Jeff

Topics: Substance Abuse

 

"I grew up in a nice middle class neighborhood. Since I had two older brothers, I got to tag along with my older brothers wherever they went.  My first time drinking was when I followed my brothers as they snuck out of the house to go to a friend’s house. I was only in the 7th grade,  but that night was the start of a long an dangerous addiction to drugs and alcohol. Over the next eight years, I was sent to jails and institutions, got in many fights and even got shot. Because of my drinking and drug use, I got in a horrific car accident where I received a Traumatic Brain Injury after which I had to relearn how to walk. Even then I could not sever my ties with my alcoholism and addiction.

At the age of 20, I was broken down, afraid, lonely, and homeless. The only hope I had was to ask someone else for help. When I went to Alcoholics Anonymous, I found help and began my journey of sobriety. I completed the twelve steps and my life has continued to get better ever since. Today I am a college student and make enough money working part-time to put myself through college. I have a relationship with my family that I did not think was even possible. Today, I have real friends that I can really depend on. They care about me and how I am really doing.  It really feels good to be me today."