OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — It was a cause for celebration, but the walk across the stage is just a small part of Chuck Mabbitt's journey to sobriety.
"I struggled for awhile. I was living in my van using meth," Mabbitt said.
Two years ago, Mabbitt's life was slipping away.
He and his wife were divorcing, he suffered a back injury, lost his job and eventually he relapsed.
This downward spiraling eventually broke their family in ways Mabbitt could never have imagined.
"Having to have my daughter go to foster care," Mabbitt said. "That's really something you never want to have to do... to be separated from your children like that because me and my daughter are really close. I know it had a big impact on her."
Mabbitt's addiction started when he was 14-years-old.
He first started with drinking and marijuana, but it quickly escalated to cocaine and meth.
Mabbitt ended up in the hospital, and was introduced to the Open Door Mission and their addiction programs.
"If they had somewhere else to go, they would be there," Open Door Mission President Candace Gregory said. "When they come through the doors, often times they have really burned all their bridges. They have no one else to enable them and that's why they walk through our doors."
Gregory says the New Life Recovery Program offers a place for families to heal together.
Although defeated, Mabbitt wanted to rebuild himself and his family, so he got to work.
He was eventually able to get back his wife, daughter and sobriety.
On Monday, December 16, Mabbitt graduated from the New Life Recovery Program, along with 11 others.
"It's going to be a new day for me," Mabbitt said. "I have a whole bunch of open possibilities. I'm healthy again."
Mabbitt's has been sober for nine months.
He adds his relationship with his family is stronger than ever.
