Local man Joseph Haigler sees major improvement in his life after nine months sober

Jeff Barron, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
·2 min read

LANCASTER ? Joseph Haigler's life has improved dramatically in the last nine months.

Joe Haigler, pf Lancaster, sits in the window at First Step Recovery on June 24, 2024, in Lancaster, Ohio. Haigler, a recovering addict and alcoholic with nine months of sobriety, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
Joe Haigler, pf Lancaster, sits in the window at First Step Recovery on June 24, 2024, in Lancaster, Ohio. Haigler, a recovering addict and alcoholic with nine months of sobriety, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.

That's because he has been in recovery from alcohol abuse and is being treated at First Step Recovery Center. He also volunteers around 25 to 30 hours a week for Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio's ReStore business helping customers, taking donations and more.

"I was pretty bad," Haigler, 43, said. "I was a hardcore alcoholic for a number of years. I've been in and out of different recovery centers and stuff. I was getting arrested all the time. I was really just a bad person before. But they've (First Step) gotten me to where I want to live my life again. And they've got me to where my self-esteem is back up to where I can go out and do stuff and not feel ashamed of myself."

Joe Haigler, of Lancaster, sits outside at First Step Recovery on June 24, 2024, in Lancaster, Ohio. Haigler, a recovering addict and alcoholic with nine months of sobriety, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
Joe Haigler, of Lancaster, sits outside at First Step Recovery on June 24, 2024, in Lancaster, Ohio. Haigler, a recovering addict and alcoholic with nine months of sobriety, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.

Haigler said he has volunteered for Habit for a number of years, but always relapsed while doing so.

"It's kind of like my second, or brand-new life, or whatever," Haigler said of sobriety. "I just got tired. I've always wanted to do positive things in my life. It's just I've always been wracked with addiction. Before I came to First Step I've been in countless recoveries and nothing has ever worked. But First Step is really what saved me."

He said his current nine months is the longest he has been sober as an adult. He was just getting out of jail nine months ago.

Joe Haigler, of Lancaster, sits in the window at First Step Recovery on June 24, 2024, in Lancaster, Ohio. Haigler, a recovering addict and alcoholic with nine months of sobriety, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
Joe Haigler, of Lancaster, sits in the window at First Step Recovery on June 24, 2024, in Lancaster, Ohio. Haigler, a recovering addict and alcoholic with nine months of sobriety, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.

"I felt helpless then," Haigler said. "I felt like I couldn't do anything. I was suicidal. I was miserable."

But not now.

"I feel great," Haigler said. "I love what I do every day. I try to help the new people that come in (to First Step). I feel a lot better."

First Step site supervisor Summer Sisterman said those at the recovery center couldn't be more proud of Haigler.

"When you believe in somebody they can accomplish great things," she said. "He is just doing amazing. To come from where law enforcement knew him on sight by name to where he is going out of his way to gather resources to put on an event with us to help others. That's all we could ever ask from anybody in our program, to give back and be a support for those still struggling."

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Joe Haigler, of Lancaster, sits outside at First Step Recovery on June 24, 2024, in Lancaster, Ohio. Haigler, a recovering addict and alcoholic with nine months of sobriety, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
Joe Haigler, of Lancaster, sits outside at First Step Recovery on June 24, 2024, in Lancaster, Ohio. Haigler, a recovering addict and alcoholic with nine months of sobriety, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
Joe Haigler (second from right), of Lancaster, stands with staff outside at First Step Recovery on June 24, 2024, in Lancaster, Ohio. Haigler, a recovering addict and alcoholic with nine months of sobriety, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
Joe Haigler (second from right), of Lancaster, stands with staff outside at First Step Recovery on June 24, 2024, in Lancaster, Ohio. Haigler, a recovering addict and alcoholic with nine months of sobriety, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Local man see's major improvement in his life after nine months sober

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