CREATIVES IN RECOVERY
We asked these clean and sober individuals with various lengths of recovery time about what it’s like being a creative professional in recovery
THE MIRACLE
“I’m a celebrity wardrobe stylist. I not only style celebrities, but I also style people in general. I actually found my voice creatively in sobriety. I always wanted to go down this path. I always felt like I had so much creative energy, which I believe is God’s gift, but because of drugs and alcohol, I never cultivated it. It wasn’t until five years into my sobriety that my thoughts were like, ‘I want to start styling people professionally.’ I was kind of in the closet. And finally, I did it, and I was so grateful that recovery allowed that to come out. I couldn’t have imagined this for myself. It wasn’t until I finally started doing the work in sobriety, that there was action behind it. I met with other sober people who were styling and they gave me directions and suggestions. I started in retail and that was super hard. I had to go back to basics, and start over and I worked my way up. And I’ve done amazing things. I’ve styled drag queens on TV shows. I’ve styled people on red carpets. I’ve done movies. I’ve done so many things. They always say in sobriety, don’t leave before the miracle happens and you’re gonna build a life beyond your wildest dreams here. And I really feel like I’ve done that.”
—Mandoh, sober since July 4, 2014.
EGO IN CHECK
“I’m a performer, singer and actor and I’m a hairstylist as well. Before I got sober, I was undisciplined. In sobriety I’m a lot more focused and I’m present. I’m not showing up with a hangover and I’m not showing up while I’m coming down from being high, so my product is at a higher quality and at a higher standard. I keep my ego in check by remembering that what I think is the most perfect and beautiful thing in the world, might be the ugliest and most imperfect thing someone else had ever seen. Recovery teaches us to be authentic. Being real with other people saves me a lot of trouble later on. I knew I would eventually get sober. It was a matter of being done. Sobriety seems to be working for me, so why not stick to something that’s working. I feel more attractive as a sober person than as a non-sober person and people can define that however they want, because it applies in many ways.”
—Alfonzo Chavez, sober since December 6, 2016.
CLEAR MINDED
“I’m a fashion designer. I’m a bridal designer and celebrity tailor in Los Angeles. Today I get to suit up and show up every day for my life and my creativity. I have learned what I don’t want from being sober and creative, which gets me closer to what I do want. I feel substance abuse really blocked me from really understanding what I wanted. Being sober, I get a lot of inspiration from being of service to people around me and asking my Higher Power for direction on the daily. When I stay in meditation, and I’m calm, the answers come. When I did drugs and alcohol, I couldn’t be still. I always had noise inside my head. In recovery, I have peace and serenity, so I’m able to see what’s in front of me and what I really want. What am I producing as an artist? What is the story I’m trying to tell? In the beginning, I didn’t think it was possible. I didn’t get back into my field right away, because I didn’t think I could produce work as a sober creative, but I’m actually producing better work because I’m clear minded and my emotions are stable throughout the day.”
—Nathan Adams, sober since July 3, 2018
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