Drug Addiction Disease
Andrew was raised in a stable home; his external circumstances weren’t the cause of his drug addiction disease. His parents had a healthy relationship, he was loved and well cared for. Moreover, his home was free from any childhood trauma or neglect.
As a young man, Andrew participated in band and all kinds of extra-curricular activities, and maintained good grades throughout his time in school. Andrew states that there was nothing in his upbringing that would point to him developing drug and alcohol addiction.
While his childhood didn’t put him at risk for addiction, something inside him stirred, leading Andrew to seek out mind and mood-altering substances. At an early age, Andrew was taught that drugs were bad, not to smoke cigarettes and to stay in school. Drugs were never around, and his first exposure to the world of drugs came through the D.A.R.E. program in 5th grade.
He recalls the police officer teaching the class about how a person might make meth, having never tried a drug or a drink. Andrew found himself curiously taking notes from his seat in the back of the class and thinking that he’d probably smoke Marijuana later in life.
Drug Use and Abuse
He tells us that Marijuana was never offered to him, so at age 14, he sought the drug out himself. “I did like it,” Andrew said about his experience, “I liked it a lot. I didn’t know why I just knew it made me feel good.” He continued to smoke pot day after day until he ran out; this didn’t stop him though, and he went out and got more. It was here that his addiction was born.
Within the same year, Andrew began to binge drink. His first experience with Alcohol left him blacked out and soiled in his own vomit. He tells us that he barely remembers the night, only that it was fun. Soon after, Alcohol became a regular substance in his high school experience.
Quickly he progressed into prescription pills, and soon after that, Cocaine. Looking back Andrew admits that he didn’t draw a single sober breath the entire four years of high school.
It became easy to maintain his perfect image; on the outside, he appeared as a happy, successful student and despite his problems of substance abuse. Andrew still managed to graduate with college credits and a partial scholarship to Yavapai college.
He admits that when he arrived at college, out of the nest and away from his parents, his perfect image began to slip away. He didn’t care to hide it and he was unable to comprehend that other students didn’t use drugs and Alcohol to the extremes that he did.
His life was completely shaped by addiction, his job at the dog spa kept him isolated from people and his circle of friends became limited to those he used with and bought drugs from.
Opioid Addictions and Seeking Treatment
A couch surfing friend changed the course of Andrew’s addiction drastically by introducing him to OxyContin. “I acquired a taste for the OxyContin’s and got insanely hooked on those.”
An injury and a prescription kept his habit for a bit, but eventually, the prescription ran out, and the cost of buying pills became too much. As with many people addicted to prescription Painkillers, Andrew switched over to using Heroin.
Using Heroin began a downward spiral for Andrew. “Smoking it for the first three or four months and then discovering the needle, and that’s where it was done after that, and it just got worse and worse from there.”
After a long and exhausting night on a Hallucinogen, LSD, Andrew describes a moment of realization. Looking around his apartment and seeing the filth his life had become, he curled up into the fetal position and began to question everything.
This was a moment that woke Andrew up to the fact that he needed help. After that night, he reached out and got help at a drug addiction treatment center.
Addiction Relapse and Drug Overdose
There were multiple attempts at getting clean. After entering treatment his second time, Andrew relapsed in the treatment center after 60 days. He felt defeated and yet he still managed to talk his way home and back into the loving arms of his family with only 6 days sober.
He had them convinced that he was better and that the doctors and therapists were wrong. However, the power of his addiction didn’t spare him for long.
Soon, Andrew had a job at a brewery and a healthier girlfriend; yet, it didn’t last long, and his addiction progressed back to using Heroin.
After overdosing on Heroin several times, Andrew found himself back in a rehab facility. This time, though, was different: he was listening, eager to shed the habits of his addiction. After completing 90 days in rehab receiving treatment for his disease, Andrew went straight into a sober living home.
Sober Living Recovery
Like Andrew, many people in recovery from addiction speak to the radical changes and opportunities in their lives. He was offered a job as a house manager at the sober living house he was residing at.
Additionally, Andrew earned the respect and support of his family again. While managing the sober living home, Andrew met his wife-to-be. Shortly thereafter, he was offered a job at an intervention company located in Illinois.
Due to many opportunities resulting from his recovery, he is financially stable and has paid off all his debts from addiction. Today, Andrew is happy spreading a message of hope to anyone struggling with addiction.
He continues to inspire other people suffering from addiction to go to treatment and helps their families navigate the difficult waters of addiction intervention and recovery. If you want to stop substance abuse and addiction we are here to help, contact us today at (866) 578-7471.
37 comments
drugs arent cool, except weed medically speaking lol
his story is nice, heart worming , I hope all youngmen follow his steps
his story is nice, heart worming , I hope all youngmen follow his steps
This is very serious, a very good background that is free from drugs but still finds his way in. It’s a thing of the mind, that is why we need to guard our heart diligently. So Happy for Andrew because he seeked for help as many died in silence.
What a story. My take on this is, we also have to train our heart. Andre got the proper care required but his heart was not well trained leading to him going astray but I’m glad at the happy ending to his story.
its just so unfortunate that people like Andrew who have a stable home and taught right from childhood the effect of drug still try it out..a lot of people are like that ..drug addiction sucks..while it’s possible for people to relapse in the treatment after some days and feel defeated, I’m glad Andrew once again tried rehab and is now clean..thanks a lot for sharing..I’m really inspired
This story is very interesting and great. Drugs and alcohol are very harmful effects of our body. Don’t take it. Thanks for sharing this blog.
I’ve only known about Opioid now 😅 thanks to this article. This should go viral so as.to.inform many.
Andrew’s addiction is indeed a disease. It is that evil spirit in his mind that prompted him taken to the teaching of the police officer even at age fourteen. He is so lucky for his recovery.
His story is Inspiring and it has impacted all that the Best step to take against Addiction is to seek for Help
Definitely drug abuse is a disease and need to be eradicated. Andrew good that you realize the damage and you are okay now
This means atimes its ones personal decision that makes one do drugs. Even he had extra curriculum activities but he didn’t use. It is really unexpected
This is not only applicable to Andrew. Curiosity is the major reason why majority found themselves in addiction. Though, with the good background of Andrew people might found it unexpected.
Addiction is a disease to everyone. This is because I do not see any health benefits of it but destruction. Thank God Andrew sought help and he got one.
I can’t imagine someone with a very good foundation involving in addiction. It is indeed a disease. Thanks to Detox Rehab programme for their help.
Very emotional and inspirational story. Thank God for Andrew’s determination to be free from his disease of addiction, his story is an inspiration to others out there thinking of quitting the rehabilitation program. You can be sober, stay strong. Detox to rehab thanks for sharing his story.
In recovery for Addicts family support helps a lot. Just like in this case of Andrew, the family became is support system and this help him to radically recover and fully too
Weed can be of great help once properly given to those in need. We just need a regulating body for weed.
Exactly true, addiction is deases isn’t make someone feel fly or everything,but destroy someone life,and you are very smart in school and have a good grade ,keep sober permanently
Truly, addiction is a terrible disease which must be treated before it kills. In view of this, drug addicts should keep away from drug addiction.
Children need to listen to their parents teaching so that it can be well with them and avoid negative friends. It is a good thing to hear about Andrew’s recovery.
Andrew’s story of drug addiction is a pathetic one. Nonetheless, there’s an urgent need for drug addicts to retrace one step before it is too late.
It’s go read that Andrew finally found the strength to be back on track (again). Having his life’s back ^^
I couldn’t agree any less. Something you don’t do before and suddenly you crave for it on a daily sporadically. It’s just alarming. I’m happy he eventually had to come back to his senses and leave all of that behind.
Addiction has a always been a disease to all who experience it. But the best way to cure it is to be vocal about it and source for help if need be to get recovery. I am so happy for Andrew for finding his path to recovery.
This is a very inspirational story especially for someone, who had a good background. But Andrew got side tracked along the way to go into addiction. His story shows that sometimes our heart guides our actions, hence leaving us with the fact to choose diligently . But in the end, i feel happy for Andrew for being vocal about his addiction.
We need to speak out there seriously, i have always thought that people that does drug had issues with their up bringing but this proved me otherwise
Andrew is really lucky I must say, not all have this privilege. We also should learn that not always the fault of parenting that makes some addictive to drugs. Alot can be the reason
His upbringing seems decent initially but after then addiction came into his life. It is good that he conquer over the addiction which was a disease for him.
Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.These stories are really very much inspirational for many people who are addicted with something and try to recover from that.
At times when things go right we always choose to go left. Curiosity? Boredom? I do not like those reasons but hey it happens. Like in this case. Honestly he dig up hos own grave or he was in this mess because of his own choice. Good thing he is out now.
Andrew life story is very interesting and really touch my heart. Thanks for sharing good man, you help a lot of people by sharing your story.
Age between 18-24 is very crucial . At this age many got slipped and Andrew have the story . But it doesn’t matter how it started and matters how its ended. Andrew manage to overcome.
It is quite sad that our curiosity can make us try substances that would later be our addiction. It is good to have a strong self control.
Having the boldness to come outside to talk about your past is just so courageous. I’m so glad he’s happy and doing well now.
Thank you for sharing his story with us! Cheers to Andrew and his choice to get help. I’m really happy to hear his road to recovery. Bless him and his family. Hope he continues on!
Andrew addiction is actually a disease because, I see no reason why a person will wilfully engage in something that can damage his life. It is a miracle that he was able to surrender himself to get treatment. Keep it up.