Thomas Sanchez

"You can’t do wrong, right!" I heard this countless times during my treatment at Grandview. Looking back, I see how true it is. I had spent years justifying my choices, which led me into a cycle of crime and addiction.

Before treatment, I was in the marijuana business long before it was legal. I had money, a beautiful wife, and the freedom to do as I pleased. I equated wealth with happiness, but inside, I was miserable. Despite a seemingly perfect life, I turned to drinking and drugs, seeking anything to escape my emotional despair.
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I felt lost and like a failure. This culminated in a suicide attempt that landed me in Costa Mesa Hospital for three weeks. Afterward, I tried various treatment programs along the coast, but I continued to use, until someone suggested the Grandview Foundation.

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At Grandview, I encountered counselors who equipped me with tools to change my life. I remember breaking down in a class when they kept asking, “Who are you?” I struggled to answer and eventually left treatment. I moved in with someone I met at a meeting, but without a solid recovery plan, I relapsed.

​Realizing I needed help, I reached out to Grandview again and was welcomed back. This time, I was determined to embrace change. The Executive Director’s unwavering support was new to me; she helped me connect with my family, leading to my sister calling me to say, “Thomas, we love you, and we’ve got your back.” I’d only ever heard that from friends, so it meant the world.

Feeling loved made a difference. I understood I couldn’t do this alone. At Grandview, I wanted to change. I was reminded that there were no shortcuts in treatment, that it was going to be challenging, and that I should be open to the changes that were coming. In that moment, I decided to commit to change, and I focused on my recovery, working through the 12 Steps and participating in Celebrate Recovery. I discovered joy in sobriety and found purpose in helping others.

Thanks to Grandview, I moved to Arizona to be near my family. Today, I own a home, a tattoo studio, and a contracting business. I’m in a loving relationship, and together, we aim to provide sober living homes for those new to recovery.

None of this would have been possible without the foundation of sobriety I built at Grandview and my faith in God. I urge anyone struggling with addiction to seek their higher power and, more importantly, to find themselves beyond just their name.

I am Thomas Sanchez, in recovery. I am a father, a grandfather, a business owner, and I surround myself with sober friends and family. This is what recovery looks like for me.

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