Recovery is a family tradition for Mike and Chris Wise
Xenia man follows in his father’s footsteps from active addiction to life of recovery
XENIA — Most experts agree that drug and alcohol addiction tends to run in families.
With this being the case, there’s no reason recovery shouldn’t be a family tradition as well.
At least that’s how Chris Wise sees it. With the 25-year-old Xenia man now approaching his first full year in recovery from hardcore drug addiction, a path that his father went down many years ago, he took the time to reflect on his transformation this past year and talked about the amazing people and organizations who helped make it possible.
“It started when I was about 9 years old,” Chris said. “It was on and off. I smoked weed, and then it progressed as I got older. Then, the next thing I knew, by the age of 13 and 14 I was taking pills.”
Chris said he had his first daughter (Nevaeh) at the age of 15. Then, at 16, he was introduced to cocaine.
“The worst came when I was 18,” he said. “I was introduced to meth. I had seen that stuff all my life. My dad (Mike Wise) was in and out of prison and I would visit him there and so I thought this stuff was normal. At a very young age, I thought going to jail was normal. . . I thought, ‘if he likes jail so much — why don’t I go to jail as well.”
At the age of 18, Chris said things started going really bad.
“I ended up doing eight and a half months in Greene County Jail,” he said. “Then, in 2019, I went to the Christopher House. However, I never found God. So about seven months into my recovery I relapsed.”
Later, at the age of 21, Chris said he had his second child — his son, Isaac.
“My wife (Shianna) ended up relapsing with me over the next three years,” he said. “Then, in February of this year, I got arrested and we both went to jail.”
After that, Chris said he went back to the Christopher House. That happened earlier this year.
“In the middle of treatment, I realized people were still using around me,” he said “So, I called my dad, and he got me into SOS Ministries. SOS and Emerge saved my life – in addition to Jesus Christ.”
Today, Chris said he is excited about all the good things happening in his life.
“I’ve never had my license my entire life,” he said. ”My relationship with my dad is restored. I got a license. I got my own car. I drive a company vehicle. I am working on becoming a house manager at SOS. I am training to be a plumber at Five Star. And I am working on getting a house in January!”
Chris said he got sober Feb. 15 of last year.
“During the last 11 months, my life has changed dramatically,” he said. “I can actually be a dad today to my kids. I can show up for them, for my wife and for all my family. I work every day. Before I didn’t have a job for three years in addiction. I am learning a good work ethic. I paid all my bills today — something I never did before. The car and license that’s huge as well! It’s all paid off!”
Throughout the process, Chris said his father, Mike Wise, played an instrumental role in helping him, mentoring him and guiding him to the right people. Mike Wise, a longtime employee of Five Star Home Services, has 10 years of sobriety and is well known throughout the local 12-step recovery community.
“When I was in jail in February, I called him,” Chris said. “He went to the courts and talked to the courts for me. He has helped me by leading me to Jesus. He supports me in everything I do. He hasn’t given up on me no matter what.”
Chris said he is excited to have rekindled a relationship with his father — both his earthly father and his heavenly father.
“I was 15 when dad got sober,” he said. “That was 10 years ago. At that time, I didn’t want anything to do with him because it had been so long. Today, however, our relationship is great! He’s been such a huge part of my recovery.”
Chris said his wife has also been a huge part of his recovery.
“We have been married three years,” he said. “We have stuck beside each other and now we’re doing this recovery thing. Instead of tearing each other down, we are building each other up.”
Additionally, Chris said his mom has also been one of his biggest supporters.
“My mom has always accepted me for me,” he said. “She is proud of me today. She said she didn’t know if I was going to die, and now she says she’s seen me change my life dramatically and she loves it.”
The counseling and support team at Emerge have also been a tremendous help, he said.
“Emerge is great,” he said. “I love Luke and Kara. They were with me in 2019. Luke was my counselor. They’ve helped me and my wife and had one on one sessions with them. Additionally, Five Star Home Services is the best place I’ve ever worked. I have amazing bosses and I am learning a lot. Five Star is big on second chances, which is a big thing today.”
Additionally, Chris said the help he’s received from SOS Ministries has been incredible.
“Two of my biggest supporters are Jeremiah and Carolyn Byrd,” he said. “They are one of the reasons why I have all this also. They have taught me patience and how to follow God better and be a leader. SOS ministries is a huge part of my recovery. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have such a great relationship with God. The stuff they do is amazing!”
Today, Chris and Shianna Wise have one son, Isaac, 3, and daughter, Nevaeh, 8.
He said he looks forward, one day at a time, to seeing what the future holds as he explores schooling options to become drug and alcohol treatment counselor at Emerge.