How My Post-rehabilitation Process Improves Me As a Human Being
Eight years ago, I went for alcohol treatment. My personality changed. To better.
Fifteen years ago, I changed my workplace because I was unhappy with my career development. It was strictly based on Microsoft’s technologies, and I needed a change.
I started a new job as a senior process and project consultant. I was good at it. So good that the owner suggested I become a stakeholder and one of the directors. I accepted. From today’s point of view, the reasons for that were utterly wrong; money, bonuses, and material benefits.
I started. Suddenly significant part of my job was handling the company instead of working with customers. I got no problem working with customers. Usually, we get the same idea of how to improve the organization and make it more efficient, and the results are happier people and more revenue (which reflects salaries).
Part of handling the company was stressful. Extremely stressful. I started drinking. Usually, it was a drink or two after work, but over the years, I get a heavy alcohol addiction.
I was sure I would die of alcoholism.
In August 2014th, I went to rehab in the hospital. After only a month, they told me I was free to go and to take care of abstinence. I have had no single drink since then; I only drink water and coffee, primarily rye coffee.
Unexpectedly, for me, at least, it was a complete change of mindset. Suddenly money was not so important. I sold my part of the company (it was a huge company back then).
A lot of things came back to my life. Now I enjoy looking at the sky, watching stars, moon, and clouds. I started noticing things around me, like trees, flowers, bumblebees, smells, architecture, and people. A complete set of values imploded and disappeared.
I started reading again, riding a bicycle, enjoy life with my daughter and wife. As I noticed people around me, many of them in not very good positions or shape, I remembered what kind of person I was.
I actively started helping others. With a few friends, I regularly collect stuff to help refugees and bring things I don’t need to charity organizations. Before Christmas, I collect money with friends (even from my new company) to buy necessities for people having trouble.
The next step was planned elsewhere. Such activities are now a regular part of my daily life. I lecture people (I got a very strong IT, math, and analytical background) for free in my apartment. Feed them, explaining they had to struggle, learn and fight.
And there is the most important result, besides my daughter. From time to time, every one of them gives me a call to inform me about their progress. I could not be happier when someone stopped me on the street and say — Thank you, Danijel.
That is what I am now living for. Family and people.
