Headfirst Into Oblivion
A Beacon post

Many who struggle with substance abuse can point to something that triggered their addiction — maybe an abusive childhood or a personal tragedy. But not Eric. He says if anything jump-started his battle with the bottle, it might have been an overactive brain.

“I’ve had an extraordinarily normal life,” he says. “I came from a very loving family. I majored in philosophy and religion. I got to thinking too much, and I became overwhelmed with some sort of existential angst.”

“The amount of vodka I’ve consumed could probably kill a whale,” Eric, 50, says. “I don’t know why I’m still alive.”

Along the way, Eric’s alcoholism cost him several jobs as an insurance claims adjuster. Worse, it cost him some close relationships, including two engagements. The second broken engagement, not too long ago, really left him reeling.

“I became overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness,” he says. “I no longer cared about anything. That’s when I went headfirst into oblivion.”

Soon thereafter, Eric came to the Mission.

“I was nervous,” he says. “But I knew I needed to do something. Now I wish I’d done it sooner.”

Eric says the Mission not only helped him find sobriety again — he hasn’t had a drink in about a year and a half — but helped him find purpose, too.

“Working in claims was rather soulless,” he says. “Now I want to get a job in recovery because of the experience I’ve had at the Mission. In an effort to make up for some of the damage I’ve done with my drinking, I want to do something where I’m a benefit to others. Without the Mission, I’d be in the streets, suffering. Now I want to give back what was so freely given to me.”

Eric, and many others like him, thank YOU for freely giving to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, where your support turns lives around every single day.