I am a 59-year-old male who has had a tumultuous past with drugs and alcohol.  At age 21, I started experimenting with marijuana and eventually moved on to harder drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.  My drug use quickly spiraled out of control, and I found myself homeless and in and out of jail and prison for several years of my life.

During my lengthy prison stay, I had a moment to reflect on how my life had become unmanageable.  It also gave me a reflection on whom I had become, and realized I needed to turn my life around.  I was tired of living a life of chaos and knew that if I didn’t change my way of life, I would end up dead or back in prison.  With the help and guidance of my mother/family and support from my Pastor and community, I made the commitment to become drug-free.

The road to recovery wasn’t easy, and there were times when I started to give up and go back to the life of drugs and those people, places, and things which was my comfort zone; however, I began to lean on the prayers of the righteous, which availed much, and the foundation my parents instilled in me.  While I remain determined to overcome my crack, heroin, and methamphetamine addiction and work just that much harder to stay drug-free.  After several years and a sure foundation in God, I began attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings regularly, received therapy, and surrounded myself with positive influences.

As I got further into my recovery, I discovered a passion for helping others who were struggling with addiction. I first became a Paraprofessional, then I decided to go back to school and became a Certified Peer Support Specialist, Specializing in addiction counseling.  This year starts my 17th year as a Paraprofessional/Certified Peer Support Specialist with One To One With Youth, where I help others overcome the same challenges I faced.

Looking back over my life, I am so grateful for the struggles I went through because it ultimately led me to who I am today.  I have been drug-free since February 11th, 1993 @ 5:30 in the morning @ 817 Crawford Street in Goldsboro, NC, for over 30 years, and I am proud of the new life God has given me.  In closing, I want my story to prove that no matter how far down that winding road of addiction you go out, God can straighten the road out and turn your life around.