Paul Hosts Simply Red Fort Collins to Help Team Fort Collins With Teen Substance Abuse Prevention

I am hosting Simply Red for the new Team Fort Collins.

They produce and support programs that provides alternative to drugs and alcohol for teens. I think the man in charge, Gordon Coombes, wanted me to host because he saw my documentary, and realized that I align with the messaging they espouse.

Team Fort Collins doesn't just say "Don't abuse drugs and alcohol." They provide ideas and concrete alternatives, along with education about how we can make the most of our lives.

First, I should say that my life has been so much more enjoyable for me since I quit drinking. There is almost nothing that drinking brought me that I cannot find in the same quantities, intensity, and quality while not drinking.

Actually, let me correct that. Since I stopped getting drunk, I have been without a couple things.  Hangovers, headaches, and consistent bad decisions have eroded into my past. Intense regrets over doing things I didn’t even remember has disappeared. A sense that the only way to have fun is to get drunk has also been notably absent. I’ve been without all of that since 2009.

Team Fort Collins wanted to partner with me because they saw that when I quit drinking, I started doing everything else. I replaced the time I used to waste beating the hell out of my body with alcohol with physical pursuits. They still beat me up a little bit, but in a good way. Aches and bruises from basketball always feel better than a hangover. Soreness from a workout beats soreness from a drunken bike accident every time.

Since I quit, I have told my story many times, and in many different places. It is one of defiance. I heard the ‘Just Say No’ spiel when I was a kid. I didn’t listen.  I heard a former junkie tell his heart-wrenching story at my high school. It didn’t matter. When I was of age to hear a message like the ones being communicated to teens by Team Fort Collins and organizations like it, there was nothing anyone could have done to pull the beer from my hand.

Then, 20 years later, something shifted. I wanted to live without alcohol. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I looked for and quickly found people to help me quit. It was shocking and frightening. At the same time it was the greatest feeling I ever had in my life.

I would love to help anyone that has a substance abuse problem, but I only talk about it if they want to. I’ve been public with my recovery, so I’ve had numerous people over the years ask me to call their husband, wife, friend, brother or sister that has a perceived problem.

No chance. I don’t make the calls. The person with the problem has to make the call. They have to want the help. Otherwise, you could send the cavalry, the Navy SEALs, John Wayne and Superman, and it’s not going to do any good. Nobody can be told they need help. We have to want help. And we have to want it so bad, that we are willing to do just about anything for it.

This 'attraction rather than promotion' attitude is what allowed me to put trust in the people that helped me. They never asked me to join their club, but would allow me into it at any time. They wouldn't call me. I had to call them, but I could call anytime I wanted.

So, there are two sides to staying off of drugs and alcohol. Team Fort Collins side is to educate. They provide excellent alternatives for fun without alcohol. They teach kids that substances erode health, and it's hard to be happy when we are unhealthy. They show, that though the fruits are forbidden and experimentation feels right sometimes, especially when we are young, it's not cool to abuse anything.

The other side is for people like me. That is, the types that don't listen to warnings, and find our way to the problems that abuse causes, and then need help getting out. Good news, help exists in spades.

I am so happy to be working with Team Fort Collins, because I know we can reach some kids with this valuable message. I know we won't reach them all, but for those we don't reach, I hope to let them know that if they decide to use, and it turns into abuse, there is still a way out. There is always a way out.