“They help through support, and that’s almost number one on top of the list, is having support, having people,” Guspar says. “It’s just a good feeling when you see somebody you recognize and you're just talking and sharing experiences. It’s just great.” Achieving contentment After nearly 30 years of chaos, Guspar has found the kind of peace many of us aspire to. He is living in his own apartment with a dog and two parrots, can drive again for the first time in three years, and is focused on maintaining his sobriety. He says he feels accepted again and thanks UMADAOP for giving him the tools to succeed. He now plans to put those tools to good use. “I’m really at the point of contentment. I have everything, I have an apartment, I just got a vehicle,” Guspar says. “I’m content where I’m at. I love myself again and I care about who I am and what I do.”
Searching for answers Guspar grew up in what he describes as a “somewhat dysfunctional” family, which left him without the love and affection he needed. He says once he started finding acceptance in friends, he began to chase that acceptance, giving into peer pressure as a way to stay in the group. Guspar says he started smoking marijuana and drinking wine at a young age, but things escalated dramatically over the years. “I’ve done alcohol and drugs most of my life, since I was 13,” Guspar says. “I was an alcoholic, I drank a lot and when I found heroin, I immediately stopped drinking and started doing this drug, not seeing the consequences.” What started as a search for acceptance became a decades-long addiction marked by arrests, rehab stints, and difficult circumstances. Guspar says a 34-day jail sentence woke him up to the reality of his situation and the need for treatment. That’s when his brother told him about UMADAOP Lucas County. “I finally looked at all the stress and the
chaos in my life and I decided to do something about it,” Guspar says. “I didn’t want anyone to dictate my life, I wanted to do it on my own.” Putting in the work Since coming to UMADAOP Lucas County, Guspar has learned to navigate the complex emotions and mental health issues that contributed to his behavior. He says it didn’t happen quickly, but through group and individual counseling sessions, he learned to open up and be more honest about his life. “I was pushing down a lot of feelings and I wasn’t dealing with life and reality anymore,” Guspar says. “I made up my mind that I wanted to change for the better and I can’t tell you how my life has been, it’s just been wonderful.” Having been to several other treatment facilities in the past, Guspar says UMADAOP Lucas County stands apart because of its dedicated staff. He says they show “a genuine caring” toward clients, and Guspar feels comfortable going to them when he needs their help. He says those connections to others have proved the most vital part of his recovery process.
“I’mcontentwhere I’mat. I love myself again and I care aboutwho I am andwhat I do.” - Guspar
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