Free’s Story

Recovery Triumph: Crack Cocaine and Alcohol

It was November 3, 2003, and I had been on a three-day crack binge. I was homeless, jobless, broke, strung out, and facing three years in prison on a third felony grand larceny charge. To avoid jail and dodge having my bond revoked for failing drug screens, I ran to a residential treatment program. The program was a year long, but I had planned to stay only long enough to get through my legal issues. I had been through treatment before, but could stay clean just for three to six months at a time. It’s crazy how addiction works. Every relapse started with that first beer. It wouldn’t be long before I’d be drinking way more than I planned, and soon I’d be back on crack.

While in treatment the last time I spent time thinking about my life, where I was, and where I was headed if some things didn’t change. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to stay clean–or even could. I just knew I didn’t want the life I had. I did the groups in the treatment center. I started going to Narcotics Anonymous. I took the suggestions, got a sponsor, joined a home group, did service work, and worked the Twelve Steps. I actually used the treatment center as a place to stay, eat, and have some level of accountability in my life. I worked hard. I was a high school dropout, so I worked on my GED while there. I ended up passing the GED and finished the twelve-month program in eight months. So I decided to enroll in college.

I attended the local community college for two years, then transferred to a four-year university. I received my bachelor’s degree in social work and carried a 4.0 average. I then decided to go for my master’s degree. I again graduated with honors, a 4.0, and could call myself a MSW. While in school I started doing internships at a local community services board, where I worked in the outpatient substance abuse programs. At the end of my first two years of college, I was hired as a substance abuse counselor. I have worked for that agency, in that role, for almost six years now. Another blessing that recovery has given me, besides my beautiful wife and kids, is the opportunity to go back to my community college as an adjunct professor. I teach mental health and psychology classes. I love teaching and find it very rewarding.

When I stop and think about my life and where I have come in the almost eight years I have been clean, it can overwhelm me. I never would have thought I would be where I am today. Recovery has given it to me. I only try to give to others what was so freely given to me. You too can recover.

—Free, MSW, CSAC