For the last two years, Stacey Price’s life has been void of substances, as he navigates the road to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. It’s been a journey full of small, celebratory milestones that began at Monarch’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Office in Raleigh.
Stacey learned about Monarch’s services during his time at a non-medical detox and emergency shelter in Wake County, prompting him to take another step in ridding his life of substances and bettering his mental health.
Price was ready to make the lifestyle changes that involved habits that were formed when he was just 19 years old.
“I want[ed] to take advantage of everything that’s possible for me, to help me to be a better person and to just discover new things about me that I haven’t really looked into yet,” said Price.
This led Stacey to his Care Manager, Rosa Pulley Bryant. She has been Stacey’s first point of contact at Monarch, guiding him through the recovery and therapy process.
Stacey felt comfortable from their first interaction, feeling as if the two had known one another for years as he opened up about what his life was like and where he wanted it to be in the future.
Through the assistance of Pulley and Monarch, sobriety has been a constant in Stacey’s life and he’s continued to prioritize his mental health.
When Pulley’s schedule began to fill up with patients, she offered a change in managers to offer a more consistent schedule. Price refused, providing a ringing endorsement of Pulley’s and Monarch’s treatment.
“I said, ‘Miss Rosa, as long as I got breath in my body, you’re going to be a part of my life.’ I don’t want nobody else to counsel me or to talk to me. I’m so comfortable with her. That’s where I’m at. I love Miss Rosa.”
Rosa has been a backbone for Stacey and was a major proponent of him reaching a monumental milestone to start the new year: getting a car.
On New Year’s Eve, through Wheels 4 Hope, Stacey became the owner of a Scion, helping him continue his drive on the road to recovery.
An important part of Stacey’s rehabilitation was altering his mindset to enjoy the quiet and uneventful moments instead of seeking extracurricular activities, which powered his substance use and mental health issues.
“I’ve learned the difference between being bored and being at peace. When I was bored, when I was in my addiction, it was because I had nothing to do. I wanted to do something,” said Price. “Now, when I’m sitting here, when nothing is going on, I can just bask in my peace because all the turmoil and all the riffraff and all the ups and downs, it’s still going to come, but I’ve learned to deal with it a lot better.”
While Stacey’s journey has included possessing a new vehicle, finding peace and rebuilding his life, the most rewarding part about abstaining from substance use and focusing on his mental health has been his relationship with his children.
“It’s like our relationship is brand new, but they enjoy seeing me and I love being around them,” said Price. “… Every day, I get a text from my son, ‘Dad, have a blessed day,’ ‘I love you,’ ‘Enjoy your day.’ It’s something different every day, but I’ve been getting it for the last two or three months. To wake up and see a text like that after all the things I put them through, man.”
Stacey is content with where his life currently stands but knows that things can always get better and there are always improvements to be made. And now, he’s not only focused on continuing his growth and success but wants to share his story with those who share the same struggles.
“When things start to turn around for you, it’s your programs that you’re in that are starting to make it work, because they’re making you a better person. All you gotta do is just follow the game plan, just follow the road map. It’s already written out for you. Just follow it,” said Price. “If you stick to the plan, that old shell of you will start to crumble, and the new you will come out [and] you’ll be a lot better.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, professional help is available. Monarch offers a range of services to address behavioral health and substance use disorders. Contact Monarch at (866) 272-7826 to connect with a therapist who can help.