r/MadeMeSmile • u/Fleeb-man7622 • Jul 22 '21
I was addicted to drugs from the age of 14-21. I went to rehab in Dec. 2018 to begin my first and only attempt at sobriety. It's my daughter's third bday Sunday, and in these 3 best years of my life, I've been able to earn her mother's trust back, and finally provide for them myself. Never lose hope Small Success
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u/bible-j Jul 22 '21
That’s a terrific huge success
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
Thank you so much. I really appreciate that
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u/inuttedinyourdad Jul 23 '21
You have a beautiful family. It's really nice to see fathers step up and make the right choice. So proud of you dude 👏
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 23 '21
Thank you so much. I grew up without my mother or father, so I always knew, no matter what I'd never be a distant or non present parent. I'm just happy I could be a good one too, not just there.
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u/alemen1962 Jul 22 '21
Just don’t ever look back on what were. You’ll find that trust is the hardest thing to earn and keep. Don’t ever lose whatever you’ve gained. Keep what’s important in you’re heart. Congratulations, keep up the good work. I’m sure many are proud of you.
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
Thank you so much. I'm just so blessed to have a person who was willing to see this through to the end and believe I could fully be the person she saw in me one day. And willing to give me the chance to make up all the bad things and be the person they both needed and deserved.
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u/alemen1962 Jul 22 '21
Great. Now, go back and read these words you just wrote. It’s a good reminder and incentive. I’ll be saying prayers for you and all those in your circle. You got this! 🙏😊
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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '21
You're a fucking inspiration. Stay strong and GET IT.
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
Thank you so much. I never wanna go back there and I hope for us to continue on a good upward path for a long time to come
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u/Street-Writer Jul 22 '21
She's a lucky Mumma to have you back. 💕💖
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
She has done so much for me throughout all my struggles she deserves the world back 10 fold. I've never met a person like her before
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u/PhotographRemote1316 Jul 22 '21
Awwwww well done you for finding your strength and such a blessing happy 3rd birthday to your little princess 👸🎁🎊
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
Thank you so much. I'm so exited, Sunday is gonna be the first birthday party I've been able to throw her on my own.
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
Thank you so much. I'm so exited, Sunday is gonna be the first birthday party I've been able to throw her on my own.
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u/RoboticKittenMeow Jul 22 '21
This did indeed make me smile. Congrats
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
Thank you so much I'm so happy to hear that
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u/RoboticKittenMeow Jul 22 '21
I have family that has struggled with heroin my whole life. So as a random reddit stranger, I'm fucking proud of you.
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
Thank you so much. I really appreciate yours and every other kind word I've gotten on here.
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u/BBaffin Jul 22 '21
Great job man! Keep at it, your daughter needs you!
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u/PhotographRemote1316 Jul 22 '21
Awwwww you have worked hard and this is your reward 🙌 children are such a gift my daughters saved me bk when I had some very hard times have an amazing time 🙌 these yrs are precious 🙏mine are all grown up now so I miss having my little girls around 🙏
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
I'm so happy to hear that for you, mine has done the exact same thing. My now fiancé (I did that last year too) was 18 me 21 when we got pregnant, I never could have known it would be the thing that saved my life, the two of us having a baby even though we had nothing to put names at the time
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u/hickgorilla Jul 22 '21
That’s really wonderful. I wish you many more years of recovery. You can get through anything good or bad. I know. ;) Beautiful family.
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u/strongapril2021 Jul 22 '21
Congrats for your efforts. Stay sober for you, your wife and your daughter. My best wishes to you all.
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u/Humble_Cat9391 Jul 22 '21
Nice brother. You have grown from a child to a man. Please don’t take that in a negative way, nothing but respect.
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u/AcidSyn8 Jul 22 '21
Awesome man, your daughter is adorable! Congrats on changing your life around and being there for them man! I don’t know you but I’m proud!
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u/jessid6 Jul 22 '21
My baby brother passed away from addiction January 3 2021. You just made me so happy. I hope you recognize you can do ANYTHING
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 23 '21
Thank you so much. I'm so sorry to hear that. I thank my universe every single day that I was able to make it out without something like that happening to me. You stay strong. I'm so happy My story could bring a little bit of happiness to you.
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u/djdownhill Jul 22 '21
Congratulations! I’m so proud of you! 🙏
Those smiles are killing it! ❤️
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
Thank you so much, they make my life a happy existence, truly
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u/djdownhill Jul 22 '21
That’s so great. Sending positive vibes to you and tour family! You got this. 👍🙏
Take my helpful award! You deserve it!
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u/FluffyDiscipline Jul 22 '21
Be so proud of yourself and your wonderful family.... look what you made in 3 yrs .. Well done
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u/thecoffeegrump Jul 22 '21
Your family is beautiful. Let them be your constant reminder and inspiration!
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u/llntrnr Jul 22 '21
All good if you’d prefer not to answer, i was just curious about which drugs you were addicted to. I myself am 21 and have been smoking weed, drinking, and the occasional harder drug. Just looking to see if someone could go to rehab for marijuana or if it was more serious
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
No, no problem at all. I myself was also a weed smoker, but the main of my addiction for most of the years was prescription opiates that I would buy off the streets, and soft cocaine. I also use Xanax, Valium and similar quite frequently along with some hallucinogenics, but I wouldn't say I was addicted to either of those. Then in the later years it moved to fentanyl skin patched I would chew up and suck on, and finally to heroin and crack cocaine only for the final year (a little less actually). But as for your question, if you feel you need help with your issues, no matter how small they may seem, you can absolutely go to rehab. The one I was in had alcoholics, drug addicts, and even co dependents, which are people who don't necessarily use any substance, but have grown too dependent on a person or thing.
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u/llntrnr Jul 22 '21
Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me, my brother. Glad to hear you have begun to turn your life around ❤️
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
Thank you so much. And no thanks necessary at all. I maintained a facade of "ok-ness" for a long time and hid these issues from the people around me, and that's part of why it took so long to get help. So if you feel you need it, no issue is too small or unimportant to get help on if it will help you live a better life. Myself, and so many other people would be more than happy to help you.
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u/ForThorsake Jul 22 '21
Congrats man, you overcame addiction, you can do and be ANYTHING now. Build yourself the life you and your kid deserves.
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u/awakenkraken Jul 22 '21
This is the best thing I’ve seen today. You’re smashing it! Well done, OP.
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u/Skrappy_Doo Jul 22 '21
Congrats bro. Family is the most important thing you can have, enjoy your baby girl. Good stuff
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u/dotsmyfavorite2 Jul 22 '21
You are making a beautiful family now! I'm so glad you won't miss out on that.
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u/Marmee3258 Jul 22 '21
I’m so proud of you, and I don’t even know you! What a huge accomplishment, taking back your life, and the life of your beautiful family! Continued success, with peace and love to you!
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u/Jdoodle7 Jul 22 '21
Awesome news! Keep up the work. Happy 3rd birthday to your daughter … and your family!
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u/amyboxedwinehouse Jul 23 '21
I had a conversation with my friend last night about how amazing it is that we climbed our way out of a hole a lot of people bury themselves in. Everyday be proud of yourself. You deserve it. Most addicts use because of some sort of trauma in their life, and i know this is going to sound weird or maybe even like a cop out but our responses to trauma are totally normal. I am so proud of you sweetheart. You have came a long way. You have conquered. And you did prevail.
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 23 '21
Thank you so much. This means the world to me. Good job to you as well.
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u/TheGrtWhtBuffalo Jul 22 '21
Such a beautiful family. Keep it up man, I believe in you!
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u/Florida2000 Jul 22 '21
Amazing, thanks for sharing. Keep it up and never forget everyday 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day at a time.
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 22 '21
Thank you so much, it's something to try not to talk about too much, but I've always hoped my story could help someone one day
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u/Florida2000 Jul 22 '21
12th step helps you stay grounded and reminds you where you've come from. Stay strong
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u/PhotographRemote1316 Jul 22 '21
You made it 🙌🙌🙌🙌 I remember crying into my dads arms saying "I made it Dad" and now the only time I look back is to see how far I have come 🙏 money isn't the foundation of life it just pays the bills 🙏
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u/Hereforinfo333 Jul 22 '21
Congratulations OP! Honest question - how does one get addicted to drugs at 14? I’m asking so I can understand others’ stories better, not to ridicule
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 23 '21
Well, for me it started stealing pills from my moms pill cabinet, Tylenol with codeine, one of the weakest opiates, from one to a bunch, and I live in Flint Michigan, an area rampant with drugs, moved up to scoring Vicodin from older people, smoking pot, you end up meeting more people with more connections, and the years go by and you just need it more and more often, and stronger and stronger things
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u/StevoTwoPointOh Jul 22 '21
This post gives me a lot of hope. I’m 70 days sober and clean now and still getting my feet back underneath me. God bless you man!
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u/Fleeb-man7622 Jul 23 '21
Keep going bro. You've got this, it's absolutely possible, you can do anything you set your mind to.
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u/n1ght_skye Jul 23 '21
Proud of you <3 you’ve come so far, make those 3 years turn into your lifestyle!
Ps- happy birthday to your daughter!!
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u/WalkLikeAnnEgyptian Jul 23 '21
Congratulations and good luck! Don't ever think it's too late or that it took too long-- every day you have with her is one more than you might have had! Learn to appreciate the time you now have rather than the time you "lost". :)
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u/Durzo21Blint Jul 23 '21
You have a beautiful daughter and I can’t think of a better reason to get clean than her. People may hate me, but as a law enforcement officer I love to see this way more than see somebody have to go to prison to get clean. My dad was arrested for meth and prison made him get clean, hasn’t touched it since he got out. Keep up the good work and I wish nothing but the best for you and your family!
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u/Ok_Dog_4059 Jul 22 '21
Weather you got clean for you or to be a better father for your baby girl that is a huge success. Congratulations and keep it up take care of that baby girl . She is truly a blessing if she gave you to focus you needed to get where you are today.
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u/BCHK Jul 22 '21
Congratulations to you, your partner and your daughter. The effort and discipline you are accomplishing makes you the team. 😃♥️
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u/humangirltype Jul 22 '21
That is a huge accomplishment, and you look so much happier. Congratulations! This internet stranger is proud of you.
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u/Easy_Individual5197 Jul 22 '21
Your family is beautiful! Coming from a family where my father too was in rehab I admire your strength, your daughter will forever be grateful ☺️
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u/LauraZaid11 Jul 22 '21
You remind me of this guy I met when I was my school representative. We would get to go to these meetings with different schools representatives to talk about different related issues. This guy was 19, had been in rehab twice, and had a 1 y/o baby. Luckily he was staying sober and was using his own experience to teach others. A pretty cool guy all around.
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u/ET_phone-home_1 Jul 22 '21
That’s what’s up bro! Congrats on your sobriety! I myself self am 8 months clean & sober! & it feels amazing! Never looking back! But we do recover!💯
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u/mama_emily Jul 22 '21
So awesome dude, you have a beautiful family. Congratulations
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u/actualbeans Jul 22 '21
this didn’t make me smile, this made me CRY. i am SO happy for you, congratulations!! you guys are such a beautiful family :)
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u/Constelllyx Jul 22 '21
Wow. Awesome job! You've gotten so far. Remember that we're all here for you! You've done amazing. Keep going, OP!
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u/MotherButterscotch44 Jul 22 '21
Congratulations dude, the recovery community is proud of you!!! And I’m sure your family. Keep it up!!!!!
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u/rare__air Jul 22 '21
Good for you, sir. I'm sure this hasn't been easy. Keep on pushing through and maintaining that sobriety, you and your daughter both deserve the best!
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u/Pseudo_Sponge Jul 22 '21
Congrats on your sobriety. Have had a lot of family members go down that hole and only a few made it back.
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u/hrmonica Jul 22 '21
Happy Birthday to her!!! And freaking congrats dude!!! I'm so proud you found the strength and the focal point to get to your happy ever after!!! Great job!!!
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u/LORD_2003 Jul 22 '21
Small success? Overcoming 7 years of drugs is huge! And now you've gotten yourself on your feet, big up OP!
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u/ZiOnIsNeXtLeBrOn Jul 22 '21
Congrats on becoming a father, one of the scariest and most amazing jobs on the planets. Shout out to all the amazing parents out there.
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u/fourcatz Jul 22 '21
you're KILLING it dude!!! your family is beautiful! this made me really happy :D congratulations on this utterly massive (and not at all small) success!!
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u/Strategy_pan Jul 22 '21
Jist don't write no letters to Eminem when it's raining and you should be aight... I think?
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u/VWondering77 Jul 22 '21
Omg, good for you!!! These cute pics brought a tear to my eye. Nicely done sir!
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u/DennisIcu Jul 22 '21
Wow, you're amazing man! But so is you daughters mom for giving you a 2nd chance!
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u/outofthe562 Jul 22 '21
That’s my boy! Proud of you bro! Congrats on staying clean and being a great man for the girls in your life! 🔥🔥💯💯
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u/MrsRyan2016 Jul 22 '21
Make me cry !!! Absolutely beautiful. Your family is lucky to have you and you them :)
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u/916tesorero Jul 22 '21
Good for you homeboi! Not every man could step up to the plate and handle their father duties. Respect 💯💯💯
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u/SteamLoginFlawed Jul 22 '21
If nobody has given you your Real Man badge, here ya go.
You're a fuckin Man and Father.
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u/MrGreenyz Jul 23 '21
Your daughter is beautiful. You’re she’s Dad. Dad NEVER brakes daughters faith. Be the big boy he needs. You definitely can be.
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u/IntroMystique Jul 23 '21
Your daughter is absolutely adorable dude I hope I’ll be blessed enough to have a family one day too!
Congratulations to you and keep striving, you’re doing amazing!
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u/SweetPinkBakery Jul 23 '21
That's amazing!!! Congratulations!!! Wish you a lifetime of sobriety!!!! Wish you the best!!!!
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u/allusive_beauty Jul 23 '21
Good for you ! You were dealt a bad hand but you came out on the other side!
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u/OverturnedAppleCart3 Jul 23 '21
That's amazing. Congrats and keep it up. If not for yourself, then for your little girl.
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u/Most-Strategy4554 Jul 23 '21
Good on you man. It's about your daughter, and you get that. Be proud everyday! Every single day because your dad. The greatest thing you can do is care for your family, and your doing it bro.
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u/Dry-Historian-1345 Jul 23 '21
I’m proud of you for going to rehab and for being there for your daughter that is something they shouldn’t go unnoticed. You worked very hard to get where you are don’t stop now. 💛💛💛
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u/Tudopodemelhorar Jul 23 '21
I brought a megaloschemos of sacred trust to congratulate you guys ❤
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u/cdnBacon Jul 22 '21
This came to me with a "small successes" tag ... Which is of course a lie, because this, OP, is HUGE!
Sail on, buddy. You got this now