When I was 12 to 13 years old, I started drinking beers and smoking marijuana. I was a young person and they put me in a shelter which was a detention center for young people because I wasn’t going to school. In the shelter, I was fighting all the other young kids there and they put me in the box. I didn’t understand at the time what they were doing was cruel and unusual punishment. I was just a child.
I would get furloughs to go home on the weekends and would come back with marijuana sticks. I was put into solitary and I would bring my sticks of marijuana in there with me. It was a cycle of addiction that was on me as a kid. It really messed up my brain because not only am I in lock down, but I got drugs in there and my mind hasn’t developed because I am a young person. When I got out, I drank beer, smoked marijuana, and didn’t go to school. This eventually landed me into incarceration. I was in 19.5 years. Even in jail I would find ways to buy weed, I used to make wine, I didn’t realize at the time I had become adapted to that type of life; incarceration and drug use. I didn’t think about the important things in life.
In 2008, I was release and I found myself back using again. I found it was more of a lifestyle. People were still doing it, but it became a problem for my life with me being on parole. I was taking medication for anxiety and PTSD at the time. I was prescribed a benzodiazepine and I was still drinking liquor and using marijuana and found myself back in custody. They said I could go inpatient. I went to Norris and moved into the Alexander House. That is when I chose Huther Doyle. I had tried other agencies but every time I would start, I would have to start all over again. I think going to Huther Doyle was a good mix-up for me. My attendance was good, Maria was my therapist and was very helpful. I was serious about it and I still am. Huther Doyle helped to get through my first 60 and 90 days. I want to continue this work because I am benefitting from that. I am staying away from certain things that could push me off the deep end and I watch my boundaries every day. I am responsible for myself.
Huther Doyle helped by giving me coping skills and treatment that didn’t make me feel like I had a target on my back. I got exactly what I need; the tools to put in my belt, the education for recovery. From the beginning of going to Huther Doyle, everything worked out for me. I appreciate that.
Ronnie has continued on his path of recovery and is now a Peer Support Advocate assisting others on their journey.
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