I started using drugs recreationally as a young teen. I realized it was numbing me from all the pain of life that I had no idea how to cope with. I became addicted to pain pills midway through high school and was withdrawing during school if I didn’t have any for the day.

It didn’t take long after becoming dependent to switch to heroin IV use. Things went downhill very quickly. I was living in my car off and on and over the course of 8 years I went to multiple treatment centers to try and stop. I would get out of treatment and go directly to get high every time. Everything in my world was darkness, I was chained to a needle and an endless chase to stay high. Overdose and emergency rooms to save my life were happening often. I was hopeless and so close to death. My mom heard about the Harbor Home through our church and brought me one Sunday morning. For me this was my last try. I was met with so much love at the door as they took me in. I was completely broken and felt so unworthy of any kindness, but the Lord met me in that brokenness.

The Harbor Home provided me so much room to grow in my relationship with God and was healed of so much pain. I was taught how to work hard and take care of myself, to have joy and be grateful in everyday things. I gained a community of people that are always there for me, and a peace in heart that was once filled with torment. I will carry what I learned there for my whole life. To seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to me. It’s true, I’ve walked it out myself. God miraculously took addiction away from me. It has been six years now. I don’t count day to day clean time, I don’t have to try and not use drugs, I am set free and forever grateful.