Dejah Hall: Today, December 6, 2016, marks four years since my last use of heroin or meth. I was an awful IV user, and just like most others, I grew increasingly worse with time. On the left is a picture of me from the day I was arrested on December 6, 2012, which was also the day I finally gave my life over to God. I am working toward the completion of my Bachelor of Arts degree and have aspirations of working in the correctional system someday. I am very grateful to God that I am not where I used to be because I have a lovely daughter who is 18 months old. It is possible to live a sober life.
19 years old, lostwingnut is the age. I was certain that I was the most incredible person in the world. My weight was at around 100 pounds. I was a complete idiot. I stole from my pals for narcotics. I robbed my family to pay for my drug habit. I lied. Cheated. A lot of extremely wonderful individuals were harmed. When I finally gave up, the only person I had left was my stepfather. After a while, nobody believed what I said. That was a very trying period of time. It’s been 10 years, and at this point, I’m ready to put the past where it belongs: in the past. I have never been a recovering addict. I am not in the process of recuperation. In the next season, I will take the stage to get my Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. As I think back to the person I was 10 years ago, I am amazed at how much I have done. I am an incredible, entire person, and I am so darn proud of myself because of all of those things.
I was arrested for contempt of court on June 11, 2014, and I served a total of 36 days in prison as a result of the accusation. I won’t go into too much detail, but I’ll just say that I was in a relationship that was quite violent, which ultimately resulted in my kid moving home with my mom. When something as devastating as that occurred, I spiraled into a deep melancholy and turned to my emotionally abusive partner for assistance. She is the center of my universe. Heroin was his solution to the problem of how to make me feel better. After eight months of consistent usage and a few half-hearted efforts to quit, I admitted to the judge who was presiding over the case about the guardianship of my daughter that I had been abusing substances and that I needed assistance. He deemed me to be in contempt of court and placed me in the county prison until he was able to locate a bed for me in a rehabilitation facility. After that, I checked into the top residential treatment facility in my state. The process of recovery has been challenging for me, but at this point, everything seems to be a nightmare that I’m trying to wake up from.
Shanna White, you are: I have chosen to save that image so that I may always be reminded of where it led me and where I was. I felt defeated. As I compare it to the other photo, I say to myself, “Wow, I did it.” I am happy to celebrate my life today! I’ve been free of my meth addiction for the last six years! Please keep in mind that there is a way out of this horrible nightmare if you are still in the thick of it. You, too, can triumph over this and live a happy and fulfilled life. It is never too late to do anything. You need to forgive yourself, and you need to realize that you are worthy! I consider it a privilege to have the love and forgiveness of everyone who loves me. I adore my life and all of the friends and family members who have been there for me over the years.
Graham MacIndoe: When I initially began using drugs on a regular basis, I had the impression that it was improving my life and that it simply generally made things better. When I began feeling the need to do it right after I got up in the morning, that’s when I realized I had a problem. And at that point, I ought to have recognized that it was time to quit, but I didn’t. While you are under the influence of drugs, you never believe that you will be able to return to where you were or even come close to leading a regular life again. And you are able to do so, but with some difficulty. Even though things won’t ever be the same again, going through this experience might be very rewarding, educational, and life-altering for you. That is how I have experienced it. My priorities have shifted since I last looked at them. It’s not that I was a terrible or self-centered person, but now I think more about other people and I have a new perspective on mankind. My enthusiasm for life has significantly increased.
Vanessa: When I was in such a bleak and shattered position, I never imagined that I would be able to pull myself out of it. I was at the point where I could not take the misery any longer, and I began to really consider ending my life. Fear and the need to avoid looking at oneself were the driving forces in my existence. I have come to the conclusion that I will either put a stop to it all or pull myself up and begin the struggle for the tranquility and happiness that I am entitled to. The decision to seek assistance was the smartest one I could have made at any point in time. I put myself in the company of powerful women, I collaborate with a sponsor, and I am open to feedback!!!! The path to sobriety is paved with a wealth of extraordinary opportunities and advantages. Do not surrender before the occurrence of the miracle!
ChangeIsGood: I’ve never felt better. My history is now behind me, and the prospects for my future are more encouraging than they have ever been.
Jermwithaj: My life is not the same as it was yesterday. And it was the only thing I could really wish for in the closing stages. Not a better life since I never had the impression that everything was going to become any better… Yet, this is a somewhat different take. The results of six months of consistent effort and dedication on my part look like this. I am at last able to understand what it is like to be happy and at peace. I got the opportunity to assist other people in addition to telling my experience and sharing the answer I found. By doing so, I am able to change anything that was before terrible into something great now. If you are having trouble, please seek for assistance from someone else and search your innermost being with all you have to discover the desire to make changes. I can assure you that it is well worth the effort.