Randy's Story

Once broke, now sober and president of a construction company

Randy counts himself among the lucky ones - an alcoholic who found the tools to survive. He's grateful Bryan Independence Center has shared his journey for 23 years.

His story is like one long nightmare. His father committed suicide when Randy was seven. His stepfather, a drinker in construction, caused the family to move a lot, and Randy to switch schools. His parents argued. It got to the point some nights that the youngster preferred living among possible dangers on the street to returning to the certainty of fights at home. This rough and tumble life included dark times of depression and alcoholism.

Still, Randy was a survivor. He did well at work, and people saw potential in him. And he was good at shaking off the hangovers.

Then in late 1986, he passed out while stopped at an intersection out in the country. He woke up as a police officer was removing the keys from his vehicle's ignition. It was Randy's sixth DWI. He was so certain he was going to prison that he went drinking shortly before his court date. And decided to kill himself.

But a stranger - in a bar, no less - told Randy about the Bryan Independence Center. There, he learned the first five steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. Group and one-on-one discussions prepared him for being back outside. "It's a place that's safe," Randy says. "The team supported me with caring and chiseled away at my denial until I had a breakthrough."

For the first time, Randy was starting to believe he would survive. Clean and sober since 1986, this 56-year-old is married and the president of a successful construction company.

With the help of Bryan Independence Center, Randy was able to find his way back to the right side of that fine line.

To learn how you can support Bryan Independence Center, contact the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605 or make a gift online.