"Gone Fishin' with Eric V."

Eric V. is a staff member who has been using the activity of fishing to teach life lessons to the men and women who are in treatment at Sober Living by the Sea. Fishing with Eric is one of the many spiritual, physical and esteem building rehab activities offered by Sober Living by the Sea.

Every Sunday at 6:00 the boat leaves the harbor and the men and women who choose to go fishing with Eric get to experience a positive and spiritual activity that will help them learn how to "have fun in sobriety." The men and women also benefit from participating in the activity with other recovering people who are learning how to live life on life's terms.

As Eric says, "A lot of us know what it feel like to be awake this early in the morning - from drinking or using drugs. Now when I get to see the sunrise and I have this activity to enjoy it is very positive spiritual experience that I am grateful for every time."

Eric goes on to point out that he sees the activity is a metaphor for success in real life. "Being good at fishing requires a lot of common sense that is useful in other parts of life. For one thing, you have to be up early to catch the fish. Also, if you use dead or improper bait - then you will not get the results you desire. In order to attract the fish you want to catch, you must use nice lively bait that fish will want to eat." This lesson is akin to having the right approach in life no matter what the task you are trying to achieve.

Eric is enthusiastic when he describes how the feeling of catching a fish is a huge thrill that is a metaphor for achieving a goal in real life. The reality of fishing is that when you have a fish on the line, there are many factors that are out of your control that can prevent the fish from being caught. The fish could unhook itself, the line could break, another fisher's line can cross your line causing you to lose the fish as well. The most important things to remember when you are fishing are that you

• must be persistent


• must be patient


• must use the proper equipment to give yourself the best chance at success

When one of our clients finally reels a fish in and can hold it in the boat, that is a tangible and real feeling of success and completion. The client has experienced the process of :

1) setting a goal
2) working towards it properly with the help of others
3) achieving the goal

Not only is this a positive and empowering process, but it is all accomplished while sober and all in one morning!

Some people who arrive at Sober Living by the Sea Treatment Centers for treatment are already avid fishers, but most people are have little or no experience fishing and get to spend the morning peacefully learning how to do something new while sober. Some clients become very skilled fishers during their stay and continue the activity long after their treatment ends. Eric fondly remembers a client named Al S. who still fishes regularly to this day.

Eric has been kind enough to extend the offer to take our alumni fishing - whether or not they know how to fish from their time here or if it will be their first time. Alumni who want to participate can call our alumni hotline: 949-675-6107. We will tell you how to meet up with Eric bright and early on Sunday morning to go fishing!