My name is James, and I’m a recovering heroin/substance addict. I say heroin because that’s my drug of choice. I started using drugs at the age of 13.
The household I was born into was to both alcoholic/addicted to drugs. That was the environment I was in until other family members assisted in adopting my sister and I.
My drug use started because I wanted to belong. The friends I had were smoking weed, drinking, and experimenting so I went along for the ride. My experimenting stopped at sixteen when I found heroin.
My addiction to heroin was much like a toxic, romantic relationship, it was really good at first and then eventually I went places that I never thought I would go. I would spend time in jails, homeless, and in many treatment centers. With many different attempts at sobriety.
Today my life is completely different. My sobriety date is July 4, 2020 I just recently celebrated three years of sobriety. I’m in constant contact with my daughter. I have a job; I work with other people trying to get sober. I’m able to see hope in others. I have great friends. It’s almost like my life‘s a dream.
If you’re out there and you’re struggling, there is a way out. You just gotta make your mind up pick yourself up and eventually you too can achieve anything you want. The best thing about getting sober is meeting your tribe. Mine loved me even when I couldn’t love myself. 999!
