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night before — that is not surprising, because typically I couldn’t
remember things that happened the night before — but I woke
up one day and I was like I’ve got to get better at this cycling
thing. I’m going to start riding harder and see if I can replace this
need to drink with another outlet. If you are an addict, you are
always an addict. You have to replace it with a comparable rush,
endorphins, whatever you want to call it. If you don’t you’ll be
back in those same habits.”
Dubel celebrated six years of sobriety on Jan. 18. Instead of
drinking heavily, he’s an elite athlete recruiting other athletes.
He’s a recovering alcoholic helping others quit their addictions.
“There’s some guys I ride with, some guys I know in Raleigh, I’ve
got a couple of family members who are struggling. I don’t really
have to reach very far to find people,” he says. “I try to keep myself
as an open book and be open about my issues. So many people, they
want help but they’re afraid of being judged. I don’t judge anybody.
I’ve been pretty low. I’m just driven to never get back to that place
again. It’s no way to go through life.”
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
WBM FILE PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN DUBEL
COURTESY JONATHAN DUBEL COURTESY JONATHAN DUBEL COURTESY JONATHAN DUBEL