Here is the true story of a consumer who overcame many obstacles to turn his life around. Last names have been omitted for privacy.
Jeff’s troubles began at an early age. As a young boy, he was first raped by a neighbor and then physically and mentally abused by his father. Both Jeff and his mother ended up running away from home. At the age of 17, he fathered a child. He underwent two back surgeries that led to a prescription drug addiction, as well as an addiction to alcohol. His “job” consisted of being hired to ‘beat up wife beaters and child molesters.’ And then he went to jail.
“I spent six years in jail for selling drugs, assault and criminal mischief,” says Jeff. “And then I decided I was sick and tired of the life I was leading. I wanted to get clean, so I handed my life to God, I surrendered.”
Jeff completed a 28-day detox program and was sent to Horizon Village. He was asked to leave the program because of threatening behavior, but was still determined to change his life. He took it upon himself to enroll in Horizon’s outpatient program at the Lockport clinic. Six months into his sobriety, his only son committed suicide.
“I managed to stay sober during the worst time of my life,” he says. “And I my plan is to stay on that path.” He completed the 18-month outpatient program at Horizon, but continues to receive mental health counseling.
“Jeff has done well because he has taken advantage of every option available to him to maintain his sobriety,” says Jessica Stritzinger who worked closely with Jeff as his counselor at the Lockport Clinic before being promoted to Horizon’s Coordinator of Mental Health Court. “He’s been open to all recommendations and has a ‘whatever you think is best for me, I’ll do’ attitude, and that determination and strength has been a tremendous positive for him.”
Jeff’s goal now is to go to college to become an addictions counselor so he can help others. “I tell people the high you get from drugs isn’t worth what it does to your life, and that’s the truth,” he says.
Path To Recovery
The Path To Recovery includes true stories of consumers who overcame many obstacles with the help of Horizon Health Services to turn their lives around. Last names have been omitted for privacy.