Why Sober Life Takes Effort | Matt W.

Growing up in a loving family outside of New York City, Matt Williams had everything he needed—supportive parents, a good home, and endless possibilities. But behind the surface of a normal childhood, something darker was brewing. Undiagnosed ADHD made it hard for him to focus, and as a teen, he discovered a thrill in getting away with things—starting with alcohol. What began as sneaking drinks at sleepovers soon spiraled into a cycle of blackouts, consequences, and self-destruction.

By his late 20s, Matt's drinking had taken him to some of the darkest places imaginable—waking up in unknown locations, getting behind the wheel in dangerous states, and ultimately, crashing his car on May 15, 2010. That night changed everything. Stripped down in a jumpsuit, facing inmates whose crimes went beyond DUIs, he finally realized: he couldn’t keep liv ...