True Stories of Addiction: Dustin
Dustin’s affair with drugs started just like most people: drinking and smoking pot when he was young. He was enamored with the Grateful Dead, and was a “dead head” in that scene for the early nineties until the band’s front man, Jerry Garcia died. Then he moved on to the rave scene and continued the partying and drug use.
First Encounter with Crystal Meth
The first time Dustin tried Crystal Meth was in the mid-nineties. It was laid out in lines like Cocaine, but the feeling it gave him was terrible. He laid in bed for three days, just staring off miserably and wishing it would end. At that point, Dustin didn’t think the drug was for him.
A few years later, though, he came across people smoking Crystal Meth at an afterparty. He tried it this time and actually enjoyed himself. It was the beginning of a dark romance.
While he went in and out of sober periods around his daughter’s birth and other instances, it never lasted and he would wind up in the lowest of circumstances again. One of his lowest points of active addiction was in 2008, when he was arrested for the armed robbery of a cab driver. While this was bad, it wasn’t enough to break the addiction.
He worked the Alpha program in Maricopa County Jail after that, but he hadn’t experienced a true shift in himself yet and relapsed three days after his release.
The Path to Recovery
Despite his relapse, the Alpha program planted the seed of recovery in him and after his release, he wound up in a few different sober living homes. In these homes is where he truly became acquainted with recovery. Dustin struggled with the frequent mention of God, and wanted to run away every time spirituality came up.
Unfortunately, after five years of probation, the disease of addiction still had a firm grip on him. Dustin no longer felt the need to stay clean without the probation to worry about. He started using again, this time intravenously as his addiction took a turn for the worst.
The immediacy and intensity of the high achieved from intravenous use allowed the claws of addiction to sink in deeper. Dustin was using Crystal Meth on a daily basis, and this continued for about 10 years. His obsession was so strong that he was triggered to use even when he took his son to get shots at the doctor. Seeing the tiny drop of blood grow where the needle had been brought him to his knees.
Dustin’s Final Turning Point
Dustin hit a turning point one rainy day, after looking up an old friend he had used with in the past. His friend had stopped using and in his picture, he was looking good in a suit and tie in. This struck a chord inside of Dustin.
Just then, the lights went out because the electricity hadn’t been paid. Dustin didn’t want to go out on his bike, in the rain, to pay for more power. Amidst this gloomy mess he found himself in, he just started crying. He was so miserable in that point of his life, tortured about where he had ended up.
It was shortly after that when he decided to get clean for good and he sought treatment. Dustin was so desperate for recovery that he would have done anything for it, but what the treatment professionals had to say was quite simple. They suggested that he go to meetings, get a sponsor, get a service commitment and find a connection to a power greater than himself.
This is when it hit him that it doesn’t have to be God, just a higher power. Since then, service and giving to other people is when he feels that higher power in action. Interacting with others is what makes him feel connected to something greater than himself.
He gained hope, seeing others who had accomplished years of recovery, but he was powerless to addiction even then. When he found a sack of dope, he had to use it. He relapsed and was high for a few days, but knew in his heart that something had changed. He could tell that this was going to be it.
It was difficult for Dustin to realize that there is no instant gratification in recovery. He accepts the work now that must be done to fix things in his life that were broken by addiction. He ran from his problems for years and years, but now he is sorting through those consequences.
After more than three years clean, he has rebuilt his life; he has a home, a car and a fantastic job. What he is most grateful for, though, is to just to wake up in the morning. He is happy to wake up to a good life and not have to wonder how he will get by for the day or where he will hide.
For Dustin, it took a long time to seek the help he needed and get clean for good. He is lucky, though, as close to 500,000 people lose their lives to drugs each year in the U.S. If you think you are headed down the dark path of addiction and want to make a change, we can help you take the first step. Give us a call at (866) 578-7471.
33 comments
Meth is so addictive, seen it take the lives of a few of my friends back in the day. Glad I never tried the stuff. I wish Dustin the best.
Wow so cool he looked up his old friend and saw he was doing good, hope more people can get inspired like this too if they look up an old friend.
It’s great it’s good to hear that’s somebody recovers from addiction.
I’m glad his friend Jerry could be the different and pin prick for him. His death struck a chord in him and jolted him back to the bright side of life. Amazing one.
When I see the photo of this man, it’s look like he just came from dark side to the light side. Thanks for sharing your story.
I have heard so much good news about this program. I think this program is really best for others who have been suffering from addiction and alcohol.
Meth is such a deadly drug and very addictive. He being in such a tough state of addiction very well get out of it.
Thank God for that turning point in his life, and his determination to be free from drugs. Dustin stay focused and stay strong. Detox to rehab thank you for sharing this story.
This meth substance is killing but thank God you were able to recover. It is God’s doing.
Every addict has that turning point in their lifes when they know or have that inner conviction that they ought to stop using drugs and go for treatment. Glad Dustin realised his and heeded to the call for a change.
Indeed the miracle of recovery so powerfull,after stay away from that drug, first time we can imagine how I Will be after recovered,and I can see how amazing your life since clean from it
Having the right association in life helps a lot. Dustin was saved by simply looking up to his old friends.
Recovery from alcohol and drug is a good thing that can happen to any addict. Thanks to Detox Rehab.
Despite Dustin’s experience, he had to take that step of being recovered from the addiction. Glad he made it. Thanks for sharing
I am glad Dustin didn’t die from drug abuse, and also for the day he visited his friend who was once a drug users like him. This marked the turning point in his life and it triggered the need for a change from the life of a drug addict to being sobber.
Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.Addiction is not the solution of any kind of problem.Addiction will effect our daily life.It will destroy our immune system.
This is a life he ought to have being but was denied because of addiction. Welcome to the real world of life.
Congratulations to Dustin on his recovery. Please, never go back to addiction.
Thank you Dustin for sharing and motivating us. Really I look forward to focus one the works rather than bad habit.
Happy for Dustin for the recovery and restoration. It is very good to have close associate that can help you or you can reach out to for help. Good to hear of this.
The article has stated that Dustin was desperate for recovery and I believe that this was the turning point of his life. This desperation led him to fight his addiction. Unfortunately, most of the addicts are only desperate to fulfill the needs and satisfy the urges that are caused by addiction. We need to focus more on recovery rather than seeking out pleasure just to satisfy the urges.
I love this new part he is on now. So glad he got the lasting solution he wanted.
I really feel sorry for people who go back to drugs after going sober for some time. Dustin’s drug addiction is so strong and I can only imagine what he went through to fight his demons. I’m glad the picture changed his life for good. this is so emotional
Really helpful information,glad he’s okay now.
Dustin will know the difference between freedom. Recovery is sweet but it takes alot of sacrifices to get here
After recovering, we see life in a new world, things get more interesting and new. We tend to appreciate nature and life more
Justin’s turn point is an eloquent testimony to drug addicts out there that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Big thanks go to Detox for giving hope to the hopeless. Bravo!
The turning point of Dustin really touched me. He was able to realize the change he can undergo once he stopped using Meth. Good job on being sober.
It’s a terrible and pathetic thing to indulge in substance abuse. Taking a bold step to take over the problem is the right step in the right direction.
Dustin turning point is the most important aspect for me considering his story. He recognizing a greater power, not just God but in rendering help or services to others. And that was the beginning of his recovery
Good to hear this story. It’s very inspiring. Hope everyone will find it’s way for a new better life.
Inspiring story, thank you Dustin for sharing it. You have now a good life, keep it up!
Anyone that is delivered from addiction of drugs and alcohol needs to be congratulated. Happy for Dustin, you are doing well.