Life Transformed: My Testimony - A Journey from Darkness to Light

  My father struggled with addiction and alcoholism for most of his life, though in his later years, serious health issues led him to a period of sobriety. My dad found solace in music, playing guitar and singing backup in a band called Box-o-Rox. Music had always been a lifeline for him, a way to connect and express himself. But as his health declined, he could no longer keep up with the demands of performing. His bandmates, concerned for his well-being, had to make the painful decision to remove him from the group. That loss hit him hard—he felt as though his music, and a piece of his identity, had been taken from him. After leaving the band, my father’s addiction resurfaced. Though he was under medical care and prescribed oxycodone for pain, he began abusing it, injecting the medication with diabetic needles. I remember walking into the bathroom and finding him unconscious, having to pull the needle out of his arm. Those moments were deeply traumatic, and they left lasting scars...

  The last time I used drugs was a week-long misery that changed my life forever. I had given up crack, and by the grace of God, the desire for it had completely left me. However, I was still struggling with fentanyl. For an entire week, I stayed in a dark room, only waking up to buy more fentanyl. I couldn't function or take care of myself. My hair became matted, and I was soaked in urine. It was a low point that felt impossible to escape. Then, I found out that a ride was on its way to take me to rehab. In a moment of desperation, I snorted one last 20. That decision led to an overdose. But that wasn't the end of my story—it was the beginning of my recovery journey. The overdose was a wake-up call that pushed me towards seeking help and embracing the support around me. Rehab wasn't easy, but it was necessary. It gave me the tools to rebuild my life and find hope again. Today, I'm grateful for every step of my journey, no matter how painful it was at the time. If you...

     Today, I’ve been thinking a lot about my past. It’s a journey that feels like a lifetime ago, and I realize now that I could never go back to my old life. I don’t think I would fit in anymore. I remember in 2008 when I first started attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings. It was a pivotal moment for me. I heard someone say that Narcotics Anonymous ruined them from ever being able to enjoy getting high again. At the time, it sounded strange, but now it makes perfect sense. When you don’t know, you don’t know. But once you know, you know.     In my past, when I was using, I fit that lifestyle so well. It was a part of me, and I couldn’t imagine anything different. But now, after living a clean and sanctified life, I understand that there is a better way to live. The clarity and peace I have found are incomparable to the chaos of my past. If I ever went back, I wouldn’t know how to fit in. The person I was then is not who I am now. The experiences and growth I...

  Why did I decide to change my life?      I reached a point where I was utterly exhausted from not functioning as a human being. The weight of my struggles had become unbearable, and I knew I needed a transformation. It became clear to me that I needed a profound change to move forward. How did I achieve this transformation?  I embarked on a transformative journey, deeply influenced by the profound wisdom and unwavering support of Narcotics Anonymous. Their invaluable suggestions and encouragement played a pivotal role in my recovery process. Alongside this external guidance, I found immense solace and strength in the grace of a higher power—God. This harmonious blend of external support and inner spiritual strength became the driving force that propelled me toward significant and positive change in my life. Remember, every step counts, and seeking help is a sign of courage . 

      I am a living testament to the power of God’s Grace and the help Narcotics Anonymous can give. Despite a turbulent past, I have overcome immense challenges and found my purpose in life.  I was immersed in a life of crime of every sort you could imagine; I did every drug known to man. I was involved in drug dealing with international drug ties, spent time behind bars, pimped out and sold women, and even dabbled in the occult. I did things most people would be ashamed to say they did. The darkness seemed endless, and hope felt like a distant dream. I felt I had lost my soul and I was merely existing.     But everything changed when I encountered my higher power. As you will learn from my testimony... God moved mountains more than once and performed miracles to bring me to where I am today. His love and mercy broke through the chains of addiction and despair that once held me captive. Through faith... I found redemption, forgiveness, and a sense of purpo...

          I was addicted to drugs for a long time. But once I started using Fentanyl I went on a downward spiral. However, due to long-term drug abuse, it was the only thing that made me feel high anymore. Even though I knew it was killing me, I had tried to quit many times, but I always relapsed. Because every time I went to detox my goal was to just get off the fentanyl, but not the other drugs. This time was different because I fully surrendered. I was willing to do anything.    I had begged my mom for four days to find me anywhere to go to detox. I knew I needed medical detox to get off the amount of drugs I was on. She finally got ahold of Blackberry Hospital in St. Cloud, FL. They arranged to pick me up. Two hours later a woman named, Michelle, was at my home to pick me up. I snorted my last $20 bag of fentanyl right before she arrived. Thinking like a drug addict, I thought leaving it would "waste" it. The first hour of the ride, I slept. T...