When Brian Prather talks about his past, his voice carries the weight of loss, pain, and ultimately, transformation. A father. A husband. A person in recovery. And now, someone who sees a future.
Brian’s journey into addiction began with unimaginable grief—the death of his mother to an overdose on Christmas Day. “That, mixed with a lot of trauma in childhood, was the cherry on top,” he shares. “A year later, I was introduced to a drug that made me feel comfortable in my own skin for the first time.”
What followed was 14 years of IV heroin use, 17 stints in rehab, and a cycle of isolation and shame. “I used not to feel. Mainly because I didn’t feel comfortable being me.”
But today, Brian has been in recovery for more than three years—and he’s proud of who he is.
Finding Real Recovery
Brian credits BrightView with helping him find his footing. “It’s the only place I’ve ever been for MAT (Medication for Addiction Treatment). I used to care so much about what people thought of MAT that I let that hold me back. But once the pain got bad enough, I was ready to try anything.”
It wasn’t just the medication—it was the people. “From the moment you walk in, there are smiles. Genuine smiles. They don’t see you as just an addict. My counselor knows me better than 95% of the people in my life.”
That connection made all the difference. “There’s a growing trend for virtual recovery. But for me, sitting face-to-face with someone, having that human connection—it matters. It helped save my life.”
Healing Beyond the Substance
Recovery wasn’t just about getting clean. It was about rebuilding relationships and rediscovering himself. Brian worked through trauma, opened up in therapy, and began to repair the damage done to those he loved most—his wife, daughter, and family.
“If someone would’ve told me my relationship with my wife would be what it is today, I wouldn’t have believed them. She’s my best friend now. She’s proud of me. And more importantly—so am I.”
Brian has also stepped into a role he never imagined: recovery advocate. “For so long, I believed in anonymity. But I also believe in recovering out loud. If someone gave you a roadmap that helped you survive, you turn around and help the next person find their way.”
A Father, A Craftsman, A Man With Peace
Brian finds peace in woodworking—something he’s loved for decades. But more than that, he’s found peace within. “I didn’t know peace was possible. But now, I can look in the mirror and be okay with who’s looking back.”
When asked what he hopes his daughter sees in him, he answers without hesitation: “Perseverance. That we don’t give up. That we love fully. That we can face brutal truths and still grow stronger.”
Always Recovering
Brian doesn’t believe in the idea of being “cured.” Recovery, for him, is a lifelong process. “I’ll always be an addict. But I’m also a husband. A father. A son. A friend. And those are the things that define me today.”
For anyone struggling, Brian offers this: “When the pain gets great enough, you’ll know it’s time. Don’t let people shield you from that pain—it’s what brings change. And there’s help. Real help.”