David, 37, began using drugs when his family’s gardener forced him to smoke marijuana with him when David was 5. David was born in Kenya and his family moved to the United States through his father’s mission work.
At 22, he was on academic probation at college, depressed and turned to alcohol. He came to Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley after he completed another faith-based rehabilitation program but didn’t stay sober. “I’m a born-again Christian so anything that would succeed for me, has to come first,” he said. “I was raised in a Christian home. I was a pastor’s kid.”
He expects to graduate from ATCOV in July, after completing the year-long program. He wants to complete his college degree and to use his experiences and what he’s learned. He’s not sure yet what path that will follow. “My plan is to continue growing in this process,” he said.
“I knew I wanted to live life sober and in order to do that I needed to surrender to the process,” David said. “So far, I know this is working because I get up every day and I work on it. I’m not as resistant or as stubborn as I once was and I know how much I need it.”
He’s come to the understanding that he’s only going to get out of the program what he puts into it. That involves working with therapists, ATCOV staff, being obedient to the process and asking questions.
During times in his past with his struggles, David was in a dark place. Now he’s optimistic. He knows there are people within ATCOV he can turn to if he’s having a rough day. “I’m realizing that being able to have a support group within my recovery and boundaries set and accountability is huge,” David said. I’m just thankful for the opportunity to work on my better health here now.”
