Local

'It affects everybody': Recovering addict shares struggle during holiday season

By Elsa Gillis
By Elsa Gillis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte resident is sharing his story with drug addiction during the time of year he said can be the most difficult.

As many join with their families and kick off their holiday season, there are many among struggling and need support.

"I knew that if I didn't change what I was doing, that I probably wouldn't be around much longer," Bryan Licsko said.

[ALSO READ: 9 Investigates: Local group works to revolutionize how high school addicts are educated]

Today, Bryan Licsko is a little over two years in long term recovery.  But it was a dark and long journey to get there.

"Many, many years of alcoholism, which eventually led into a opioid addiction, which is the best and worst thing that ever happened to me."

He opened up to Channel 9 about his battle and his struggle to hide it from those he loved until the moment it took a turn.

"Luckily enough a little over two years ago, my wife sat me down and said 'what's going on?'"

Licsko began a detox and intensive outpatient program with Atrium Health and continues to seek help today.

"It affects everybody, it has no discriminations, rich, poor, women, men, young, old, it does not matter," Addiction Psychiatrist Dr. William Wright says.

[ALSO READ: Officers, schools start to carry overdose reversal drug after increase in teenage opioid abuse]

Dr. Wright and Licsko say this time of year is particularly difficult, between the parties, cost of the holidays, and family, or lack thereof.

"The question becomes how do you deal with that," Licsko shared, "how do you continue your sobriety and work through those issues?"

Licsko says he's speaking about his journey now, to help those still struggling.

[ALSO READ: ‘It brought us to tears': Recovering addict anonymously treats EMT workers to breakfast]

"There are just so many people out there that are addicted, they know they're addicted, they're scared, they don't know what to do."

"The more we talk about it, the more we get it out there as far as being comfortable in talking about people having issues with substance problems, the more we recognize and see the human side of this disease, because it is a disease," says Dr. Wright.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

Cox Media Group

Most Read