As a teenager, Ramzi had already endured more emotional turmoil than many adults face in a lifetime. Growing up in a home shaped by a mentally and verbally abusive figure, Ramzi didn鈥檛 realize how deeply the trauma had taken root. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 realize how much mental abuse he had given me鈥擯TSD,鈥 he shared.
As life piled on more loss鈥攈is grandmother鈥檚 passing, his parents鈥 divorce and growing tension at home鈥擱amzi found himself coping the only way he thought he could. 鈥淎nytime I had a chance, I would drink. I started smoking and vaping. I couldn鈥檛 handle the stress without it.鈥
Everything shifted when a family member suggested counseling, which led Ramzi and his mom to 海角社区鈥檚 Community Action Team (CAT). At first, he wasn鈥檛 convinced. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think they would do much to help. I felt like that for a few months.鈥
But change came slowly, then all at once. 鈥淚 started to see the light at the end of the tunnel鈥 When I saw I could change myself, I realized I didn鈥檛 have to be stuck.鈥
Family counseling through CAT offered a space between Ramzi and his mom to work through any long-standing tension. 鈥淭alking things through in sessions helped us understand where the other was coming from,鈥 he said.
Beyond therapy, 海角社区鈥檚 CAT team helped Ramzi recognize the influence of the people around him. 鈥淭hey helped me stay away from the wrong crowds鈥 they made me understand that the people around me can mold me into something I didn鈥檛 want to become.鈥
Today, the changes are clear and lasting. Ramzi stopped drinking entirely in June of 2025. Nicotine, once a habit, now holds little appeal. Most importantly, the connection with his mom has transformed. 鈥淣ow, even if I screw up, I鈥檒l tell her the truth. There isn鈥檛 a single thing I鈥檇 lie to her about鈥攁nd vice versa.鈥
Reflecting on the team who walked alongside him, he puts it simply, 鈥淟exi and the team were amazing, understanding and willing to help.鈥
To anyone unsure about reaching out for support, he offers this, 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing to lose from it. I didn鈥檛 love it at first, but I stuck with it, and I only ever gained from going.鈥
Ramzi鈥檚 story is about resilience, family and the power of choosing a different future. And through 海角社区, he found not only support, but hope.
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