From Insecurities to Methamphetamine

As a child, Diego faced the painful separation of his parents, an event that deeply affected his self-esteem and his ability to socialize. "I felt lost, like something inside me had broken," he shared during his appearance on the podcast The Joy of Living in Sobriety, hosted by psychologist Enrique Corral. 

This event, combined with the bullying he experienced in middle school, plunged him into a state of insecurity and isolation, planting the seeds of an internal struggle that would accompany him throughout much of his youth.

At 18, Diego began using methamphetamine, a habit that marked the beginning of a dark decade in his life. "I didn't see it coming," he recalls. "I thought I could handle it, but soon I realized I was falling into an abyss I couldn't escape from."

For seven years, his methamphetamine addiction had a devastating impact on his physical and emotional well-being, causing him to drift away from his family and friends and sink into a cycle of self-destruction that seemed impossible to escape.

Recognizing his problem was a pivotal moment in Diego's life. "I remember being alone, in a moment of weakness, looking at my reflection and barely recognizing the person I saw," he shared. It was in that moment of vulnerability that he admitted for the first time that he had a drug problem, and this recognition, though painful, was the first step toward his recovery.

The decision to join the therapeutic community Misión Zoe was the turning point Diego needed. "When I arrived at Misión Zoe, I didn't know what to expect, but I knew immediately that I was in the right place," he affirmed. There, he began to learn how to live again, surrounded by people who understood his struggle and were willing to support him on his journey to sobriety.

One of the most important aspects of his recovery was the connection he developed with his counselor at Misión Zoe. "He was like a beacon in the darkness," Diego said, as the trust and support he found in that relationship were crucial for his healing and personal growth, allowing him to face and overcome the challenges that addiction had left in his life.

As he progressed in his recovery, Diego worked hard to overcome the obsession with drugs. "Every day was a battle, but over time, I started to feel like I had control of my life again," he commented. This progress allowed him not only to live a fuller life but also to reconnect with aspects of himself that he had lost during the years of substance abuse.

Video calls with his family during the pandemic played a key role in his emotional reconnection process. "Seeing their faces, hearing their voices... it was a constant reminder of why it was worth continuing to fight," Diego recalled with emotion. 

These moments helped him restore the bonds that addiction had weakened, providing him with vital emotional support for his recovery.

Today, Diego has found a new purpose as a counselor at Misión Zoe. "Helping others in their recovery process reminds me of how far I've come," he stated proudly. This work not only allows him to guide those facing similar struggles but also provides him with a deep connection to his own story and a renewed sense of purpose in his life.

Diego's story is a powerful example that, with the right support and personal determination, it is possible to overcome any addiction. Through his work and his testimony, he hopes to inspire others to seek the help they need and to believe that, like him, they can find a path to sobriety and a fulfilling life.