Day Job:
Founder, President & CEO, The Detroit Recovery Project

When I was actively addicted:
I would sell the shoes off my feet to buy drugs. I broke the law and became a criminal. I sold cocaine to an undercover officer. I used people for money, I panhandled for money to support my addiction.

My rock bottom moment:
Destroying my trust with my mother, especially when she took my keys to the home and told me I was no longer allowed in my home.

What I learned about myself:
I learned that I suffer from an illness. I must treat it and respect it as such. The moment I forget, I can run the risk of facing death, jail, or being institutionalized.

What worked for me:
I was 18 years old when I entered rehab. I spent my first two weeks in a short-term alcohol residential rehab program. From there I went into a 120-day residential treatment program, and then stayed in a transitional house for 2 1/2 years. During treatment, I participated in individual therapy daily and group therapy. I began to process my issues, and came to the realization that I was not responsible for my addiction, but I was responsible for my recovery.

I was exposed to the 12-step programs of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous. I met people who were just like me and that’s when I began to embrace recovery. I prayed EVERY DAY for a better life, I prayed for the desire to use drugs to be removed from me. I found new friends in recovery.

My favorite recovery quote:
Keep coming back! Recovery works if you work it! Work on your insides versus your outside.

A typical week for me:
I pray everyday. I thank God for my freedom, my health, and my recovery. I take self-care very seriously; prayer and meditation help me to sustain peace and serenity. I attend a restorative yoga class once a week, I also attend a Tai Chi class once a week. I go to the gym at least two or three times and attend at least two to three 12-step meetings a week.

Best advice for newbies:
Embrace recovery and know that it will get better. Build a solid recovery foundation. If drugs were the answer, find out what the question is? Recovery is a life-long journey, it is not a destination. Don’t be in a rush! Commit to a 12-step program, and seek out counseling.

On the stigma of addiction:
Early in recovery, I was embarrassed at being a person in recovery. I no longer feel like that. I believe the stigma of addiction is not as bad as it once was — thanks to the recent announcement by the U.S. Surgeon General, who stated that addiction is a chronic illness and not a moral issue, but America’s number one public health problem.

What saves me from myself:
Is the ability to do a daily inventory, of my actions and attitude. The ability to admit my wrongs and faults, to recognize if I am doing something that is unhealthy for my body, mind, and or spirit. My ability to be responsible and be a man of my word. Doing the right thing because its the right thing.

I get inspired by:
The miracles of recovery happening in peoples’ lives everyday.

SHED THE STIGMA:
If you’re a person in long-term recovery who wants to share your
insights, please contact us at [email protected].