On August 18th, 2017 — liquor completely shut my pancreas down. I was alone in the hospital room and I begged the nurse, “Please don’t leave me, I think I am dying.” I was dying. Today, at 18 months sober, I start my first day of patient care for my extern. I just graduated from medical assistant school last Thursday. Share my story to show others that they can get back up too!

My downfall started with weed when I was 15. Then, the progression took me through multiple drugs before I found meth. I can remember living in a shed with a guy behind his parent’s house. We wouldn’t sleep for a week at a time. We would use the garden as a bathroom. This guy abused me. He raped me. He took advantage of me. And to deal with this, I self-medicated more.

After a restraining order and years of trying to overcome PTSD, I am officially now over a year in recovery. I am studying nursing and dealing with the autoimmune disease I contracted in active addiction by living a healthy lifestyle in the gym. I am so much happier than I ever thought that I deserved. There is NOTHING that I miss about my old life. Recovery is possible, my photos are proof.

Dear Mom,
Thank you for kicking me out when I wouldn’t stop using. Thank you for never giving me money when I was dope sick . Thank you for not enabling me. Thank you for yelling at me when I wasn’t hearing you. Thank you for removing me from your life. Thank you for talking to my therapists. Thank you for the letters you wrote to me when I was in treatment. Thank you for the phone calls you took when no one else would pick up the phone. Thank you for the prayers you said. Thank you for never lying to me. Thank you for the tears you shed. Thank you for the disappointment I saw in your eyes. Thank you for the nights I slept in a train station. Thank you for forcing me to grow up. Thank you for telling me to, “figure it out." Thank you for being my mom. Thank you for teaching me to be a man. Thank you for not allowing me to play the victim. I see now you knew what you were doing the whole time.

They tell you all the scary stuff, but the scariest thing they don't tell you is that you are gonna love it. You're gonna love it so much, and it will trick you because you just think, 'Oh this is nice, it's not that big of a deal.' I thought it was a blessing because I could focus in school. I did some pretty bad things. Things I would have never imagined myself doing, but it just escalates and escalates. That desperation, and the way that the drugs make you feel... It doesn't even matter at that moment what you do, you just have to get money any how, any way, to get your dope. My own family didn't even know who I was anymore. I didn't even know who I was anymore.
Now I don't feel this constant pressure to have to go out and do something or be somebody that I'm not. I can just focus on being me.

I keep that picture to remind myself where it took me, where I was. I felt defeated. I look at the other picture and I think, 'Wow, I did it.' Today I celebrate my life! 6yrs clean from the grips of meth addiction!
If you are still in the midst of this ugly nightmare please know there is hope.
You too can beat this and have a beautiful life. It is NEVER too late. Forgive yourself and know that you are worthy!
I am blessed to have the love and forgiveness of all that love me! I love my life and I love all my friends and family that have always supported me.

On June 11th 2014 I went to jail for 36 days on a contempt charge. Without delving too deep I'll just say that I was in a really abusive relationship that led to my daughter going to live with my mother. She is my whole world, so when that happened I fell into a deep depression and leaned to my abusive boyfriend for emotional support. His answer to making me feel better was heroin. After 8 months of daily use and a few half assed attempts at getting clean, I told the judge preceding over the guardianship case of my daughter that I had been using and that I needed help. He found me in contempt of court and put me in the county jail until he could find me a bed in a rehab. From there I went to the best rehab in my state. Recovery has been an uphill battle, but now I am at a point where it all just feels like a bad dream.

I'm 30-years-old. I have been battling addiction since I started steroids when I was 19-years-old. I was in prison for 14 months in the state of Ceara in Brazil. I was raised by a fantastic family and there were no signs of this upcoming battle while growing up. I developed an addiction while competing in bodybuilding. Steriods, amphetamine, and cocaine. Last year I was smoking crack on a daily basis. I was the arrogant know-it-all type and I was quite angry, for what reason, I still don't know. But, the emptiness inside was always there until I went to rehab on 5/27/19. Today, I am 78 days sober. I'm humble, because I set my pride aside and asked for help. It saved my life

My name is Matt and I’m an addict. A sports injury at 14 led me to a doctor’s office. That’s where my life changed forever. The doctor transformed me from a regular kid to a drug addict with nothing more than a pen and a prescription pad. The next 6 years were a nightmare. It very quickly went from painkillers to heroin. I lost everything—family, possessions, and was even evicted. A bad car accident led me into recovery on April 21, 2012. I got clean at 20 years old. Today, at 28 I am a father of two, a man who has found God, and a business owner.

Check out this miracle. A once incarcerated heroin addict is now a productive member of society again. I want to thank United Recovery Project for another job well done. Today, my friend Dylan has 18 months clean. He said, “I just want to be famous for a day Kev.” So, let’s make him famous and pass his story around the world.

My biggest tragedy also became my greatest asset - my addiction. I crawled from hell and hitch hiked home, time and time again. Thank god for those who also scraped their knees crawling from the depths of their addictions, only to survive and teach me how to do so as well.

I’m not embarrassed by the photo on the left, because I’m empowered to keep going by knowing how far I’ve come and what I’ve overcame to be the girl on the right.

Oh, and one last thing: Narcan saved my life.

I'm now 21. I battled the addiction for 7 years years and I was on the verge of death. I was living in doorways and just distancing myself from life and anyone who cared for me. I got into trouble with law, lost amazing people, and even lost myself. I got rushed into hospital in July weighing 5 stone 9. That’s a child's weight. I ended up with septis and almost died. It then left me with a serious heart infection called Endocarditis. I am still recovering from it, but I am now 14 weeks clean. It may not seem like a lot to you, but to me it’s amazing. I'm also now 8 stone 4. If I can do it, trust me you can do it. Don’t let anyone else say otherwise.

If I can go from waking up in puddles of my own urine 3-5 days a week to waking up every day and going for a run, then so can you. I learned that I was worth a beautiful life and guess what — so are you!

My name is Alex and today marks 3 years clean from crack and heroin. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. I can’t believe I made it, y’all.

Hi my name is Ryan and I have been to 30 plus treatments and detox’s, 10 overdoses, long term mandated therapeutic alternative to prison, jails, kidney failure and dialysis in the icu for 22 days and 3 major surgeries after nodding out on my arm and leg for 13 hours. Today I have 6 months sober. I swear if I can do it you can. Never give up. Who cares what they say.

Heroin destroyed my life. From the moment I tried it I was hooked. All I cared about was getting that warm rush. I didn’t care about what I looked like, or who I was hurting. I didn’t even care about myself. Two months ago I went to treatment and now I’m in a sober living. Today, I have 53 days sober— and I am thriving. I feel so much happier without the chaos drugs brought into my life!

The difference between these two photos is only 11 months and a lot of hard work. I am 29 years old and i'm a recovering drug addict! I was bound by addiction for 16 years. In February 2014 my body began to give way for the last time - I almost lost my life to my ice. I fight for my life one day at a time! I praise God every day I wake up alive and every night that I am now clean! I now believe I am worthy of recovery and another chance at living a healthy lifestyle!

As Of Today, I Am 4 Years Clean From Drugs. I Have A Career, A House, A Dog, And A Fiancé. It Was A Struggle But It Is Definitely Worth It. Stay Strong!

My past made me who I am but I’m never looking back. This mugshot was a painful reminder of despair. Anyone struggling, please know it only gets better! Life is a gift don’t waste it!

My name is Sarah and I am 29 years old. I started heavily drinking at the age of 15. I was in and out of treatment centers. By the age of 26, I was diagnosed with stage 1 liver disease and alcohol neuropathy. I weighed about 75 pounds. I became paralyzed and lost the ability to walk or use my body. I was told I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I ended up having to get sober in the hospital and I worked my butt off with physical and occupational therapy to learn how to walk again. At 27, I was able to get to treatment for my alcoholism and I have been sober since June 24, 2017 — and I am grateful everyday!

This is my daughter, Bradie. In active addiction, at the age of 18, she contracted endocarditis from her drug use and had to have open heart surgery by 19. She is now 21 and sober for 11 months! My prayers have been answered!

I was addicted to drugs and alcohol for 23 years. Today, I have 4 years sober!

I went from being 89 pounds, addicted to heroin, and s***idal to finally feeling the miracle people in recovery were talking about. It took 9 rehabs and more detoxes than I can count, but one day I got it. With God, anything is possible. Don’t give up.

The first photo to the left was me in my active addiction, using meth, fentanyl, and just about anything I could get my hands on. Homeless, sleeping in cars, on sidewalks, behind dumpsters, or just about anywhere I could find. A complete prey to misery and depression—I was on the verge of s***ide. The picture to the right is me with 72 days clean. I have never felt so much better about myself than I do right now. I currently have 75 days clean and sober from all mind-altering substances. I am so very grateful for this program, the 12 steps, and my higher power, for they have brought light back into my life. I’m pregnant with my son as well, and he’s a huge motivation for my sobriety, but I’m staying clean for myself.

This is reality. On the left, I am running from the cops, strung out on heroin, and getting arrested. I hated my life. I hated myself. I wanted to die. Some days I’d wish I’d just OD and get it over with. Maybe then I’d stop letting everyone down and hurting everyone I loved. I felt like I had nothing to live for. I wouldn’t eat for days at a time. I’d steal money, food, and anything just get that next high. Most of my friends and family had given up on me. I was in and out of rehab several times. I ended up on the run, leaving state, and running from the cops. It was bound to come to an end one day. Nobody can live like that forever. Eventually I ended up getting pregnant. When I found out, I cried for hours on end. How was I supposed to take care of a baby when I couldn’t even take care of myself? Fighting addiction has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my entire life. I believe god knew I needed something bigger than myself to believe in, which is why he brought me my daughter. She gave me something to believe in — something to fight for. She saved my life and I am now celebrating a little over 2 years clean!

He celebrates 5 years clean tomorrow so I figured I would show you what living clean and working a 12 step program can do for you ! BTW anyone is welcome to share his story!! As you all have been with us for this amazing life changing Journey. He was a crack ,heroin, and pill addict for 30 plus years. The 1st photo is in active addiction. The 2nd photo is at 5 years clean. I am so damn proud of him!

My name is Carl and I am 27 years old. I started experimenting with drugs at the age of 13. I was born to a hardworking and honest family. In my 14 year battle with addiction, it brought me to the point of death multiple times but I always somehow managed to survive. However, I only physically survived. It didn't compare to the spiritual anquish and what I felt like at the time was my spiritual death. I was broken completley. Completley sick. I remember waking up at times and wondering how I was still here and even being angry about it at times. The problem was I knew I didn't want to live like that. I wanted to live the way I knew deep down I was capable of living, but I didn't know how to apply it. During my battle of addiction I suffered depression, anxiety, two open heart surgeries that were caused by congestive heart failure and undoubtedly my drug use, hemorrhaged kidneys, multiple seizures, multiple hospitalizations, and overdoses. I was involuntarily admitted to two psychiatric hospitals and attempted seeking redemption at three rehabs. The problem with all that I suffered through during that time period was that none of the pain that occurred during it was comparable to the spiritual agony I was going through. One day I awoke in an abandoned house, withdrawing and looking at my surroundings. I had something that I call a miracle — others call it a spiritual awakening or a moment of clarity. I decided that day I was going to do whatever it takes to not have to live or feel like this, so I entered my third treatment center. I went this time with something I had never experienced before. A open mind and an open heart. I was ready. Sick and tired of being sick and tired as we say. I did whatever I had to do and on October 29th I was released from rehab with the same goal. I was no longer asking why. I knew that even if my purpose was to just help one person fight their way out. That person could change the life of millions and so on. I hope my story changes the mind of at least one of us still suffering and gives them the courage to step up fight and start living. You can, we can, and we do recover.

I was addicted to meth for two years. My mother told me I could sleep outside or I could go get help. I slept outside. Later that night, I decided to go. I did an inpatient/outpatient program and maintained sobriety for about six months. I then relapsed for six more months. I hit a different rock bottom. Everyone in my family was absolutely sick of me and my decisions. Glory to God that I got my head out of my ass. I’ve been sober from meth for two and a half years now. There’s always hope.

From a 98lb crystal meth addict doing the unthinkable to fuel my addiction, escaping jail just to get high and becoming a fugitive on Hawaii’s Most Wanted I hit rock bottom and my future seemed doomed. Everyone gave up on me including myself. Because of my crimes that were fueled by my crystal meth addiction I ended up doing 10 years in a high custody prison. I am free going on 7 years and I now own my own business and I’ve become a motivational speaker. In my 7 years of freedom I spoke to over 150 schools and when I speak to these kids I share with them the dangers of drugs and incarceration. I share my haunting past to influence them to make the right choices. If I can save 1 child from not doing drugs my mission is a success. My name is Kyle and this is my COMEBACK.

For 15 years all I cared about was getting high. I I lost custody of my children, was arrested, and found myself homeless in the end. After many failed attempts at treatment in 2016 something stuck. Today makes 5 years clean for me! Recovery has given me the opportunity to go from a meth addict to a productive member of society working in healthcare.

I got hooked for a number of reasons. Meth is extremely addictive by itself, but I also have a genetic predisposition to addiction and OCD, which makes using stimulants "scratch and itch". I was able to get sober through attempting to get sober, as weird as that sounds. I kept trying and trying until finally I just did. To be more specific about what I did to get sober, I went to meetings, I enlisted the support of those around me by admitting my problem and acknowledging that I was trying to quit, I got private therapy, I started working out/running and I got involved and obtained commitments at sober events so that my attendance would be expected and that helped me to develop a support network of other sober people.

19 years old. I thought I was the most amazing person. I weighed about 100 pounds. I was a dick. I stole from my friends for drugs. I stole from my family for drugs. I lied. Cheated. Hurt very good people. I had no one left besides my step dad when I quit. No one believed me anymore. It was a very hard time. It's been ten years and I am ready to leave the past, in the past. I am not an ex-addict. I am not in recovery. This fall I will walk up on stage and collect my BS in accountancy. I have accomplished so much from that person I was ten years ago. I am a whole, strong, and amazing person and I am damn proud of myself.

People always told us that two “addicts" can never make it, that we should just get a divorce and go our separate ways. Well, we just couldn't accept that solution. In 2010 after the sudden death of my younger brother & after 10 years of active addiction, we had both finally hit bottom...we each went into a Christ-centered recovery center. We spent almost a year apart from each other both determined for a better life. This year, he in May & I in July, we made 9 years clean and sober and free from addiction together! In August we celebrated 11 years of marriage. Through the power of GOD & a ton of forgiveness, we now live our lives as if our past never happened. Our journey has not always been easy but it has been worth every second. Recovery is possible

"19 years of gratitude one day at a time...It is the road worth traveling if you are struggling. Old timers are here to guide us but new comers to sobriety are the greatest gift to this simple program. Of course it's not always easy. First thing I did and continue to do is cut toxic people outta my life, then comes the first step and then freedom (if you work it). Even non-addicts could use the 12 step program to better their lives. To me it's a life program. I am a better man, father, husband, friend, band mate and creative spirit because of this program. I LOOK UP EVERYDAY AND SAY THANK YOU" - Nikki Sixx

I wanted to show people the effects of what meth can do to you and hope to inspire some people who are in addiction or in the process of recovery like I am. No, I'm not proud of the fact I used to do meth. I didn't even realize how disgusting I looked while I was using until after I got clean and realized how awful I looked. Im 5'4 tall and was 110 lbs in the first picture and now I'm at a healthy weight of 130 and proud of it. I just remember seeing others going about their normal lives wondering if I would ever have the ability to live a serene life clean and free of meth - anyone who has been addicted knows exactly what I mean by that. I truly wish the best for anyone trying to beat this nasty addiction... And just know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I am an addict. I’ll always be an addict. Today I’m a grateful addict. I’m grateful for the people I have in my life, for the people who’ve helped me along the way, and continue to help me. Today I’m at peace. After all the relapses time and time again, I continued to try. That’s all we can do. Today I’m clean. Tomorrow I’m going to wake up clean. That’s what matters, one day at a time. Some days are hard and some days are easy. If we keep trying, WE DO RECOVER.

My name is Jorden and I’m an addict. I have used heroin and meth for the last ten years of my life. Just to keep it short and sweet, my inability to deal with life lead to me to a needle and spoon. I lived in complete misery and dereliction for years, feeling sorry for myself and using anyone I could to get my next shot of dope. I’ve had multiple overdoses and many other life threatening situations as a result of my addiction. I lived homeless for years and my family didn’t know what else to do with me. I’ve also been to treatment 8 times, each time I never fully surrendered to any type of program or new way of life. One thing I did do was never stop trying. I came to treatment court ordered for my eighth time on January 1st, 2020. I remember being sick to my stomach that I had to try and do this thing again. The longer I stayed and actually put forth some effort things started to change. I started realizing that drugs were never the problem, my thinking and my reaction to drugs was the problem. Today I’m 6 months clean and I’m blown away at how much better my life has gotten. I have bad days, but I used to have bad months and years. There’s a lot of people that are probably waiting on me to relapse and they have good reason for that. I’ve finally reached the point where I I’m grateful today that I don’t have to pick up or put one in me when life gets hard. If I can do it so can you.

Good morning everyone my name is Courtney and I’m an addict. I know there hasn’t been a whole lot of good news in the world lately but today I am 20 months sober!

Hi my name is Jacquelyn and I’m a former IV Meth Addict that has 3 years clean today!

Change is possible. So glad I finally decided to ask for help. please if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction reach out! It’s never too late!

My ex-wife came across this photo of me almost 3 years ago. She was amazed that she couldn’t tell I was using. Those are the lies we tell ourselves about the ones that we love. I am now 31 months clean and sober and I am living life to the fullest. Keep on guiding people on the road to recovery

I started doing drugs when I was 14. Then years later is when I started going to the doctor for anxiety & back pain, I was prescribed lortab & colozapam, that's when I got strung out & my doctor finally cut me off. Me & my kids living situation went downhill & we ended up with nowhere to live so I ended having to let them go live with their grandmother until I got stable but that didn't happen, I was so lost being without my kids that I handled it the only way that I knew how to at the time, I used drugs all the time to numb myself from everything that was going on around me, I almost died when I was 25 years old from drugs but that wasn't enough to wake me up, things just got worse, I started using meth (iv user) & all the pills that I could find & buy off the street, I was drunk alot too when I couldn't find anything else. I was still miserable & depressed & everything that was going on was still there at the end of everyday, I decided 3 years ago to be present in my life & my children's lives, I found sobriety & things really started happening for me when I got sober, my life started getting better & better, I love my life today, I married the love of my life & get to spend time with my kids & I get to have them come stay with me all the time & I have a step baby that I love like my own, I have a family, a job, a nice car & a cute little house, I'm so blessed & I thank God that i made it out of addiction alive.

I’m Hadassah and this is my son Braxton. I was a teenage mother. I was not with the baby’s father when I went through my pregnancy. I didn’t have many people there by my side. After I had my son, I learned that I still wanted to be a teenager. Unfortunately I didn’t get the memo that it is not how it works. I had many close friends and family that tried showing me that. I did not listen. After a night of being drugged, taken advantage of, and being on the verge of overdosing, my mother Jennifer Lane and Rebecca Adkins Goulart convinced me that I wasn’t a piece of crud. They said that they knew deep down I had a heart and soul. I was a product of my toxicity and sexual abuse. Now I can say I’m a product of God.

So when you see an addict

I am she. I am he. I am them.

Want to see the miracles God can perform? Just look at the proof in these pictures!
Years of addiction, homelessness and pain! Now, 4 months of recovery and Jesus!