NILES, Ohio — Family has always been very important to Dustin Hurst.

“That was one of the biggest deciding factors. I don’t know what I would do without my family,” Hurst said.

When his sister threatened him with not being able to see his niece and nephew if he didn’t quit drinking, he knew he had to make a change.

What You Need To Know

  • Deaths caused by excessive alcohol use have increased in the United States during the past two decades

  • Organization pairs those who are sober with those beginning on their sobriety journey

  • Two men began drinking as pre-teens, now in sobriety

Hurst started drinking alcohol when he was 10 years old after his dad died.

“When I lost him, I found my escape in all that,” he said.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths caused by excessive alcohol use have increased in the United States during the past two decades. The number of deaths from excessive alcohol use increased from 138,000 deaths in 2016 to 178,000 deaths in 2021, a 29% increase.

Hurst’s mom died when he was 15. Both his parents had been big drinkers.

“By the time I was 15 years old, I was a full-blown alcoholic. Every day. All day. I’d spent a few times in and out of treatment centers. I’d been in sober living once prior to getting sober this time,” Hurst said.

Hurst has been sober for eight years and now helps others struggling with alcohol use. He works for Thrive Peer Recovery Services. The organization pairs those who are sober with people just beginning on their journey.

Hurst has lost many close friends to alcohol use since he’s been in recovery.

“A lot of people. I lot of really close friends of mine who had relapsed,” he said.

He’s not alone in that experience. Among those Hurst is trying to help is Chuck DeCola, who said he began drinking when he was 12 years old.

“Alcohol was always around for me when I was growing up. Always,” DeCola said.

DeCola said quitting drinking was a matter of life or death for him.

“I was having withdrawals, seeing stuff on walls. I couldn’t do anything without shaking violently,” DeCola said.

DeCola lost two of his brothers to substance and alcohol abuse.

“It happens so much in our worlds. We try and try and try to do these things to prevent it, but I don’t think we can ever fully stop it,” Hurst said.

DeCola gives Hurst a lot of credit for helping him stay sober.

The men are grateful for getting their lives back, but also for what they can give.

DeCola hopes to follow in Hurst’s footsteps and become a peer supporter.

As for Hurst, everything he’s done over the past several years has earned back the trust of his family.

“They’re not worrying about whether I’m gonna die from this thing. They finally are at that point in their life where they can have that peace of mind and I think that’s one of the greatest gifts that I’ve been able to give to them,” Hurst said.