From Alcohol to Freedom: Albi’s Unfiltered Story of Survival and Sobriety

Some recovery stories are full of quiet resilience. Others are raw, loud, and completely unfiltered. On Sobriety Uncensored, we welcome both—because every path to sobriety matters.

In this episode, Albi shares a life that began in the heart of Chicago’s gang culture, moved through years of substance abuse, and finally found a home in sobriety through faith, self-awareness, and a willingness to connect. His journey isn’t polished—it’s real. And that’s exactly why it can help someone else find the courage to keep going.

🎧 Watch my full interview with Albi in the video link below:

Early Life in Chicago – Where the Cycle Began

Albi grew up in a tough Chicago neighborhood. His parents worked long hours to provide for the family after immigrating to the U.S., leaving him and his brother to navigate their surroundings largely on their own. Those surroundings included gangs, violence, and easy access to drugs and alcohol.

By the age of 12, Albi was drinking and smoking marijuana daily. The people around him normalized substance use—getting drunk wasn’t a weekend event, it was an everyday activity. The addictive patterns formed early, reinforced by the constant pull to “fit in” with the older kids and the gang presence in the neighborhood.

Moving to Tennessee – A Change in Scenery, Not Behavior

In his mid-teens, Albi’s mom made the decision to leave Chicago, hoping to give the family a safer life. They moved to Tennessee, but safety didn’t mean sobriety.

Instead, alcohol became even easier to access. Surrounded by older friends, Albi found himself in a daily drinking routine. What felt like a fun, party-driven lifestyle in high school masked the fact that addiction was deepening. The location had changed, but the behavior—and the reasons for it—had not.

Escalation to Pills and Cocaine

Alcohol wasn’t the only substance shaping Albi’s life. His introduction to cocaine and later prescription pills took the addiction to a different level. Pills, in particular, became a turning point—what started as curiosity quickly escalated to dependence.

By his twenties, Albi’s ability to function was slipping. Jobs came and went. Relationships suffered. Even moments that should have been joyful, like the birth of his children, were clouded by intoxication. As he puts it:

“I loved my daughters, but I didn’t know how to quit.”

Losing Everything – Family, Work, and Health

Between 2015 and 2019, Albi cycled through brief periods of sobriety followed by relapses. Anxiety drove much of the return to substances—without drugs or alcohol, he felt restless, fearful, and disconnected.

His brother’s liver failure in 2018 and his cousin’s sudden disappearance in 2019 were devastating blows. When his cousin’s body was eventually found, the cause of death remained uncertain, but it was clear that addiction had taken a heavy toll. Instead of pulling back, Albi drank and used more heavily.

The Turning Point – A Prayer and a Bed in Rehab

One Sunday in 2019, at rock bottom and out of options, Albi prayed:

“God, if you’re up there, please help me.”

That same day, a rehab center he’d been calling for weeks finally told him a bed was available.

In treatment, he learned something that changed everything—how alcohol is broken down in the body. For alcoholics, by the time it leaves the system, it can chemically resemble heroin. That knowledge flipped a switch. The cravings stopped. For the first time, he believed he could rebuild his life.

Life After Rehab – New Convictions and Challenges

Leaving rehab, Albi poured himself into recovery. He attended AA, completed the steps, and found work. But as his faith deepened, he realized he wanted to go further than simply “not drinking.”

His values began to shift. He no longer wanted casual relationships or habits that conflicted with his beliefs. While this caused some disconnect with parts of the AA community, it also brought a new layer of personal accountability.

Relapse in 2024 – What It Taught Him

In April 2024, five years after his initial sobriety date, Albi relapsed—not on alcohol, but on prescription pills. It happened after his father’s surgery, when stress, availability, and old thought patterns collided.

The relapse lasted about a month. His mother noticed something was off, and that observation, combined with his own awareness, got him back into treatment quickly. He didn’t lose his job or his home—but he saw how easily he could have.

Giving Back – Helping Others Avoid the Trap

Today, Albi’s focus is on connection. He knows isolation is a dangerous place for someone in recovery. His advice is simple:

“Talk to somebody that won’t judge you… don’t be alone.”

He wants to start a YouTube channel to share his experiences, offer guidance, and encourage open conversations about addiction and recovery. In his words:

“Even if I was only talking to myself, I’d still do it—because someone out there might need to hear it.”

Key Takeaways from Albi’s Story

1. Environment shapes us, but it doesn’t define us.
Growing up in a gang-heavy neighborhood introduced Albi to addiction early, but moving to a new place showed that change requires more than location—it requires intention.

2. Relapse is a setback, not a failure.
Even after years of sobriety, Albi’s relapse taught him humility and reinforced the importance of staying connected.

3. Faith can be an anchor.
For Albi, believing that God was present in his recovery was transformative.

4. Community is non-negotiable.
Recovery is easier—and safer—when you’re not alone.

Resources for Anyone Struggling with Addiction

If Albi’s story resonates with you, know that help is out there. You can start here: