Tom's Story (Tom - age 25)

A little over 16 months ago I embarked on a journey that unbeknownst to me would change my life forever. From the early age of 15 I started drinking and using drugs to escape pain and the realities of life. It was a dark road that led me to steal and lie from those I loved most, it led me to live on the cold streets of New England in the dreary winter months, I could go on listing things I had lost but in short I will just say everything including my self-respect and will to live. I had leased my soul to the devil with an option to buy.

My family through an act of god found the courage to confront me on my addiction and offered me a life line. They offered to send me to a drug rehab center in Arizona that helps young adults like me to find their way. Beaten and scared I accepted this offer and set out to start what would be the hardest and most beneficial thing I have ever done.

It was a long term residential drug treatment center that was designed to break me down then build me back up better and stronger. Through facing my fears and finding a power greater then myself to help me through the challenges I would face I learned to become a self reliant person that isn’t afraid to ask for help.

This program did not give me my life back; I traded up for a better model. I now live happy joyous and free living a life of integrity and servitude. I use the tools I have learned here to better my life daily through being open and learning from others experiences. It is a life I never dreamed I could have. My family and I are closer then we have ever been before and I have respect for myself and my life has a purpose now to share what I have been given to those who want it.

I have a host of friends now, a family that loves me, I learned how to ride a horse and cook a five course meal. I could go on listing the things I have now but I will just make it short I have everything a man could want.