Eddie and his son share an incredibly close bond, for which Eddie is extremely grateful.
On June 9, 2024, Eddie stopped drinking alcohol. More than 400 days later, he’s maintained his sobriety and the clarity of purpose born from his decision to live a sober life. A Denver native, Eddie’s life has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but his unwavering determination to overcome his alcoholism and mental health challenges from Bipolar Disorder has led him to a place of stability and hope.
Eddie’s Struggle with Alcoholism
Eddie’s battle with alcohol began in 2019, following the death of his father. The loss was devastating, and Eddie turned to alcohol to try to feel better. “My life basically started falling apart,” Eddie said. “That’s when I started drinking daily, trying to numb the pain.”
“I didn’t want to deal with my grief and my problems,” he said. “I just wanted everything to go away.”
At one point, Eddie tried to stop drinking, but the withdrawal symptoms took a toll on his physical and mental health, leading to a near-fatal car accident caused by a seizure while driving his son home from football practice. The accident left Eddie with severe injuries, including broken knees and an ankle, and he had to learn how to walk again. The accident also reinforced his former belief that trying to stop drinking was pointless, so he continued.
Tragedy and a Turning Point
One of the most impactful moments in Eddie’s recovery journey was the death of his sister, Lizzie, from alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Eddie and his sister were extremely close, and both struggled with alcohol use. Her passing was a wake-up call for Eddie, making him realize the severity of his addiction and the need to seek help.
“When she passed away, Lizzie had been experiencing seizures from alcohol withdrawal,” he said. “She didn’t have access to Medicaid or quality healthcare, and I believe not having those resources led to her death.”
“Being the first to find her when she died let me know that I had a problem, and I had to do something about it. I was determined that this couldn’t kill me, too. I couldn’t go out like that. I had to be here for my son, for my loved ones and for me.”
Eddie’s path to sobriety has been marked by significant challenges, but his determination to overcome them has been unwavering. His involvement with WellPower has been instrumental in his recovery. Since he began services in 2010 to address and treat his Bipolar Disorder, WellPower has provided Eddie with a safety net, offering therapy, psychiatry, case management and other essential services.
Currently, Eddie also uses Medicaid insurance to cover the cost of his behavioral health services. Being enrolled in Medicaid has been crucial in his ability to keep accessing the services and medications he needs. With his Medicaid insurance, he’s able to get therapy and psychiatry, receive his medication shots at the Recovery Center and get support from the wide range of programs and supports that WellPower provides.
“Without WellPower, and without Medicaid, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” said Eddie. “I’ve been in services with WellPower for 15 years, for different mental and behavioral health challenges. I’ve learned to accept the help that they offer, and the staff here have really been critical to me working towards the life I have now.”
Eddie has high opinions of the staff at WellPower, who have taken the time to get to know him, providing personalized care and support. “The key thing about WellPower is the people here care about your story,” he said. “They care about your situation enough that they’ll take the time to find the right resources and supports for you and help you access them.”
Accepting Help and Embracing Community
Sobriety has had a profoundly positive impact on Eddie’s relationships with his friends and family. His friends have been a constant source of support, showing up for him during his darkest moments and celebrating his successes.
“These people are my support system,” said Eddie. “This is my community. This is what I have to rely on and they show up for me in every way. Some of these friends have been with me since we were little kids, and they saw me at my worst.” Eddie’s love for his son, Eddie III, has also been a driving force in his recovery. His dedication to being a present and supportive father is evident in the way he talks about his son. He loves spending time with him, watching him grow and being involved in his school activities.
“My primary motivations for improving my well-being are three things: my life, my son and my freedom,” he said. “I’m so grateful to have the choice in how I spend my days, my time. I wake up grateful to drink a cup of coffee and talk to my mom. I didn’t have these feelings of awareness around how precious freedom and life are when I was drinking heavily.”
A Message of Hope: Eddie’s Advice to Others
Eddie’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking help and the impact of love and support in the recovery process. His journey has been marked by significant challenges, which he’s been able to overcome through his resilience and determination.
For those struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Eddie offers this advice: “Mental health issues and addiction can be cause-and-effect for one another and dealing with them must also be mutually inclusive. You have to want help. You have to want to be better for yourself. If you’re not intentionally choosing to get help, then nothing in your life is going to change.”
WellPower is Here to Help
WellPower gladly welcomes people with Medicaid coverage. To access mental health and behavioral health services at WellPower, the first thing to do is to call us at (303) 504-7900.
Please contact us if you have any questions about accessing services for yourself, your minor child (ages 0-17) or other family members for whom you have guardianship. Wondering about accessing our services with Medicaid insurance? Find out more about Medicaid here.