CHIPPEWA VALLEY (WQOW) – A Cadott man shares his story about kicking his addictions and dwelling a lifetime of sobriety.
“All the pieces was coming crashing down on me. And I spotted that utilizing was not the reply,” mentioned George Hite of Cadott.
Hite works as a high quality supervisor for Alloy Steel Ending in Eau Claire.
However in 2010, whereas working a distinct job, he grew to become hooked on opiates.
“I began getting plenty of migraines and a pal of mine was like, ‘Hey, you already know, I’ve received some morphine right here.'”
Then he began utilizing pharmaceutical fentanyl.
On the skin, he appeared like a standard functioning particular person. He had a very good job. He purchased a home. He had a loving spouse and two kids.
“Work was positive. I used to be working additional time. Payments have been paid,” Hite mentioned. “As soon as I misplaced my job and the payments began piling up, that is when my relationship with my oldest son began to deteriorate a bit. And I spotted one thing needed to be completed.”
It might be 5 years earlier than Hite received the assistance he wanted.
In 2015, she noticed an AODA (alcohol and different drug abuse) counselor at Mayo Clinic Well being System, who really helpful she go to an dependancy therapy program on the Hazelden Betty Ford Basis in Minnesota.
“I went there, did their 28-day program, which is unbelievable. I accomplished it, and it has been nice from there.”
It was nice, however he quickly changed his drug dependancy with meals.
In three years, Hite gained 100 kilos.
“For me, it felt like I used to be nearly utilizing my medicine once more. It was form of comforting,” Hite recalled. “I finished hanging out with my household, I finished hanging out with mates. Issues I used to do, and people have been the identical issues I did on the peak of my opiate dependancy.”
To regain management of his life and physique once more, he enrolled in Mayo’s bariatric surgical procedure program.
“He was an amazing candidate as a result of he was very motivated and keen to undergo the complete program,” mentioned Dr. Maria Linnaus, an assistant professor of surgical procedure at Mayo Clinic Well being System and a bariatric surgeon at Hite.
Dr. Linnaus mentioned that many sufferers in his program have a historical past of substance abuse.
“That price is as much as 20 or 30% really. Once they normally come to our bariatric program, that price is way decrease than they’ve an energetic dependancy, however it’s a fairly widespread factor to see,” he mentioned.
At 165 kilos now and clear of each of his addictions, the 45-year-old mentioned he is doing significantly better.
“Oh, it is fabulous. I am again with my household. I am again with my mates. I’m going out extra. My spouse and I are happening trip. My relationship with my two kids is stronger than ever.”
For these combating substance abuse, Hite mentioned the most effective factor to do is inform somebody.
Your family members cannot aid you if they do not know you might have an issue.