Stephen Silva Brave: Freedom in Sobriety

Stephen Silva Brave appears in episode 17 of the critical social worker podcast. Stephen is an enrolled citizen of Sicangu Lokata Nation. He resides in Dallas, Texas currently and at the time of the podcast he was attending college to get his bachelors. When Stephen began telling his story he disclosed that he began using substances when he was 9 or 10 years old, but it began as something very casual in the beginning. It wasn’t until he was nearing the age of 15 that he felt the effects of addiction.  Stephen speaks on how he managed to get through his high school career without encountering serious trouble, partially due to a youth group at a church that his friend introduced him to.

Stephen describes how he became more involved with the church against the advice of many in his life. He remained very involved in the church until his girlfriend became pregnant and they were shunned by the church. He was 19 when his first child was born and welcomed his second child only 13 months later. He expresses how hard it was to balance it out and how he began drinking heavier with his coworkers. He notes the boundaries he put in place for himself to not be labeled an alcoholic but how most boundaries were adjusted to fit his new outlook within 6 months. At the time Stephen considered himself high functioning but as he as grown, he doesn’t agree with the phrase. Eventually the consistent drinking led to his health declining and damage to his liver. 

The turning point for Stephen was when he was trying to take his kids to school, and he couldn’t get his shoes on. His wife made him go to the hospital where he was diagnosed with sorosis of the liver. The doctor spoke with Stephen and made some brash statements that after trying to quit a few times he would probably die within the year. Stephen states that those words from the doctor was what made him stay sober in the first little. At two weeks he began feeling better and had the thought to drink again which ultimately lead to him enrolling in an AA program. 

Throughout this podcast the complexities of AA were brought up and discussed. While AA can be beneficial but it can not be seen as a one size fits all. During my profession working with individuals with development disabilities who have been made to attend AA meetings for court I haven’t seen success very often, at least not when its mandated.

As Stephen began to improve, he wanted to see if he could find anyone who was experiencing the same situation as him which eventually led to him being a counselor.  He goes on to explain that he shared his journey soon to led people know that he had stopped drinking and was met with an outpour of support and brought him to the understanding that many who he interacted with frequently had gone through the same situation but had decided not to be as open about it. He stated that in the beginning his sobriety became somewhat of his identity and throughout the years he distanced himself from it being the forefront of his identity.

Throughout the years Stephen navigated being sober by being loud and proud about his sobriety. He stated that there’s something cool in asking for a coffee at the bar. He has continued this throughout the years and notes that he loves the life he has built in the years of his sobriety. He loves the relationships he has built. He said that “What I have right now is too good for a little buzz.” While listening to Stephen speak on appreciating the life he has and the sobriety he has maintained I relate in a way. Especially when it comes to ordering coffee at a bar. I actively choose not to drink; I have a long family history of addiction and I feel like I have enough of an addictive personality that it would be a disaster.

I believe that life is something precious, but it is also something that is traumatic and painful for many. Growing up I can’t remember a time when my mother wasn’t by 5pm. My father spent most of my life in prison for driving under the influence and in the neighborhood surrounding me drugs were the norm. It gives me immense happiness when I hear of a parent who was able to pull themselves out of the pit that alcoholism can often me, which is what Stephen was able to do. Within our journey of being professionals it is important to have compassion for those that experience addiction, whether it be past or present.