Justin grew up surrounded by drugs and alcohol, his first time getting drunk was while he was dove hunting with his dad, at the age of 5.
“All we had was beer. They didn’t bring any juice boxes for the kid or anything so I ended up chugging Budweiser Tall Boys,” Justin said.
When he was 13, Justin began regularly taking pills.
“I was stealing them from people, my mom and dad. I got into cocaine later on in high school.”
Justin said everything took a turn for the worst when he was 17 and tried Heroin for the first time.
“I always felt different, I always had this feeling of inferiority toward everybody.”
The first time he went to rehab was also when he was 17, but he didn’t finish the program.
“I was still young, stupid and immature, so I really didn’t soak in what was being taught to me in that rehab. I actually ended up getting kicked out for doing drugs in the rehab. I just wasn’t ready.”
He continued his downward spiral, going in and out of jail. When he got out in 2008 he decided that he was ready.
“That was the first time that I actually had an honest desire to change.”
Justin got clean and started going to 12 step meetings.
“Life was really good, I was able to maintain a job. I had things in my life that I never had while using Heroin.”
Relapse
“I’d love to say relapse isn’t a part of my story, but it is … Complacency and not doing the things that were suggested within the 12 step program, I eventually started using again.”
Where he was living, Heroin wasn’t an easy thing to get. His best friend found some about 30 minutes away. They were working in the area so when they got off they picked it up and got high before they headed back home.
“I remember us driving home, and I remember leaning on the door in his Honda Civic and it being the most beautiful feeling I’ve ever felt in my life.”
Justin can even remember the song that they were listening to and every time he hears it, he can remember how much he liked that feeling.
“The problem with that is, that every time after that is never the same. It’s never the same, but I was really attracted to the way that made me feel.”
He met his wife will he was out partying, soon after she started doing opiates with him.
The Overdose
“It was her first time ever doing it, and it was my first time touching Heroin in several years. We had an overdose that should have costed us our life.”
Justin helped her shoot up, then did himself. When he turned back to look at her he instantly knew something was wrong.
“My wife was laid back, turning blue, I began to freak out. I got on the phone and immediately called 911.”
Justin was able to tell the dispatcher that his wife was having an overdose, but since he had used too he was becoming more and more incoherent, he passed out before the dispatcher could figure out exactly where they were.
“The only thing that save our live is that when I passed out my phone was still on the hook and the 911 dispatcher was able to get our GPS coordinates and [the paramedics] got there to save us right on time.”
When Justin came to after the overdose he was in the hospital.
“Immediately [I was thinking] holy shit I just murdered my wife with Heroin. I began freaking out, they had to keep me under control.”
Thankfully they both lived. Unfortunately, this near death experience didn’t stop him from using until sometime later.
Recovery
“I have been given way too many chances, I’d like to continue to stay clean and continue to work on being a better person in honor of my friends who have passed away because of this disease.”
Going back to Phoenix has helped Justin reconnect with other people in recovery.
“They don’t shame me or anything mane, it’s all love. It’s an incredible feeling … My life gets infinitely better when I get clean … I don’t mean better by financially better, those things happen as a byproduct of it, but I mean just feeling good about myself, having the ability to like the person that I am.
Justin has a full-time job working in the recovery field.
“the world is a beautiful place, depending on how I choose to look at it … I have a nice positive perspective on the world today. Please get help don’t be another statistic.”
47 comments
Wow, Justin’s story is extra sad because he was essentially born into it. It’s amazing how your environment can affect substance abuse. I mean of course, there are lots of reasons that people fall into addictions, but it almost feels like Justin didn’t have a chance – drinking at 5????! Wonderful that he’s doing so well now. It can feel embarrassing to need multiple “second chances” but it’s worth it.
Love fill the void, genuine love can heal faster. Happy you staying clean, keep been clean J.
Your post are so good to share to people in such situations too. They will definitely have a turnaround if they learn good from your articles.
Justin’s story is extra dismal in light of the fact that he was basically naturally introduced to it. It’s astonishing how your current circumstance can influence substance misuse.
It´s impressive how emotional problems create the perfect conditions to make many people fall into addictions. It´s very unfair cause all that people need is to have support from others and find the right direction.
So commendable that Justin was able to beat his demons and provide support for other users. Utilizing past struggles to do good is very gratifying especially when it’s life saving. I hope this message reaches a lot of people in need of solace.
I’m sadden by this story, father’s need to do better. It becoming really appalling exposing young kids to things that will be detrimental to their health and well-being, Good luck Justin
Good advice from Justin, please those that need help should please get help and avoid being a part of any statistics. it will be more helpful that way
I understand this and yet I do not. I mean I understand the fact that at times we hold on to anything as we all felt that void one thing or the other. That said the issue stems from the fact that we are holding on to wrong things let alone wrong people. I would never suggest drugs though because at the end of the day, It adds to the fire rather than solve it,
It is good for parents to look out on their kids. It helps a lot.
Feeling the emptiness with wonderful people that shows love is really a fast medicine to heal. Lovely stories, helps people alot.
Addicts need all the help they can get. The most effective is from their own family’s support and guidance. Some addicts do want to get out from such things. With the help from the family, they can eventually move to a better place.
Your post are so good to share to people in such situations too. I would never suggest drugs though because at the end of the day, It adds to the fire rather than solve it. Thanks for sharing this blog.
In my opinion, the void left by heroin addiction is best filled by finding fruitful activities to engage in. A good example would be taking up a new hobby or learning a new skill.
The last line is apt. The world will always remain a beautiful place it just for us to let joy jump in and everything will be fine. That’s only positive energy.
Justin’s experience is Motivating and Encouraging.
Having a nice positive perspective on the world today will give more reasons to wanting Recovery from Addiction.
Please get help don’t be another statistic
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.
Drug addicts need all the support and help to fill the video in their life.
This particular story is so sad and also let it be known that it all start from our type background. Our background needs to check to help reduce addiction.
Well, you need to fill the gap that is left behind with something else. Substances have a way to fill someone with an urge and that urge must be controlled by being devoted to something. Stay sober and work hard to maintain that.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Justin. Your recovery process was amazing so happy for you .
It´s impressive how emotional problems create the perfect conditions to make many people fall into addictions. It´s very unfair cause all that people need is to have support from others and find the right direction.
Justin got initiated at a young age; 5 at that. He had a taste and wanted more addictions. Would have definitely been some hard fight. I’m happy he knows better now.
Absolutely, addiction hits brain hard and it is not easy to leave the habit. You get hooked up till it gets to the point where you can not leave it. You therefore must work extra to make yourself sober.
The stories are always inspirational, I like how the recovery part of the stories, it shows that we can all survive addictions it is to make effort at it.
Thank God for second chance, Justin was born into alcohol and drug abuse. Thank God he found his way to recovery, and he was able to fill the void left by his addiction. Detox to rehab thank you for sharing this wonderful story of recovery.
It is sad that Justin’s parents orchestrated this horrible path. Good Value are really needed to be inculcated to our ward(s). I am happy for your boldness when you feel the first time didn’t work and you have to try again. Congratulations on your recovery man.
Life happens and at times circumstances like these lead us to a dark path. However these stories also show that while we have the capacity for destruction we also have the power to change. It all depends on one thing. CHOICE.
I mean of course, there are lots of reasons that people fall into addictions. It´s very unfair cause all that people need is to have support. That said the issue stems from the fact that we are holding.
This is a very pathetic story about Justin. Heroin addiction always leave a mark in the life of its users. Glad he was able to find recovery.
Heroin addiction is not a good for the human mind. It always leave a void capable of making the mind go sour for years. Glad that Justin was able to find a way out and live his life.
Happy for Justin that he was able to fill the void. His story further shows that addiction can cause so many trouble and challenges in life.
This is a form of story that needed to be told to all addicts who believed they they cannot recover. Lucky you guy.
It is disheartening seeing parents doing what is wrong in the presence of their kids,it could destroy their live forever, Thank God for Justin recovery and thanks to detox to rehab for sharing and doing the good work
Truly heroine addiction in no small measure is destructive and deadly. However, it is heart warming that Justin eventually overcame his addiction.
Such a disheartening story. Some many things have gone and sacrificed for being an addict (homes, jobs, friends and family). I just wish I could turn back times for you Justin. God will guide and restore you completely.
Hmmm, that was a close one Justin and his wife. Thank God they are still alive. And please Justin I know you have relapsed before, but please now that you are sober stay that way for your sake and future. God give you the strength.
When there is life there is still hope for a better future. Parents really needs to pay enough attention to their children. Getting drunk at age 5 show he wasn’t in good relationship with his dad. Thanks to God for recovery anyways
This post has clearly demonstrated that heroine addiction could make people to have unhealthy lifestyle. Nonetheless, recovery is better.
Heroine abuse is very detrimental to people’s health.It is advisable to jettison such habit for sound living.
Oh my! That was a close shave for Justin and his wife. Glad he finally gave in to get treatment and I hope he remains clean. I do hope his wife also got treatment.
Am happy for Justin despite the fact the foundation was faulty… Am glad he made it out… Thanks for sharing.
This story is near death of addict,but this guy don’t aware that is worst, even he feel different with hisself , until in the lowest points he start rehab without relapse,me and other always hope you keep sober forever
Justin full time job for recovery is quite impressive. Thanks for sharing
Problems and Challenges sometimes make people do what they are not supposed to do.
Addiction creates more problem and I’ll say we should be more careful when taking decisions.
Justin has been given too many chances to turn his life around, and he really struggled and faltered on his road to get himself thoroughly clean and on the way to complete recovery. Not a lot of people are given such chances. I am very glad that he really and finally got himself the help he needed and he is now set for a better even more wonderful life ahead.
It’s amazing how your environment can affect substance abuse. There are lots of reasons that people fall into addictions, It can feel embarrassing to need multiple “second chances” but it’s worth it.