Hi, my name is Smallzii. Seven months ago I really started to fall, and Four months ago, I hit rock bottom.

I woke up on the pavement, surrounded by shattered glass, flashing lights, and shouting voices. I had passed out drunk behind the wheel in a grocery store parking lot… bottle still in hand. Police kneeled on my back crushing me, and surrounded by cops with riot gear and guns drawn like I had just robbed a bank. That night could’ve ended everything.

But it didn’t.

And it won’t.

That was in November, and my last time drinking was one final time in February which ended with my wife kicking me out… finally fed up with my alcoholic bullshit… and I tried ending my own life. I’m so fucking grateful that I didn’t succeed. That was the last time I ever drank.

Since age 13, alcohol was all I knew. Both my parents drank, and my dad eventually died from it. I nearly followed in his footsteps. But my eyes finally opened to my addiction when I came to fully sober again.

Today marks over 120 days sober.

I’ve quit drinking. I’ve quit vaping.

I’m in therapy, on proper medication, and attending AA.

I’m alive, and finally healing.

But the fallout from my addiction has left me drowning financially. I lost my shop, my stability, vehicles, had to move into an apartment alone… and my marriage. I’ve borrowed thousands just to survive and support my five beautiful kids. I’m rebuilding from scratch… emotionally, physically, and financially.

Against the odds, I found a new, more affordable shop space and reopened my tattoo studio. It’s beautiful. It’s alive. And my team, my DOTI family, is still with me. But getting here meant maxing out every credit card I had just to get the doors open again.

I’m really bad at asking for help. I almost NEVER do and sometimes it hurts me at times when I really NEEDED help.

So… Now, I’m asking for help.

Not for luxuries — but for survival. For stability. For a chance to keep rebuilding. For a home for my artists, and a place where you can go to have a great and comfortable experience while getting art. A safe space for all.

⸻

So please, If I’ve ever touched your life, through art, through friendship, through laughter or pain, I’m asking humbly:

Help me stay on this path.

Whether it’s $5 or $50, every dollar helps cover the debt that’s burying me and threatening to pull this second chance away.

Even if you can’t donate, please share.

We ALL survive best in community — and right now, I need mine.

Thank you for reading.

Thank you for caring.

And thank you for believing I’m worth saving.

– Smallzii