Uncover to Recover

by Mark D. Gobert

How fitting that it’s on Mother’s Day that I am writing this blog to share some of my recovery story. My mother has been the most consistent, persistent, loving, supportive, and loudest cheerleader in my life next to the God of my understanding. And it’s with a heavy heart yet profound spiritual push, sort of bittersweet, that I have decided to answer this call and write while currently working on my recovery book “Uncover to Recover.” My mother currently bears the plight of so many others suffering with dementia. She will never be able to read this or my book.

Yet because of her relentless drive to help me uncover my talents, ambitions, and creativity all while in a clean and sober state of mind, to become a man who can contribute to humanity more than receive is my unapologetic call to purpose.

One day while scrolling social media aware that my 22 years in recovery were approaching, the thought came: “Wow, I now believe I have the same number of years clean and sober as the number of treatment centers I entered.” Cedar House by far is the one that laid a recovery foundation for me, and it would often become a reference point that God used to guide me during some of my darkest moments. I then found Cedar House’s webpage and was shocked to see it looked the same.

My eyes began to tear as the younger version of myself could now feel the love that was impossible to receive back then, with an understanding and revelation that I am still here and so is Cedar House. To show my support as an alumnus, I simply replied to one of its posts and wrote what I hope to be a supportive review from what I remember as a client. Shockingly, a week later I received an email asking whether I would be interested in telling my story on their blog. So, my commitment to this mission felt even more real.

As a young adult entering Cedar House, I was no stranger to treatment. I had already completed one as a young sailor, and the support from the Navy made it possible for me to even know that such help existed. My family struggled with comprehending my bizarre addictive behaviors compared to my focused and ambitious zest for life and success when sober. Eventually, I found support from my cousin who worked at Cedar House and recommended it to me. By this time, I had survived my first suicide attempt and was in my second round of alcohol withdrawals, bouncing from hospital to hospital.

When I drank alcohol, I guzzled it and went straight for hard, cheap alcohol like Cisco, Thunderbird, Mad Dog, Old English malt liquor just to name a few. By then I was drinking a

minimum of two pints daily, or whenever I could get my hands on it. In addition, I was struggling with bulimia disorder and had been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia.

From the assessment process to detox and treatment, I experienced a “we will love you until you learn to love yourself” level of care that seemed unique for what I thought was just another hospital. It was my first introduction to the 12-step program, which served as a major foundation of the treatment alongside clinical professionals. They did not undermine the virtues of such a powerful program; quite the opposite, they used their skills to help me understand that while treatment opens the door, recovery is what sustains us.

That was my first introduction to the fellowship of AA and NA, and to this date, I will never forget the everlasting impact of Father Martin’s “Chalk Talk” and his lectures on values. Through H&I panels and conversations with residents who simply “got me,” I found a community that understood a shared plight rather than wanting to rehash the shame. Seeing all genders, races, and ages sharing a common bond gave me hope for the first time, yet it also brought a huge sense of fear. I struggled with the conflict of feeling connected while my mind told me this could work for others, but that I was “too messed up” for it to stick. I repeated this experience at Cedar House three times within two years. Each time I grew first staying sober for one month, then four months, and finally reached nine months of sobriety.

Each setback forced me to reflect on how I could connect to a spiritual program yet struggle with the practical application of making it transformational. What followed was a years-long rollercoaster journey that a single blog cannot fully capture, which is why I am currently working on a book. I faced two more suicide attempts, two years of homelessness on the streets of Hollywood, and the wreckage of toxic connections that sent me seeking help across different cities and states.

Yet, the seeds of recovery, not just sobriety, planted by Cedar House were so powerful that they allowed me to tap into what was possible. Even when I reached the end of my hope and yelled at God in anger, “You are full of s***! You cannot be love and allow hate to exist at the same time. What do You want from me?”

In that moment, I surrendered. I told Him, “Fine, I will work this stupid 12-step mess because I keep hearing You say to do it. I’ll do as suggested, and then I am done.” I was okay with dying because, at that point, living was way harder than existing.

So, here I am, close to turning 56 with over 22 years in recovery as of April 4, 2026. During this time, I was able to give back to Cedar House and other programs. Early in my recovery, I graduated from San Bernardino Valley College with an AA in Human Services and Alcohol and Drug Studies, then began working at the Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Program, specifically Gibson House for Men.

Professionally, I’ve spent 30 years in behavioral health across many modalities, obtaining credentials as an Internationally Certified Clinical Supervisor (ICCS), an Internationally Certified Criminal Justice Professional (ICCJP), an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC), and a National Certified Addiction Counselor II (NCAC-II). I also have specialized training in Moral Recognition Therapy, CBT, Prime for Life, and Seeking Safety. Right now, I am celebrating a 4.0 GPA, graduating summa cum laude with my BA in Psychology from American Military University. I am also a member of Pi Gamma Mu and the International Honor Society. I am currently awaiting my conferred date of June 1, 2026, and I plan to celebrate at my commencement ceremony.

On the flip side, just three weeks ago, I was in urgent care with a blood pressure of 201 over 137. It was discovered by a wonderful dentist while evaluating me for implants. Additionally, at ten years of sobriety, I went from 150 pounds to 293 due to several back-to-back experiences with grief and loss.

Now at 220 pounds, I am finally facing the recovery call once again. I am entering a second phase focused on physical recovery through health, nutrition, and exercise. I mention this because there is no recovering without uncovering. Addiction is so bad that it does not require an “s” on the end, nor does it care what the activity or the choice of substance is.

I mention this because addiction is found in the rhythm of our thinking long before a substance is ever involved. It lives in the way we seek worth, the manipulative soliciting of socialization through others, and the masks we wear just to be heard, to be seen and to feel safe. For me, recovery is a spiritual lifestyle rooted in virtues created by God and nurtured by the Holy Spirit. The practical application I found in 12 Steps, but make no mistake, God is the owner, and I am just the one showing up for the work.

Addiction is more than a substance, and recovery is more than treatment. It is ongoing work as a lifestyle. Simply put, it is the style in which I strive to live by. So, on this Mother’s Day, I am grateful for the drive she instilled in me to keep uncovering the man I was meant to be. This recovery process has taught me that my purpose is not for me to create but rather discover.

I truly appreciate Cedar House for asking me to share a small part of this remarkable ongoing journey. My hope is that anyone reading this can muster enough courage and open-mindedness to seek help. If this helps even one person, it makes my journey worth it, because life is worth it, and your life is worth it!

Author’s Note and Disclaimer:

The views expressed here are my own and reflect my personal lived experiences; they are not intended to represent the official positions of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or any 12-step fellowship. Furthermore, these opinions are shared in my personal capacity and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or endorsement of the Department of Defense, any federal agency, or the U.S. Government.

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What Happens in Residential Addiction Treatment? A Cedar House Step-By-Step Guide

A Step-by-Step Guide to Residential Addiction Treatment

By 7000873882 • April 1, 2026

Learn what happens in residential addiction treatment step-by-step, from detox to therapy and recovery planning at Cedar House Life Change Center.

Missing One Christmas to Gain a Lifetime

By 7000873882 • March 13, 2026

In 2009, everything changed for Preston with a single accident. What began with prescription pain medication after a dirt bike injury slowly spiraled into a heroin addiction that would take hold of his life for years. But one decision made just days before Christmas would change everything. The Road to Addiction After a dirt bike accident in 2009 left him injured, doctors prescribed pain pills to manage the pain. At first, it seemed harmless, but like many people during the opioid crisis, the prescription slowly turned into dependence. By 2012, when prescription pills became harder to get, someone at work offered a cheaper alternative. “They said, ‘I can get you something better and cheaper,’” he remembers. “You try it first, and then they tell you it’s heroin. I was like, ‘I don’t do heroin.’ And they said, ‘Yeah… you do now.’” From 2012 to 2015 heroin addiction took hold of his life. The people around him were using too, and the lifestyle became normal. Eventually everything began to fall apart. “I remember looking in a drawer one day and realizing there was nothing left—just pencils and random stuff. Nothing of value. That’s when it really hit me how empty my life had become.” A Christmas Turning Point In December 2015, just days before Christmas, he finally reached a breaking point. “I told my mom I was fed up. I said, ‘Let’s figure this out. I need help.’” He found Cedar House Life Change Center and entered detox on December 16, 2015. Originally, he planned to stay only the required seven days. But recovery rarely begins smoothly. One night during detox he woke up and asked to use the phone. “I called everyone in my family and told them I hated them because they wouldn’t come pick me up. I didn’t want to be stuck there for Christmas.” The next morning his counselor called him into her office. What she told him that day stayed with him. “If you stay,” she told him, “You’ll miss this one Christmas, but you won’t have to miss all the other Christmases.” Lessons That Stuck His counselor shared another lesson he still carries today. She explained that life is like a backpack. If you throw a bunch of heavy stones into it all at once, you won’t be able to walk. Just like if you try to tackle all of life’s problems at once, you won’t get very far. But if you add just a few metaphorical stones each day and deal with just the issues you can handle, you can keep moving forward and progressing in life. Those simple ideas – taking life one day at a time and not carrying more than you can handle – became powerful tools in his recovery. Although he had entered Cedar House only for detox, his counselor secured three additional days in residential treatment across the hall. At the time he admits he still planned to use again when he left. But during those extra days, something shifted. At a recovery panel he heard a man speak about rebuilding trust with his mother after years of addiction. Preston could relate to that experience of taking advantage of his mom. Hearing him talk about earning her trust back made him realize that was possible for him, too. Rebuilding a Life He left Cedar House the day after Christmas, and his mom picked him up. On the drive home they stopped for food and talked about what came next. With guidance from his counselor, he made a list of everything addiction had taken away from him. Then he began slowly taking those things back. He started spending time with family again, accepting invitations, going to the river, and rebuilding relationships that had been strained by addiction. “You can’t lie to the mirror,” he says. “At the end of the day, you have to do this for yourself.” There were still challenges ahead – court dates, fines, and apologies to make. At one point a judge even rejected a handwritten apology letter he had written, crumpling it up in front of him and telling him it needed to be more sincere. So, he wrote it again. A Future Restored Recovery opened doors he never imagined. He began working in the oil fields in Montana, working one week on and one week off. During that time, he met the woman who would become his wife, and together they built a family with five children. He later returned to California, regained custody of his two older children, and continued rebuilding his life. Six years after leaving Cedar House, he returned to work with Teamsters Local 166 as an inspector on a military base. Today he is proud of the life he has rebuilt and grateful for the second chance he was given. “If I could help even one more person, it would be worth it,” he says. “I wouldn’t wish that life on my worst enemy.” Looking back, he believes the challenges he faced helped shape the person he is today. “Without those struggles, I wouldn’t be who I am now.”

A Mother's Love

By 7000873882 • February 12, 2026

There is nothing quite as powerful as a mother’s love. From the moment her son was born, Sereeta knew she would do everything she could to protect him. She had already experienced the heartbreak of losing her children once, and she was determined never to feel that pain again. Sereeta’s struggle with addiction began at the age of 19. She entered treatment and remained sober for six years, building a life she was proud of. But everything changed when she became a victim of domestic violence. The abuse eventually led to her losing custody of her five children -- a loss that shattered her world and led to relapse. “I could not get away from him. He would try to control me.” Desperate to escape the violence, Sereeta left and began living on the streets. She slept near a shopping center, searching for safety and resources wherever she could find them. One day, at a charity donations center, a woman noticed her and offered help. That connection led Sereeta to Cedar House, where she sought treatment for methamphetamine and marijuana addiction, and where her life began to change. “I knew I wanted a change but didn’t know how.” Years of trauma and loss had taken a toll. Sereeta struggled with anger and didn’t yet know how to process the pain she carried. What surprised her most was the compassion she encountered at Cedar House. Staff members didn’t give up on her. They believed in her, even when she struggled to believe in herself. “I saw that different people had hope in me.” Just one week after arriving at Cedar House, Sereeta was hospitalized. Over the next three weeks, she remained in close contact with staff, calling regularly for reassurance. “I didn’t want to lose my son. I didn’t want to feel that pain again.” After an eight-hour surgery and a blood transfusion, Sereeta gave birth to a healthy baby boy. But the next day, a police officer and social worker arrived at her hospital room with the devastating news that she would not be taking her baby home. Four days later, Sereeta returned to Cedar House with 34 surgical staples, deep emotional wounds, and a renewed determination. “That’s when I believe my journey started. I was fighting for that little boy. I never fought so hard for anything in my life.” The first month was difficult. Sereeta continued to wrestle with anger, grief, and the trauma of her past. “The first month was hard. It was a battle for me.” Over six months at Cedar House, Sereeta did the work. She achieved sobriety, learned healthy ways to manage her anger, and began rebuilding her faith. “I didn’t realize God had something else in store for me. I just had to trust in the process.” After completing treatment, Sereeta transitioned into other supportive housing. Slowly, she began having overnight visits with her son. On August 22, those visits became extended stays. On September 5, she was granted full custody of her baby boy. Today, Sereeta is a full-time Civic Engagement Specialist for a charitable foundation. She lives in her own apartment with her son and spends every other weekend with all of her children. “I have established leadership skills, budgeting skills, and learned how to be a productive member of society as a mother.” Looking back, Sereeta speaks of the “true, honest support” she found at Cedar House. The love and care she received from staff, and even something as simple as an Acceptance Prayer, carried her through moments when she felt overwhelmed. “If it wasn’t for Cedar House, I would still be traumatized by the domestic violence. The staff members showed me love like I’ve never been shown before.” Sereeta’s story is one of resilience, healing, and the power of believing in someone until they can believe in themselves. It is a testament to what is possible when compassion meets commitment, and when a mother is given the support she needs to fight for her future and her family.