Interventionist and Addiction Professional

 Bryan's Biography:

I am alive today because I had family members in Illinois who loved me enough to confront my alcoholism and drug addiction. They saved my life. I knew I was dying and my world was crumbling around me; broken marriage, career loss and insurmountable legal consequences; yet I could not stop drinking! I was ashamed and disgusted with myself. Pride and shame would not let me admit to myself let alone others that I was addicted. How in the world could a prominent business executive in corporate America crumble into life centered around drugs and alcohol?  I had surrendered to my addiction and I was planning to ride it out to its deadly end. This was a lonely and frightening place to be. Left to my own devices I would have died.

Then, I was drowning in a cesspool of alcohol addiction. Today, I am very thankful to have loved ones who threw me a rope and lovingly but firmly insisted I grab a hold of it. They did this by metaphorically holding a mirror up for me to see what they have been watching. Addiction robs addicts of their lives before it kills them. They helped me see how I lost me. I was no longer the provider, the husband, or the person I wanted to be. They told me the next step would be my life. I knew they were right, but I was still resistant and argumentative because I was so afraid and full of shame. The alcohol addiction and my ego told me I could stop on my own, in spite of many failed attempts. Addiction had robbed me of sound judgment and sanity, although at the time, I could not see this. During the progression of my active disease, I had lost my right of choice, but I did not think so.

My loved ones held firm and left me no choices but to seek help.On the day my family had a professional intervention with me, I accepted treatment and I entered a hospital  to detoxify and engage into treatment. With lots of love and support, I have never had to take another drink or a drug since that time. I have reengaged back with my family. I have reengaged back into society as a whole. I have reengaged back into life with a completely new perspective. I have had the opportunity to experience life abundantly. It certainly has not been problem free, but I have never had to turn to drugs or alcohol to live through them.

Early in my recovery, I became involved with alcoholism services in Chicago. I soon graduated Saint Augustine College in addiction studies and tested for my certification as an alcohol and drug counselor. I founded two successful sober living environments in Chicago and  branched out to Peoria with another two. Additionally, I began faciltating addiction interventions. I was and still am enthralled with helping the addicted and their loved ones find help for themselves.

Realizing I needed more formal education to become more skilled and effective in my new career, I attended DePaul University, Chicago and graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Clinical/ Community Psychology. Presently, I am enrolled in the MSWprogram at the University of Illinois , Chicago School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences.

In addition to my education, I am also tightly connected to a  diverse array of developmental and clinical psychologists nationally should the need arise to discuss strategy on a case by case basis.

 I am credentialed as Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and consultant for sober living environments in Chicago.

 I am  also a member of Illinois Association of Extended Care.