It is time to say "CONGRATULATIONS!" once again...

I think every time I read about any person, whether it is someone who is taking control of their life from a vice - like drugs, alcohol, or anything else - I am going to post about them. I had this idea when I read about former Pantera vocalist "Philip Anselmo." From an article on Blabbermouth.net, I read this:

Steppin' Out: Listening to you speak makes me happy. This is the first time I've spoken to you since you got straight. How did you finally get clean?

Anselmo: It takes a lot of distancing yourself from the source of the problem. Also nipping the source of the problem in the bud. I was going through tremendous amounts of... physical pain and I addressed that by having major back surgery and that's no walk in the park. I think once you embrace the physical rehabilitation part of it, and you really really buy into the program... only good things can come of it. Once the body feels better, then the mind feels better — if that makes any sense.

Steppin' Out: Of course.

Anselmo: That goes hand in hand. Then there's other factors like divorce, which was definitely needed, because I needed to get away from that particular person to move on. Then I also have a fantastic new woman... not really "new" — we've been together eleven f'ing years now. Her support is unending and undying and unwavering. To have this positive influence in my life is such a great thing. It's up to the individual. If you put in the work and the time, and you really want your life back... then it's there to be had. It doesn't matter what level of life you're on, or where you live, or what you do. You can f'ing do it if you put your mind to it.

Steppin' Out: You mentioned "get with the program." Is that a reference to a 12-step program, or did you do it on your own?

Anselmo: No, I actually did it on my own, but I can't say that that's the right way for everybody. I did on my own because I needed it. Put it this way... when I look back at old interviews and I'm slurring words and I'm about to fall asleep in front of the f'ing camera, it's embarrassing. It sucked. And it still sucks. I use that shit as a beacon of sorts of where not to ever go again in my life.I felt like I was shortchanging myself, therefore short changing anyone that was ever a fan of my music. It's bullshit. There's always a better way. With a clear mind, you can get more work done, you can get more personal work done, and then you can extend yourself to other people in a more rational way. Even if it's a dinner date or producing a record. Every walk of life that you take, you can at least be a reliable human being, which is a very tough thing to come by in a lot of cases. I pride myself on being that guy.