Day 44

My Recovery Journey: Finding Balance One Day at a Time
By Scott Young

My name is Scott Young. I’m 46 years old and currently live in a small town in Western Oregon. I’m the founder of ST Consulting, LLC—a business I started just over two years ago to help small and medium-sized companies grow and succeed.

Originally from Nampa, Idaho, I relocated to Oregon to be with my fiancée, Michelle. In the midst of all this life change, I’ve also begun walking the path of recovery—and let me tell you, it’s not easy.

I’ve attempted sobriety before, and while I’ve had some success with 12-step programs, I’ve never been able to hang on long enough for long-term recovery to truly take root. Time and again, I’ve tried to play the director of my own life, calling the shots and steering the wheel. But that hasn’t worked for me. Not even close.

Now I know—I have to surrender. I have to give my will and my life over to the care of God in order for things to fall into place the way they’re meant to.

The Four Pillars of My Recovery

My approach to recovery is grounded in four key areas of health: mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional.

I work on each of these every day, because I’ve learned that like muscles, they grow stronger with consistent attention and the right fuel. When nurtured daily, these four components start to work together in harmony—producing more growth than any one of them could alone.

This synergy is what helps me heal and build something solid and lasting.

I’m Not the “Perfect” Example—and That’s the Point

Let me be clear: I’m not an expert on sobriety. Or at least, not the kind you usually see writing blogs.

Yes, I’ve learned a lot about recovery—probably more than most people. I’ve had stints of sobriety: a year here, a couple of years there. But each time I relapsed, it hit harder, with more devastating consequences.

I’ve studied recovery obsessively for over a decade. I’ve been through jails, prisons, treatment centers, and inpatient mental health facilities. I’ve read the books, listened to the talks, and sat through the meetings. Honestly, I probably have the equivalent of a master’s degree in addiction and recovery—on top of the actual MBA I earned in 2020.

But this blog isn’t about showing you how I’ve “made it.” It’s about showing you that I’m still here—still trying, still learning, and more committed than ever to getting it right.

Understanding Addiction from the Inside

If you’re not someone who struggles with addiction, it can be hard to understand.

People ask, “Why don’t they just stop?” or “Isn’t it just a choice—drink or don’t drink?”

If only it were that simple.

Addiction rewires your brain. It alters how you think, how you feel, and what you believe is possible. Until you’ve walked a mile in an addict’s shoes, it’s almost impossible to understand what it takes to get—and stay—sober.

My hope is that by sharing my journey openly and honestly, you’ll start to understand. You’ll get a glimpse into the daily struggle, the small victories, and the ongoing fight to regain control of a life that once felt beyond repair.

Where I Am Today

As I write this, I’m on day 44 of sobriety.

I’m actively working a 12-step program. I attend meetings every day. I do reflection work and write personal inventories that I plan to share here as part of this blog.

I want you to walk this journey with me—not just so you can see the wins, but so you can understand the setbacks, too.

In 2011, I was at the top of my game—serving as a director in the telecom industry. By 2014, just three years later, I was in prison for an alcohol-related offense. I spent the next seven years in and out of the criminal justice system, trying to find my way back.

This blog is a piece of that comeback story.

If you’re struggling with addiction—or love someone who is—I hope you’ll stick around. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to be real about the fight. And maybe, just maybe, that will help you find the courage to keep fighting, too.