I haven’t had any mind or mood altering substances since 12/1/11.  I started doing drugs and drinking around 15, by the time I was 18 I was an everyday IV heroin user.  By the time I was 22, I was desperate for a different way of life;  I was tired of being a slave to this substance.  My mom helped me get into methadone clinic, which seemed to help at first.  I liked that the methadone made me not feel the physical withdraw symptoms, but mentally I was totally still an addict.  During the time I was on methadone, I started smoking more crack, slept around, and shoplifted compulsively.  These actions were just a form of my addiction that I was putting a band aid on with the methadone.

I eventually did go back to heroin. When I woke up from my second OD I started asking for help.  I went to rehab and was introduced to recovery by way of a 100% substance free lifestyle.  At first the idea seemed impossible, but the fact was I started to feel better without any drugs.

I felt better physically, emotionally and spiritually.  It took a lot of self-seeking, inward reflection and help from other people like me that had recovered, but ONE DAY AT A TIME I have gotten back a life worth living.

Today, I am a happy, successful, valuable member of society today, which I owe entirely to my sobriety.