A story of hope: Ivan found a new meaning in life

Check out the story of Ivan, who at the age of 62 decided to get rid of his addiction to drugs and alcohol. Thanks to treatment at the NEO Center, he overcame his doubts and found the courage to start over. We guided him on the path of recovery, helped him find his lost balance and supported him every step of the way. His story proves that it is never too late to change your life. The decision is in your hands!

A turning point in life: Ivan found a way out of the vicious circle

It's strange. I have a great family, successful children and I'm healthy. I don't have problems with my wife, I'm doing well. When I ask myself why I did it - there was no single reason. It just occurred to me that when I had a problem, it was in my nature to know in advance that it would end badly. I created negative scenarios and went around in circles, I couldn't sleep at night, I collapsed and reached for hypnotics to calm down.

I took hypnotics for several years, the amount increasing. At first I bought them from well-known doctors, then I bought them on the black market. Sometimes I combined them with alcohol and the consequences were terrible. I more or less thought that I was able to hide it, my wife suspected it, but I always somehow "talked her out". But then my partner at work called my brother, who is a doctor, once, saying that my car was constantly broken into, that I was not concentrating at work and that I actually didn't remember half of the things.

Once I took a combination of medication and alcohol and my daughter was sleeping with me and her children were sleeping in the bedroom next door. My wife was away. I went to get some pills at night and I fell and the pills scattered all over the room. She saw it. She stood over me and cried. That was the first trigger that I had to do something about it. But I was still lying to myself. I was afraid they would take my pills away, so I kept buying them like crazy. Then when I was in NE and my family searched the apartment, they found an incredible supply for several years.

I also entered Neo with a special distrust and a feeling of heroism. I smuggled something in there and of course it didn't work out. Luckily, they gave me a second chance. Of course, my children and wife found out and now I was a total loser. That was such a motivation for me that I would either do it now or never and leave a legacy behind - a junkie dad.

I was 62 at the time, I told myself that I didn't want to pack it in and be that shitty person who watches at home, like a bunch of noodles, and secretly goes somewhere to get something.

I extended my stay in NE. When I left, I saw everything tragically again – when I looked into the eyes of my family and employees… I came home, it was a difficult few days, but then I slept really well after a long time. It's been four years now. Since then, I have felt at peace and quiet. My children and wife are proud of me!

Usually, when I tell myself I'm going to do something, I do it - when I was "playing in the first league", I kept postponing treatment, finding reasons to postpone it. It was the same with smoking, losing weight, and now I've managed to do this too. I've taken stock of myself and I feel great. I walk 10 to 15 kilometers every day, I take care of my five grandchildren and I live a nice life.

I used to stress about everything, but thanks to what I've been through, these ten years, I don't understand why I ruined it like that. My family is a huge motivation for me, I care about them a lot. I don't know how many years I have left and I don't want to ruin them anymore.

Do you need help?

NEO Center's expert director, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Kateřina Marklová on Ivan's story

Does it happen that a person feels like they don't actually have a problem and then falls into addiction anyway?

Yes, addiction clients often have a defense mechanism of denial, i.e. they don't notice the problem or downplay it (I have it under control, I can stop whenever I want). Then others see the problem much earlier than the person is able to admit it.

What often triggers a person to realize they have a problem and want to start solving it?

Very often it is pressure from family or close people. Other reasons are health problems, problems at work or problems with the law.

How difficult is it for the whole family to find out that their loved one is addicted to something?

It is certainly a good idea to join forces, to do something like a family council that will recommend what and how to proceed. It is a good idea to talk about concerns about his health and set clear boundaries that addictive behavior is unacceptable for those close to him. I also recommend consulting with a specialist, if necessary, on how to proceed and how to protect your own energy sources.

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CERAD s.r.o. holds the accreditation of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic for the implementation of the specialized educational program "Healthcare Psychologist - Clinical Psychology"