Gregory McLeod is the author of the inspirational memoir The Apathetical Man.
Overcoming addiction is never an easy feat. There are many kinds of addiction. Whether it’s substance abuse or behavioral addiction, those who suffer from them also suffer depression. All addictions are destructive. However, alcoholism and drug addiction are two of the most dangerous. They destroy not only the physical body, but they also break down one’s soul. Most of all, they alienate the person from friends, family, and society. Gregory Martin McLeod went through a period of severe addiction. His journey brought him to various institutions and different stages until he met God and embraced healing and transformation. His book The Apathetical Man chronicles that journey. Let us get to know more about Gregory McLeod and his extraordinary journey.
Gregory Martin McLeod was born on December 25, 1964. He was a shy young boy who did not receive good discipline when he was growing up until he was about 10 when he started getting into trouble more often. Eventually, Gregory became involved with alcohol and drugs early in his teens. Because he was shy with people his age, he often hung out with people older than him. At age 14, Gregory became a full-blown alcoholic and a drug user. The people he spent time with are also into these things and may have influenced the young Gregory to experience these liberties at a very young age. Gregory was later diagnosed with bipolar disease and according to him, was sent to a psychiatric hospital when he was just 16 years old. Gregory recalls how his life was dominated by sin (sex, drugs, and alcohol),
“I remember one of the staff members carrying me out one night (we would get passes to go out for the evening) and you would not believe where he took me? To a topless bar! I thought I was in paradise. I never told on him either. I thought it was fine to go to a topless bar. I thought I could battle this bi-polar disease, but thinking that way led back to drugs and alcohol. Somehow after an incident, I was being seen as a patient by a doctor near to me. Things seem to get better. I met this girl and we were married. She is my honey, sweet to my soul. She has stuck with me all those horrible years.”
Finally, Gregory admitted to being sick and agreed to see a doctor. While working as an electrician in a manufacturing company, he was taking all kinds of medication. However, his job was too risky and Gregory decided that he needed to quit his meds. This ended in Gregory being back at the rehab. By this time, he had already spent six times in rehab with hardly any progress. Gregory would find himself back on medication, working a normal job, and then quit and be back in the rehab again. This cycle weight down on him until one day he realized that he needed something other than drugs and medications. He needed something far more powerful. He needed spiritual guidance.
“After the 10th time in a rehab center, I had a doctor to ask me two questions. The questions were this: “What do you want us to do for you here and what do you want to get out of your stay here.” I didn’t know what to say. I finally admitted I didn’t know. And that is when I knew it was spiritual and not all physical. I needed my first love back and he was Jesus Christ.”
Road to Healing and The Apathetical Man
In February 2019, Gregory Martin McLeod published his memoir The Apathetical Man. He said that the book’s title was from when he was still doing alcohol and drugs. He recalls that during these years in his life, he felt numb, and only when he did drugs and alcohol did he felt alive.
In his 10th admission to a rehab facility, Gregory McLeod made a conscious decision to finally break free from a life of suffering and abuse. His encounter with the pastor became a life-changing moment for Gregory. It was at this point that Gregory realized that unless he surrendered himself to God, his battle with drugs will consume him all his life. Gregory finally recognized that his struggle was more spiritual rather than the physical.
Gregory decided to work hard on his rehab program and rigorously followed the 12 steps of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). McLeod also acknowledged the importance of his small group at his rehab center. He participated in group meetings headed by a pastor during his greatly helped with his spiritual journey and healing.
Today, Gregory McLeod has been clean and sober for more than 12 years. Aside from this the book The Apathetical Man, Gregory also shares his inspiring journey to others who are suffering or on their way to rehabilitation through group discussions and blogs.
For more information about Gregory McLeod’s The Apathetical Man, you can visit his author website or grab a copy of his book today.