153ow did you become a user of
drugs and/or alcohol?
Same as most young people probably,
started smoking weed and having a few beers,
got really drunk at some parties.
When did you realize you had a problem?
Pretty early on, maybe by age 19. I knew
when I drank that shit might get out of
control; blacking out and doing things I never
would have done sober. Dr Jeckyl and Mr
Hyde!
How bad did it get? What was the
breaking point that made you decide it
was time to stop/get help?
I stopped at 24. I’d say the last three-to-fouryears I started doing harder drugs, and the
drinking got worse. I was driving drunk a
lot, weed 24/7, getting in more trouble, a
few nights in jail here and there, did some
serious time (two days). It was really just all
so out of my control. I would tell myself I
was gonna have one beer with my friends
and truly believe it, then three days later I
would be suffering, wondering how did this
happen again, every time. It sucked. Some
of my really close friends had gotten sober
and I came home after a little bender and
they said, “You need help.” I knew I did. I had
been trying to stop on my own for years, I just
couldn’t do it. So I listened to them and did
what they were doing to stop.How did you get sober?
I started taking advice and listening to people
who had some time sober, taking direction,
realizing I only needed to stay sober one day
at a time.
What are the challenges of staying
sober?
This is the best choice I’ve ever made in my
life! Any challenges that come up in life are
going to come up with or without drinking and
drugs, so I’d say the challenge is facing hard
situations sober and dealing with things in a
better way. Staying sober becomes easy after
some time.
What are the rewards of staying sober?
For me, everything, I wouldn’t have this life—
with the relationships, career, Baker, all of it. I
wouldn’t be doing this interview. I’d probably
be dead. And I’ve came across many people
who have been able to stop because they
heard I struggled with it too. That’s amazing.
What advice would you give to someone
who wants to quit?
You are never too young or old to stop. You
can not do it alone. Be honest with someone
and don’t isolate. Sometimes it seems
impossible, but it gets easier!H
“THIS IS THE BEST CHOICE
I’VE EVER MADE
IN MY LIFE!”
ANDREW REYNOLDS
PHOTOS: ATIBA