Paul was raised as a Mormon in Mesa, Arizona. He was not raised around drugs or alcohol because it was against their religion. He was raised with everything any kid could ever want. He started to be molested at a very early age. This caused him to always question his sexuality. As a teenager, Paul enjoyed skateboarding and partying.
In counseling, Paul found out that his mother had multiple personality disorder. His mother had several different personalities. There was one that was 20, one that was his mom, one that would drive, and one that hated men.
Paul and his dad had to deal with the grunt of the personality that hated men, Lynn. At 14, Paul started to run away to try to get away from his mother. Paul started to use weed regularly because it helped him to feel as though he could escape from the life he was living.
Eventually, he decided that he liked the way that weed made him feel so much, that he wanted to see how other drugs would make him feel. This is when he started to use harder drugs.
By 15 years old, Paul started shooting up meth and did them for many years. He ended up getting in trouble multiple times and going in and out of juvenile hall. He was committed to Adobe Mountain.
He was released after six months and started going to different rehab facilities. The facilities weren’t able to have the impact on him that was intended, though because he wasn’t ready to get clean.
Using Drugs as the Ultimate Escape
Paul didn’t think that he had a problem with drugs and alcohol and thus wasn’t able to get clean. He thought that as long as he was feeling good there was no reason to not do it. Paul thought that the problem was with everyone else, not with him.
He wanted everyone to leave him alone so he could live his life the way he wanted to live it. He started using any and every drug that he could get his hands on as a way to escape from his reality.
He spent most of his teenage years running and getting high. After being released from Adobe, he stopped doing meth and turned to other drugs to get his fix. He was going to raves and doing ecstasy, acid and ketamine.
He was able to hold down two jobs and get off of probation during this time.
Paul realized that he wasn’t getting into as much trouble when he wasn’t using meth. He realized that he had been doing illegal things as a way to get money to buy meth. He was able to get his life on track for the most part.
Paul started dating a girl who introduced him to prescription pills. He thought that they would be a lesser evil than the other drugs that he had been doing. He ended up becoming addicted to the pills and started doing them more and more. This led to him losing both of his jobs and start doing illegal activities again.
The Worst Parts of Paul’s Addiction
Paul eventually found that his prescription pill addiction was too pricy for him to maintain. Instead of continuing with his pill use, he turned to heroin to get his fix. It was far more affordably and very readily available to him. Within a few months, he started shooting up heroin.
He rented an apartment through the Cartel and started delivering drugs for him. The dealer introduced him to crack and that’s when life took a huge turn for the worst. He was so deep in the throes of addiction that he didn’t even want to live anymore.
He contacted his parents and let them know how bad his addiction was. They found the best rehab facility available and paid for him to go to the treatment center. He was so deep in his addiction that he didn’t want to go. He thought if he separated himself from the company he was keeping, he could get clean.
He moved to Chicago to try to get clean. Dope was even easier to get once he moved. He was only clean for less than a year before he was deep into addiction again. He started doing a lot of illegal activities and taking advantage of his dad in every way possible. His parents had enough and eventually he was kicked out of his apartment. On September 29, 2010, he decided to go to a detox facility because he had no way to get high again. He didn’t want to get sick so he figured that was his best option.
Paul Finds Recovery
When he finally went to the detox facility, he was determined that he didn’t want to go through withdrawals. He went in with the intention of using again in the future, but just didn’t want to feel the withdrawal symptoms that come with detoxing. He met someone working in the facility who introduced him to Alcoholics Anonymous.
Someone in the meeting told him that he should try rehab. Paul said he had tried many times with no success. The man told him perhaps he should just take a break. He decided to take the man’s advice and went to the Salvation Army and got a sponsor who had been through similar events.
For four and a half years, Paul went to a meeting every day. He worked the steps, made his amends and had his life back on track. He started dating a girl who had a medical marijuana card. His fifth year into sobriety, he started cutting back on his meetings.
He eventually got his own medical marijuana card and started smoking again. He then started to dabble in other drugs and found that he had given up on everything good and fell back into doing heroin again.
He ended up relapsing for almost nine months. After five days of detoxing, he came home to his fiancé’s parents and his parents holding an intervention. The wedding was canceled, and he had to start over again.
This caused him to earnestly start his road to sobriety. After getting a sponsor and working the steps, Paul was able to get and stay away from drugs. In treatment, Paul rebuilt his life and was able to get everything back on track. Today Paul is a strong man who has great compassion for those who are still suffering from addiction. In the end, Paul made it through.
38 comments
Paul neglected his family for drugs. Life taught him clear lessons that nothing in this world can replace the family. Upon realizing his mistake, everything back on track for him.
It not only affects the drug addict, but also his family and society.this world can replace the family. Upon realizing his mistake
What a traumatic thing to go through as a child – being molested and having a mother with multiple personality disorder. I hope Paul stays sober!
The first step to overcoming addiction is to realise there is a need for salvation. This is such an amazing and traumatic experience. So happy for you man
So happy to hear the 12 steps worked.
Paul though he could find solace in those addictions but was entirely wrong. It took a while but I’m happy he eventually got the picture. Nothing beats being sober.
This is so sad, having to leave everything you ever cared for in life just for pleasure of drugs. It is really sad . And I want to appreciate detox for making him see light.
Paul isn’t the only victim in this regard. Every drug and alcohol addict usually neglect their responsibility to the family. This happens because they don’t have control over their actions and inactions.
a lot of people use drugs because it makes them feel good about themselves..the fact that Paul had a religious background didn’t stop him from taking drugs… I hate the fact that he used all kinds of drugs to to escape reality..so sad he found help and finally went to a detox facility..I’m glad his life is now back on track..thanks for sharing
Paul story is a very emotional one. Am glad the 12 steps was able to help him out. Thanks Detox for assisting him.
Paul’s story is really Inspiring and Motivating.
It’s Good to know the 12 steps programs is effective in Recovery from Addiction.
This is so emotional and inspirational also. Addiction took over his family and others but I’m so glad and happy that he’s on a oerfet path of recovery.
Addiction separates people from their loved ones. It breaks every healthy relationship that one has built.
Running and getting high at such a young age really had its way but thank God you’re coming back. Keep it up, Detox for the help and support
What a disaster! Addiction enslaves. It isn’t a good habit.
The truth is drug can never really bring satisfaction in any way. Paul has learnt a great lesson that important things should not be ignored.
This story is a pathetic one. Thank God is an unpleasant one.
Turning to heroin In a circumstances to get a fix always turn out the worse. The s is what happened here to Paul. His issue became worse with drugs
Doing drugs can make you do so many nasty things to the point of neglecting your family because of drugs,thank God Paul found recovery from drug abuse. Nothing or no one can replace your family, detox to rehab thank you for sharing this amazing story of recovery.
It is true that due to drugs, many relationships become disillusioned. We have to part with many things. We should leave drugs and addiction and start a clean life. Thanks for sharing this blog.
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.
Neglected family just for drug,wow its worst, happiness just for a while but suffering forever,hope you get back your family and sober , because family is number one
Detox facility is just the best in helping with addictions so far. So happy for you dear
Detox facility is just the best in helping with addictions so far. So happy for you dear
God bless detox for the good work. This is just an amazing experience. Thank God for your life
Paul has gone into a severe addiction. But, good that he found a way to recover though.
The first thing affected is ones loved family when doing drugs. Addiction makes it all about you while it should be all about your family as a parent. I just bless God for a new life you gat
This story makes me so emotional, it isn’t just right to be neglected it comes with it own sets of pains which can lead to any addiction. but glad you fought the addiction to win
Those days were very much disappointing for him . family is the strength and he have leave due to the problem that is really worst.. Now good to see him and his family together.
You can replace everything you loved with drugs. When addiction strikes, The only thing you know is just drugs.
This is quite an emotional story. Paul had to deal with a lot of things almost at the same time. I am glad however, that you had the will power to go to rehab. I wish him all the best.
Paul made a mistake by casting his family aside when he needed them. Addiction required love from our loved ones for us to recover. Glad he realized his mistake and find solution.
Family plays an important role in our everyday life. Paul neglected his loving family, which led to his addiction. Glad that he eventually his path to recovery.
The problem with that ” ESCAPE” is it comes with a cost. I know everything has but with drugs or addiction it is different, Once it gets a hold of you it takes control. So much so that nothing matters, It is sad but its reality.
Glad that Paul got his life back. Many facing addiction challenges always need the love and care of their family.
Drug addiction makes you do the unthinkable, I know paul went through a lot and he allowed the drugs to get the better of him. But I am happy he he got the desired help he needed and is a better person now.
Life is really hard if no one understands your struggles. Do not try to hide it. Try to ask help and guidance.
Paul’s journey from cradle has been truly been a downward spiral. And it’s once more as many cases of victims of drug abuse, emphasize the important role of a stable family in producing a stable individual and clean citizen. It’s however comforting and thrilling that he found help and now the past is past.