From Near Death to New Life: Matt’s Journey Through Alcohol Addiction and Recovery
There are stories that gently nudge you toward change—and then there are stories like Matt’s. His story doesn’t nudge. It shakes you. It’s a brutal reminder of how far alcohol dependency can take someone before they even realize how far they’ve fallen.
Whether you’re questioning your own relationship with alcohol, supporting someone who’s struggling, or just need proof that recovery is possible—this is one story you won’t forget.
In today’s Blog, we will break down my interview with Matt on the Sobriety Uncensored Podcast. Matt walked us through his deeply personal battle with alcoholism, near-death hospitalization, and the long, uncertain climb toward sobriety.
🎧 Click the link below to watch the full interview 👇🏻
The Breaking Point
A Body in Crisis
Matt’s rock bottom didn’t come with flashing lights or a dramatic scene. It came with vomiting coffee grounds—a telltale sign of internal bleeding (read more on this here)—and the realization that he hadn’t had water in over a week.
"It wasn’t even blood anymore. I just knew—I was dying."
He could barely walk. He was hallucinating. He had ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen), sepsis, colitis, pancreatitis, and the words “you might not make it” hanging unspoken in every doctor’s glance.
A Lifetime of Warning Signs
Early Exposure, Early Damage
Matt’s first drink came at just 9 years old, stealing beers from a hobo camp near the railroad tracks. By 12, he was arrested for underage drinking. But these weren’t just rebellious moments—they were the earliest signs of a long, complicated relationship with alcohol.
He lost both brothers to morphine overdoses. Other family members were battling cirrhosis. Still, Matt believed he was the exception.
From “Just a Drinker” to Daily Dependency
For years, alcohol was social. Normal. Manageable. Then came the shift—quiet and slow.
“Around 33, I remember the first time I really tried to quit. A friend showed me a photo of myself. I was bloated, red, unrecognizable. It scared me.”
Still, he didn’t stop. Not then.
Medical Consequences That Couldn’t Be Ignored
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
By the time Matt called the ambulance in 2021, his liver had taken a beating. His doctors drained seven liters of fluid from his stomach in one go. Some told him he had cirrhosis. Others said he didn’t. The confusion didn’t change the reality—his body was breaking down.
“I went from weighing 250 to 144. My body had started eating itself.”
He was diagnosed with neuropathy in both feet—a permanent condition that made walking feel like “trying to move with two numb, tingling bricks.” As a lifelong skateboarder, it stole the thing he loved most.
The Long Road Back
Learning to Live Again
After the hospital, Matt couldn’t walk. He started with a wheelchair, then a walker. Eventually, he moved to a cane.
“It was like I became an 80-year-old man overnight. I had to learn how to walk again.”
Weekly fluid drains. Protein shakes. Rebuilding muscle. Tracking every lab result, trying to make sense of confusing diagnoses and contradictory opinions.
Mental Health, Support, and Family
Throughout it all, his partner of 26 years stood by him—even while still drinking. That dynamic alone could have wrecked another relationship. But for Matt, it worked. Not because he wasn't tempted—but because he had truly made the decision.
“I had a bottle of whiskey under the sink when I first quit. Not to drink—but just to know I could. That was enough.”
He’s also been in therapy for four years, working through trauma, panic attacks, and the emotional fallout of recovery.
Sobriety Isn’t Simple—But It’s Possible
What Changed?
Matt doesn’t point to a single moment. It wasn’t divine. It wasn’t cinematic.
It was a mental shift—a quiet, certain voice that said: “If I ever drink again, I’ll die. That’s not a maybe.”
He didn’t use mocktails. Didn’t romanticize the journey. He just… stopped.
Real-Life Triggers Still Exist
He lives next door to a bar. His partner still drinks. Music—especially songs about drinking—triggered obsessive thoughts early in recovery. For three years, he couldn’t listen to music at all.
“I dream about drinking. But even in the dream, I’m sick. My body remembers the hangovers even if my brain tries to forget.”
What Matt Wants You to Know
“Get Bloodwork. Don’t Wait.”
Matt’s biggest regret? Not going to the doctor sooner. He avoided checkups out of fear—and it nearly cost him everything.
“I was scared of the results. But that fear kept me sick.”
It's Not About Being Perfect—It’s About Being Honest
Matt is launching his own podcast soon—What Alcohol Cost. He wants to help others navigate the messier parts of recovery: applying for disability, dealing with neuropathy, getting access to support.
“You don’t have to be a polished success story to help someone. You just need to be honest.”
Final Takeaways
Matt’s story isn’t about blame, shame, or a perfect Hollywood ending. It’s about what happens when you almost die… and then don’t.
It’s about:
Recognizing your body’s warning signs.
Owning your story without drowning in it.
Recovering out loud, so someone else might recover too.
He didn’t get sober to become a saint. He got sober because he didn’t want to die in front of his son.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all recovery. But there is a point where something clicks. And once it clicks, there’s no going back.”
Suggested Reading:
Table: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
| Symptom | What It Might Mean | Why You Should Act |
|---|---|---|
| Vomiting coffee grounds | Upper GI bleeding | Internal damage likely |
| Swollen stomach | Ascites (fluid buildup) | Liver is under pressure |
| Daily numbness in feet | Alcohol-related neuropathy | Nerve damage is occurring |
| Panic attacks from alcohol | Brain chemistry imbalance | Self-medicating may worsen it |
Your body has ways of signaling when something's seriously wrong—especially when alcohol is involved. Don’t ignore these red flags. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to talk to a healthcare professional. Prevention and early intervention can make all the difference.
Need Help or Want to Start Your Own Journey?
Whether you're just questioning your drinking or trying to rebuild after rock bottom, you're not alone. Explore resources, coaching, and real-life support at The Sober Strong Website.
No pressure. No judgment. Just help.
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