What if one decision could change everything? Josue grew up swearing he’d never drink, but at fourteen, he took his first sip and never looked back. Alcohol became his escape—first from childhood pain, then from the grief of losing his father. At his lowest, he was drinking at work, convinced he was just “functioning.” But when he stumbled across This Naked Mind, everything changed, and quitting alcohol gave him a second chance at life.

The First Sip That Changed Everything

I grew up in a strict religious home where drinking was off-limits. My mom made sure we all knew that alcohol was a bad idea—especially after watching my dad stumble in late from nights out drinking with his friends instead of sitting next to us in church. As a kid, I swore I’d never touch the stuff.

Then, at fourteen, my older brother poured himself a drink, laughing, carefree, like he had life all figured out. Suddenly, alcohol didn’t look so bad. In fact, it looked… fun. So, I took my first sip. And just like that, the thing I swore I’d never do became the thing that started controlling my life.

Drinking to Cope With Grief

By high school, alcohol became more than just fun. My dad was diagnosed with brain cancer, and I watched him deteriorate before my eyes. Our home turned into a hospice, and my world shrank down to the sound of his pain—moans from the other room, the hum of machines, whispered conversations about what came next.

I wanted to drown it all out. I wanted to make the sadness disappear. So, I drank. I drank to escape, to cope, to forget. But the more I drank, the worse it got. His pain was my pain, and alcohol wasn’t helping either of us.

High-Functioning, High-Drinking

By the time I was an adult, drinking was just part of my routine. I was a functioning alcoholic—at least that’s what I told myself. If I had work early the next day, I’d just drink earlier so I could pass out sooner and “recover” in time. Celebrating? Drink. Stressed? Drink. Tuesday? Sure, why not?

The truth? I wasn’t functioning. I was just surviving, and even that was starting to feel like too much. My body was breaking down. My mind was exhausted. And worst of all—I didn’t even recognize myself anymore.

The Unexpected Turn That Saved Me

I live in NYC, and one day, between clients, the craving hit. That familiar, nagging voice whispered: Just one drink. Just take the edge off. I was on my way to a bar when, for some reason, I stopped at The Shops at Columbus Circle instead.

I wandered into the Amazon bookstore and saw This Naked Mind right there at the front of the store. It was like it was waiting for me. But I wasn’t ready to announce to the world that I needed help—so I bought the audiobook instead.

That decision changed everything.

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Quitting Alcohol Gave Me a Second Chance at Life

I thought I was different. I thought I was broken. That’s what alcohol had me believing. But This Naked Mind stripped away the lies I had been telling myself for years. The science, the stories, the truth—it all clicked.

I wasn’t weak. I wasn’t a failure. The reality was that I was just stuck in a cycle I didn’t understand. And once I understood it, I was finally able to break free. Quitting alcohol gave me a second chance at life in ways I never imagined.

What Five Years Alcohol-Free Looks Like

I won’t lie—getting here wasn’t easy. But every day, every craving resisted, every moment I stayed present instead of numbing out, it all added up. Now, five years later, here’s what my life looks like:

• My marriage is thriving. Turns out, real connection is way better than alcohol-fueled conversations.
• My career is at its peak. I no longer show up to work hungover or distracted.
• My body? The best shape of my life. Who knew all those empty calories were holding me back?
• I’m a better father, husband, friend, and brother. Because I’m actually here—fully present.
• And perhaps the best part? My wife and I are expecting another child. I get to be the kind of father my dad never had the chance to be.

A Message to the Old Me (and Maybe to You)

If I could go back and tell my younger self anything, it would be this: Be kind to yourself. You are not broken. You are not alone. Change is possible.

I know because I lived it. I know because quitting alcohol gave me a second chance at life. And if you’re here, reading this, maybe it’s time for your second chance too.

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