Sober dad was on the brink of a rash decision when he got 2 voice notes. It was the 'notification' that saved his life
'I’m really proud of you for staying there even though it’s really hard and really tricky.'
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of substance abuse that some readers may find distressing.
Eli Portnoy, a 41-year-old struggling with alcohol and substance abuse, has credited his daughters, especially their voice notes, for overcoming his addiction, according to ITV News on December 19. The dad was receiving treatment at Delamere, a rehab clinic in Cheshire, for alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drug misuse when he decided to leave during an emotional moment. However, it was his daughters who forced him to continue his treatment and get out of rehab as a better human being, particularly as a dad to his kids. Interestingly, they didn't do this by begging him to stay. Instead, their words shone through as the single support system Portnoy needed in his worst moments.
Portnoy, an entrepreneur, had made up his mind about leaving his treatment halfway; in fact, he'd informed the staff also that he wanted to leave the rehab. “My wife and kids were only 30 minutes away. Everyone was talking about ordering a takeaway, and I didn’t know why I was there,” he told ITV News. However, that's when he received a heartbreaking voice message from his daughters, which made him decide against it, and eventually saved his life. Both his daughters didn't shy away from expressing their love for the daddy-dearest, and even motivated him to quit drinking. "I'm really proud of you, and I just wanted you to know that I love you. I really want you to stay there so that you can be a better daddy, and you don’t need to drink."
She also mentioned how she wanted Portnoy to return home and spend some quality time with his family. His other daughter said she missed him a lot, but was ready to stay away from her daddy for a bit longer because she knew the rehab was only beneficial for him. "I’m really proud of you for staying there even though it’s really hard and really tricky. We love you," the daughter added.
Portnoy had entered rehab in 2023 after his sister suggested he seek help. In fact, his condition was so bad that his brother had asked him to stay away from his kids until he overcame his addiction. Finally, it was around Christmas when he himself realized his addiction was getting out of control. While his family travelled for a vacation to Disney World, he decided to check into Delamere. "Addiction makes you selfish, and I couldn’t face ruining another family holiday," Portnoy confessed.
His time in rehab made him reflect on the impact he had on his kids, especially his teenage son. Portnoy first touched alcohol as a 9-year-old, and soon his addiction grew, making him dependent on drugs and weed. "I knew what to take depending on the mood. If I wanted to party, I’d drink excessively. If I wanted to sleep, I’d smoke weed and take pills," he told ITV News. Now, almost two years of being sober, Portnoy is focusing on rebuilding his connection with his family. Addiction plays a significant role in ruining family dynamics, especially when kids are involved. A research titled, "The Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Families and Children: From Theory to Practice," found that in families where parents are victims of addiction, it often leads to an environment governed by emotional loss, violence, fear, or abuse.
The research also mentioned how kids raised in families where they have seen parents or close ones being addicted to substances are more likely to develop a similar obsession. The researchers revealed that over 8 million kids younger than age 18 live with at least one adult who has a SUD (effects of a substance use disorder). In Portnoy's case, his addiction could have easily influenced his kids, particularly his teenage son's choices in life, but his decision to enter rehab at the right time changed everything.
Meanwhile, reacting to the wholesome story, @iamshaiportnoy commented, "I couldn’t be prouder of you, Dad. It’s never an easy decision, and people who haven’t gone through similar struggles as you won’t understand how every day is an achievement. We all love you so much." @loredo2285 said, "Well done; it was impossible to fail with such an amazing, supportive family behind you. You should be so proud of your achievements. Wishing you all a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year."
Similarly, @masonwalker98 commented, "As someone who recently lost their father to alcohol, just know that it is for the better, not just for yourself but for everyone around you. It takes a lot of willpower to get through something like this. Keep pushing, and every day that goes by makes it a hell of a lot easier. All the best for the future!"
If you or someone you know is dealing with substance abuse, immediate help is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline. One can avail this by calling 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or texting their ZIP code to HELP4U (435748)
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