Real People. Real Recovery.
“From the initial assessment to graduation-commencement, I felt welcomed, safe, loved and supported.”
— Patient
“Having battled addiction myself and lost a son to this disease, I support the work of Dilworth Center and am so grateful it is there not only to help the addict/alcoholic but the whole family. What an excellent, incredible resource in our community.”
— Board Member
“Dilworth Center is a welcoming, professionally run community for anyone seeking help with substance abuse for themselves or for family members.”
— Referrer
“Thanks to Dilworth Center, my life is vastly different from what it once was.”
My name is Kaushal, and I am an addict and an alcoholic. Growing up in the South as a first-generation American, I never felt comfortable in my own skin. I struggled to live life on life’s terms, often escaping into television, food, and fantasy.
I romanticized alcohol long before I took my first drink, believing it would help me fit in. In college, I quickly sought out alcohol, and Everclear became my go-to escape. I lacked control and often drank to excess, leading to dangerous situations. After a near-drowning incident, my friends staged an intervention, and I agreed to stop drinking for a semester. But when I started again, the same destructive cycle resumed.
I eventually pledged a fraternity and studied abroad, where my drinking escalated. I also discovered Adderall, which allowed me to party and study just enough to get by. Despite the chaos, I made it into medical school and obtained an Adderall prescription to cope. But deep down, I knew I was struggling.
Part of me recognized I pursued medical school to make it acceptable to be gay, while another part was self-sabotaging. Ultimately, I managed to derail my life while struggling with board exams, earning an “MD” at a very high cost. My dream of becoming a physician slipped away— another consequence of my disease.
As my drinking and drug use continued to worsen, I met my wonderful partner, Scott. He saw my rapid decline and was deeply concerned. I tried therapy but couldn’t maintain sobriety. After hitting rock bottom, I attended a Zoom meeting for Alcoholics Anonymous, where I first heard the 9th Step Promises. I managed seven months of sobriety before relapsing.
Unfortunately, I relapsed but came back to the program and picked up a white chip. I had to cancel a trip with my cousins and Scott because I was not in a good place, which deeply concerned them. I confessed everything to my family, and they suggested I needed more help. Reluctantly, I agreed to an intake assessment at the Dilworth Center, where the results showed I would benefit from Intensive Outpatient Treatment.
During my first lecture, I received recovery materials and met a group of guys with whom I could show up authentically. Some of those from my Level 1 small group remain in contact, while others have tragically lost their battle with this disease—a sobering reminder of the stakes involved. I continued with Outpatient Treatment and then with Relapse Prevention Therapy, which helped me dig deeper into my triggers and cycles.
Today, my life is vastly different from what it once was. I have returned to school to pursue a Master’s in Health Administration, and I am much healthier now than when I was using and drinking. Working the Steps has allowed me to become a contributing member of society, engaging in estimable acts daily.
Notably, in November 2024, my partner unexpectedly passed away. I found him at home and called 911, then informed his parents about their son’s death. During this tragic time, I chose not to drink; instead, I attended meetings and reached out to a friend to sit with me. The gift of the program is that I am learning to live life on life’s terms, even when I struggle with the cards I’m dealt. Today, I work with sponsees and attend recovery meetings, as someone trying to stay sober and clean, taking it one day at a time.
“I highly recommend investing your time in a program built for success and surrounded with kindness like Dilworth Center.”
— Alumnus
“Addiction doesn’t discriminate, and it’s important that we have resources for anyone looking for help. The Dilworth Center is that resource, and has been the most rewarding organization I’ve had the privilege to be a part of. The compassion and professionalism they exhibit in caring for each client is unmatched.”
— Board Member
“Dilworth Center started a very important journey that continues today, one day at a time.”
Harrison, you were a patient in Dilworth Center’s Young Adult Program. What was going on in your life that led you to seek treatment at Dilworth Center?
The day before I entered treatment, in 2021, I had a near death experience. 911 was called after I overdosed. I told my parents “I do not want to die! I’m ready for help!” I was having constant blackouts and life consequences from my drug and alcohol abuse. I was experiencing great shame and turmoil in all of my relationships.
My physical health was concerning with constant GI problems, huge weight fluctuations and always feeling sick. I was having severe mood swings and feeling paranoid all the time. I was borderline suicidal. I had a great job but could not keep up with my bills because all of my money was going to drugs and alcohol. I was using and manipulating my mother as my “bank”.
What was treatment like? What important tools did you learn?
Treatment was a happy, safe and educational space that provided structure, knowledge and healthy relationships so I could transition into sobriety. I gained lifelong friends who understand the disease of alcoholism and still offer me support today. Tools learned included effective communication, boundary setting, honesty, authenticity, independence, self-control and dignity for myself and others.
Looking back since you ‘graduated’ what does Dilworth Center mean to you?
“Home”, safety, acceptance…..the place where I was given space to “breathe”, learn and grow into my best self. Dilworth Center started a very important journey that continues today, one day at a time. The counselors there will always be very special people as my time with them truly saved my life.
What would you tell someone considering getting help for addiction?
If you are in Charlotte, Dilworth Center is the best place to be! They will help you get involved with AA meetings where you can focus on the similarities you see and hear. Listen carefully and find a meeting that you can relate to. You are a product of your environment so it is important to surround yourself with others who are trying to be sober.
What does recovery mean to you?
My recovery means everything to me and would not have been possible if not for the time at Dilworth Center and my parents’ support. Treatment here literally saved my life! My parents were very active in Dilworth Center’s Family Program which was monumentally important to my sobriety. It was crucial for them to understand the nature of this disease and how to communicate and interact with me effectively. My parents would say they learned how to care for themselves while I learned to take care of myself. My relationship with my parents prior to treatment at Dilworth Center was non-existent. Now I actually like them! Thank you all for your support of my two-plus years of sobriety!
Mr. and Mrs. Holton, can you describe your experience as parents of someone in treatment?
There is no known earthly value we can place on Harrison’s recovery! Before involving ourselves in Dilworth Center’s family program we thought we had lost our son forever. It was devastatingly painful to watch all the potential he was wasting – and possibly his LIFE!
We never dreamed we would have the amazing relationship we have with Harrison today! None of this would have been possible without the presence of God and the treatment he received at Dilworth Center! Thank you for all you did for us and what you continue to do in the Charlotte community.
“While our loved ones meet – three times a week – we’re invited to meet in the Family Group. Many of us have been living in isolation so processing our experiences together offers a recovery of camaraderie. Naming our anger, resentment, worry, and fear releases us for a bit. Regularly hearing ourselves and each other begins to soften our judgment. Sharing what works shifts our focus to the possible and positive. Encouraging each other nurtures our compassion – for each other in the giving, for ourselves in the receiving. The disease doesn’t go away. Slowly, over time, our perspective and behaviors begin to change.”
— Family Member
“Dilworth Center in Charlotte is a welcoming, professionally-run community for anyone seeking help with substance abuse for themselves or for family members.”
— Faith M
“Dilworth Center laid the foundation for my recovery. It’s an amazing place.”
— Alumnus Michael B
Alumnus Michael B. connected with Dilworth Center’s Key Club while still a patient. “I found the alumni recovery meeting to be very helpful. I learned a lot about the experience, strength and hope of people who are ahead of me on a similar journey. It was reassuring to learn that it’s okay to be intimidated and the best thing I ever did for my recovery was reach out to accept the hand of an alumni being extended to me.”
The alumni recovery meeting is a great way for every patient and alumnus to take full advantage of their Dilworth Center experience. For Michael, the meetings allow him an opportunity to be of service to a place that helped him in early sobriety. Alumni play a critical role by providing patients with firsthand knowledge about what it is like to complete treatment and integrate back into normal day life.
“Alumni helped me connect with AA meetings and eventually I found my sponsor through help and suggestions from the group,” remarked Michael. Alums are also encouraged to volunteer to speak to current patients individually or on alumni panels to assist recent graduates about their experience and share their experience, strength and hope. ‘In a time of uncertainty, talking with an alumni who was a bit further down the road of recovery than me was very reassuring,” said Michael.
“The group gave me the opportunity to be honest, and to also receive that honesty back. Part of my success in recovery today comes from me participating in that group – first as a patient, and now as an alumni with experience, strength and hope to share.”
