Orsey and Josie standing smiling

 

It was a very beautiful life until I tore it apart.

Orsey Hendrix

Orsey Hendrix’s lifestyle quickly became working, drinking, going to bed. After his mother passed away, he began indulging in cocktails more frequently. He said instead of dealing with issues that everyone must work through in life, he turned to alcohol.

“I didn’t realize how it affected my family until one day my wife sat me down and said, ‘This is a problem. You’re being cruel and mean.’ But while I was drinking, I didn’t even think about it. It didn’t bother me. It went in one ear and out the other,” Hendrix said.

What was meant to be a joyful celebration at his youngest granddaughter’s first birthday, Hendrix hit rock bottom. He joined the party after a few cocktails and was thrown in the pool.

“I got angry,” Hendrix said. “When you’re an alcoholic you never know where your mental state is going to go because you don’t have control of it.”

Hendrix went upstairs and headed for his pistol. His wife Josie fought with him until she grabbed hold of the gun, put it to her head and said, “I’ll hurt myself before you hurt anybody else.” As Hendrix pushed the gun away, the gun went off.

He called 911 and said she tried to commit suicide.

“He still wasn’t getting it,” Josie said.

Hendrix woke up the next morning to an empty house and a phone call from Josie asking him to get himself together and reflect on how alcohol has affected him.

“Not only did I realize I was not invincible. I was broken,” Hendrix said. “I needed someone to help me fix myself so I can be the man I was before allowing alcohol to take over my life.”

Hendrix went to his doctor and said he had a problem with alcoholism. She referred him to Murrieta Behavioral Health’s dual diagnosis program. The 12-step based program is designed for patients who have both mental illness and an alcohol or drug addiction. The 8-week program taught Hendrix how to work through anger, rejection, and coping mechanisms.

“I’ll never forget Orsey. His energy was palpable as far as how much remorse and guilt he was dealing with,” Mielad Owraghi, lead clinical therapist said. “We physically see the transformation in patients when they go all in.”

Hendrix hasn’t had a drop of alcohol in a year and a half. He attends Alcoholics Anonymous weekly to assist his journey and help others.

“I realize I’m an alcoholic and I work on it daily,” Hendrix said. “I realized how beautiful my life is and I don’t want to go back to where it was.

Josie feels like she got back who she fell in love with. She says you can change; you just have to work for it and want it.

Hendrix’s story was celebrated at Seeds of Hope. Read more about the event here. For more information on the event or ways to contribute to the cause, visit Seeds of Hope.