“Bad chapters can still create great stories. Wrong paths can still lead to the right places. Failed dreams can still create successful people. Sometimes it takes losing yourself to find yourself.” This quote from Cynthia Thurlow resonates deeply with my journey through addiction recovery.
If you had told any of my teachers at any grade level that I would become a heroin-addicted convicted felon who served time in prison, they would never have believed you. I was never viewed as a “troublemaker” or a “misfit.” I was not a bad kid or someone you would expect to face prison time. I was respectful and followed the rules. I remember having detention just once and consistently made the honor roll while excelling in sports. Growing up, success came easily to me, which unknowingly laid the groundwork for my future challenges.
As I transitioned into adulthood, my past accomplishments created inflated expectations for success. I believed life would always be straightforward, and I wouldn't have to work as hard as others. This ego, combined with a difficulty in expressing my emotions, a family history of hidden alcoholism and addiction, and a rigid belief system, formed the bedrock for my eventual life of addiction.
Another contributor to my addiction was my inability to handle failure constructively. Rather than accepting that I needed to be more disciplined or realign with my values, I often blamed external factors—such as favoritism, social class, or popularity. This narrative of victimhood fed my ego and made me avoid taking responsibility for my actions. I turned to drugs and alcohol as an escape, using substances to cope with my boredom and discontent.
This cycle continued until I found myself at 37, facing aggravated robbery charges for using a childhood BB gun to rob a pharmacy in February 2017. This led to my first and only arrest, marking a turning point in my life. Alone and sick from addiction, I questioned everything except the one person responsible for my misery—myself.
I came to realize that the only person accountable was me. Today, I am grateful for the consequences of my actions, as they pushed me to take responsibility—not just for my crime, but for my mindset, beliefs, and attitude. During my time at The Recovery Village in Umatilla, Florida, I spent nine months focused on my addiction recovery, leading to profound personal transformation. I was introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous, found a sponsor, and worked through the 12 steps, which fostered my spiritual growth. I embraced self-inquiry, faced my character defects, processed resentments, addressed anxieties, and made amends, ultimately igniting a spiritual awakening.
While incarcerated, I dedicated myself to spirituality, consciousness, and mental growth. I enrolled in self-inquiry courses and immersed myself in over 100 books on topics ranging from art and quantum physics to psychology and spiritual philosophies like Buddhism and Taoism. For the first time, I discovered meditation and developed a connection to a God of my understanding. This new perspective brought me peace and patience amid previous fear and anxiety, allowing me to accept the present moment and respond constructively to life.
This shift in mindset encouraged me to explore art—a pursuit I had previously dismissed, believing I had no talent. Daily practice transformed my abilities, allowing me to express my growth and share my story with others. I began drawing portraits for fellow inmates and prison staff, earning their trust and respect. This initiative opened the door for me to start an AA meeting within the prison, providing me with a purpose as I aimed to help other addicts on their recovery journey.
Since my parole in June 2021, I have continued this path. I graduated and volunteered with the Johnson City DRC program, worked for Frontier Health on Magnolia Ridge, and obtained my Tennessee Peer Recovery Certification. I have led recovery groups both professionally and as a volunteer. Today, I am a small business owner, landlord, dedicated father, and portrait artist. I have also served on the boards of the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition and REBOS of AA.
As the founder of Recovery Renaissance, I am passionately dedicated to helping others rebuild their lives and support their recovery journeys. Through specially designed programming, we empower our clients to tap into untapped strengths, reach seemingly impossible goals, and pursue dreams they once thought unattainable. My journey began with the 12 steps. Within my sponsorship family, we often say, “Look what God did!” My life today reflects everything I once doubted was possible. Recovery and faith have transformed me in ways I could never have imagined. If this is achievable for me, I have unwavering faith that it is possible for others as well. I stand as living proof that recovery is truly attainable.
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