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Darryl Hagar
 
Topics: Addiction/Recovery, Inspirational, Motivational, Substance Abuse/Addiction
Areas: Maine, Nationwide
Are you hiding a life-threatening addiction that puts your health, job, family, grade average or relationship at risk? Is that addiction holding you back from reaching your full potential? If you need a lifeline to pull you or a friend, co-worker or family member up from the depths of addiction, then Darryl Hagar's powerful talk is for you. The author of The Man Overboard: How a Merchant Marine Officer Survived the Raging Storm of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, Darryl knows what it's like to be trapped in addictions that hijack your life and prevent you from achieving your personal and professional dreams. A skilled ship's navigator, Darryl spent 20 years on the high seas working harder and longer than most of his shipmates, but his addictions cost him the rank of Captain.
In his riveting talk, Darryl tells how, shrouded in a haze of drugs and a sea of alcohol, he navigated 900-foot super-tankers through the high seas and two Persian Gulf wars − an Exxon-Valdez-type disaster waiting to happen. Onshore, his life spiraled equally out of control, a saga of bloody bar fights and loaded shotguns, sex and gambling addictions, arrests for DUIs and domestic violence − even binges on Nyquil. His talk rivets listeners with its rough and raw tales of reckless behavior in exotic ports of call, harrowing escapes from authorities around the globe, and risky escapades that are "still legend in Singapore and shipyards throughout the world."
Darryl's daredevil escapades − and how he finally got help − is the perfect keynote speech for high schools and colleges, maritime academies, and military bases. No matter what troubles or tragedy drove you or someone you care about to dangerous addictions, his heartfelt presentation will open the door to recovery. In fact, many in the audience take their first step toward getting help right on the spot as he shows how any addiction can be faced and conquered. Darryl finally hit bottom when, drunk and confused, he flew to the wrong city for a work conference and was forced to admit he needed help. "I got down on my knees and said, 'God, I can't live like this anymore. Either save me or take me,'" he recalls. His life-changing talk reveals how he found the courage to seek help and get sober, and how, if he could do it after 27 years trapped in a prison of addiction, you can too.
Even if you just drink on weekends, only do a few lines of coke, or pop just one wake-up pill in the morning, you'll be inspired to take back your life and not waste another day on the road to nowhere. And you'll take back your power, too. "Don’t change because the courts tell you to, your family wants you to, or you’re going to lose your kids," says Darryl. "Change because you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired. Do you want to enjoy your friends or family − or do you want them to bury you?"
When Darryl's father committed suicide, he hid the pain for 23 years, but you don't have to hide your pain any longer. Darryl's talk will have you breaking your silence today and talking about the issues at the core of your addiction. You'll see why you no longer have to drink and drug your feelings away or suffer in silence. Because Darryl's been through it, he knows how to offer the help and hope you need right now. "No matter how low you sink, you can change your life and flourish," says Darryl. You'll leave his inspiring talk with a deep connection to the healing power within you, ready to take your first step on the path to a brand new life.
For Employers
How much is substance abuse costing your company? Employees who use drugs or alcohol, even when they’re not on the clock, can be devastating to your business. Don’t be a victim of blind eye mentality − statistically, it can and will happen to you! Join Darryl Hagar as he illustrates effective systems and strategies that make your organization’s drug and alcohol policies pro-active, benefitting both you and your work force. While most employers are aware that drug and alcohol abuse has a negative and costly effect on their business, they often adopt ineffective policies that result in high, unnecessary costs. Taking a pro-active approach to drug and alcohol addiction can offer surprising benefits to your company − plus, it can boost morale, improve productivity, and save considerable expense.
For High School and College Students
Darryl Hagar was 15 years old when he took his first drink in 1977, drank to excess, blacked out, and woke up in his own vomit. He sank deeper into addiction through high school and college, and his years at the Marine Maritime Academy were spent in a haze of alcohol, marijuana and cocaine abuse − even during rigorous Coast Guard tests. When his father committed suicide in 1983, Darryl buried his grief in alcohol and drugs. Because he was a teenage addict, Darryl has the "street creds" to speak to high school and college students in language they understand. His powerful talk shows how to spot the warning signs of addiction, get out of denial and seek help before it's too late. Every student deserves to hear his story.
For the Military
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have left thousands of American veterans not only hurt, but emotionally shattered. Suicide rates for soldiers returning from the Middle East are at record levels, but tragically, the warning signs of self-harm continue to go unnoticed by many friends, family members and comrades of our troops. Drawing on his experiences during two Persian Gulf wars, Darryl shows how to identify the warning signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), what to do if you spot them, and how to turn addictive behavior into a self-motivating force. Darryl lost his father to suicide while a student at Maine Maritime Academy, and that trauma triggered a 27-year battle with drugs and alcohol, which he used to self-medicate, as many of today’s veterans do. "When they hear my story, a lot of military wives tell me their husbands have the same problem," says Darryl. "We've got to do more for our psychologically wounded warriors."
Darryl Hagar grew up in mid-coast Maine and graduated from Maine Maritime Academy after four years of rigorous training and education, earning a Bachelor of Nautical Science degree. He holds a United States Coast Guard Chief Mate License, unlimited tonnage, any oceans. Darryl sailed for big oil corporations for 20 years, carrying millions of barrels of petroleum around the country and the world. He was an active alcoholic and drug addict through it all and finally left the industry and got sober in May 2005. Darryl currently lives in Portland, Maine, raising his ten-year-old son and traveling to colleges, jails, prisons, and detoxification and recovery centers to discuss the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. He has shared his message of empowerment and responsibility with hundreds of groups, and with the release of his book, The Man Overboard, Darryl hopes to reach even more people in crisis and help them on their voyage to sobriety.
What people are saying...
"Writing The Man Overboard and sharing your life experiences with alcoholism on ships and the lessons you've learned takes great courage and will be helpful to our industry. I believe men will tuck your book in the bottom of their sea bags and read it back on the ships. I think they will look at their own lives, change their behaviors, and that you will have helped prevent oil pollution and accidents."
− Anonymous, West Coast Oil Tanker Port Captain
"Thanks for an insightful, informative, fun interview this morning! We so appreciated your wit and candor."
− Gail Fallen, "Mornings with Keith & Gail," Fox News Radio 600 KCOL
"Darryl inspires college students to look at their own lives and behavior more closely. His message should be heard by students everywhere."
− Felix (Phil) del Vecchio, College Professor, LCSW, LADC, CCS
"I think I sailed with you on the Overseas Chicago. I don’t remember because we drank a lot and had good rocks from Chiriqui Grande in Panama. I just read your book and I'm ready to change my ways. I can’t live like this anymore.
− Anonymous Marine Engineering Ship’s Officer
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