I went to see a new therapist (who is wonderful) and she told me that as long as I was self-medicating she would not be able to treat me effectively. She encouraged me to seek help, educated me on rehab facilities, and what to expect. Up until then, I was not aware the opportunity to go to rehab was available. I saw her on a Tuesday and was in detox on Thursday. Her compassion and genuine care for my well-being changed my life. I will be forever grateful.|If you could what would you tell your younger self?|You are exactly who you are meant to be. The universe has a plan, and you need to subscribe to it. You are the best you that you can be, enjoy the ride.|What would you like people who are afraid to receive treatment to know?|That treatment is a gift, an investment in your future, and you are worth it. Although the first step is the hardest, it will change your life if you let it. You will find that you are not alone and those around you will be supportive of you and encourage your recovery. |What suggestions do you have for newcomers?|Build your sober network and stay connected to sober people. The connections and relationships that I made at Mountainside are invaluable. Also, truly take one day at a time. It may not seem attainable at the beginning of your recovery, but you can do anything for one day. You GOT this!|What is the best advice that you have been given?|Stay humble.|What is the one item that you can’t do without?|My iPad.|Would you rather be an inventor or leader? Why?|I would rather be a leader. I love to support others and encourage them to be the best they can be. Being a leader means being responsible to provide vision, opportunity, and service to others. |Who, dead or living, is on the guest list for your ideal dinner party?|My Mom and Dad ⎼ unfortunately, they both passed away when I was in my 20s. I would love to have the opportunity to spend time with them as my older self and share all of my joys, sorrows, and life experiences.|What’s the one thing that people would be pleasantly surprised to know about you?|That I enjoy making people laugh.|What are you currently reading or what song have you enjoyed recently? What do you love about it?|I just started reading Wherever You Go There You Are. I am on a journey to be more mindful and to experience life more fully.