Gary Williams
Age 28
Crawfordsville, IN
What Made Me Try It
I started meth one day while I was down on my luck, in a bad mood, and had home problems. I ran into a friend who said to try meth, and that it would make things better. I thought to myself, “sure I’ll try it.”
Moments of Truth
I realized that I had a problem while I was sitting in my empty home with no food in the refrigerator, no money, no family, and no more meth. The worst part of all of that was that all I cared about was getting more meth. It was then that I knew I wanted to stop using meth but couldn’t.
Recovery From Relapse
Once I truly was clean, I have gone five years without relapsing.
My Keys to Recovery
I stay strong by staying involved in my community.
Lessons Learned
My whole life has changed. I work very hard to help other adults and kids. I am the president of our local coalition – the Montgomery County A.H.E.A.D. Coalition, Advocates Helping Educate Against Drugs. I am the president of our youth sports league. I am also on Governor Mitch Daniels’ Community Advisory Board for a Drug Free Indiana. In my spare time I coach wrestling, softball and baseball.
My Advice
I tell people to work hard. This is not something that comes easy or fast. It takes complete dedication and time. If you stumble, get up and fight harder. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are people willing to help who have been there and have good advice. When its all said and done, you will be stronger than you realize. I tell people that they worked hard at being an addict, and now its time to work hard at being sober.
My Recovery Story
I would like to tell you about my life after meth addiction. I have been in recovery for five years, and I have exceeded my own expectations for my life. I just want people to know that you can grow and change after addiction. If you work hard, you can accomplish anything.
As for what I’ve been doing, I am currently a board member working on a strategic prevention framework in Indiana to help fight drug abuse. Of the 40 people on the board, I am one of two who is in some sort of recovery. The special part of being on this board is that we were hand picked by our governor. Before joining the board, I traveled around the state teaching different groups about the dangers of meth. Along with my work to fight drug abuse, I am a board member for a local festival we have every year and recently took a board position for a youth sports league where I’m also a coach. The work I’m most proud of is my position as board president for the Montgomery County A.H.E.A.D. Coalition. (Advocates Helping Educate Against Drugs). I have had many more accomplishments in my life, but these have the most meaning to me.
I am very passionate about recovery, and I work hard to help others. I owe a very big thank you to my family, because without their support, I would have struggled tremendously to get this far. My three children and my wife are right there with me in all my activities.
NEED HELP NOW?
Drug Addiction Phone Counseling for Families Dealing with Substance Abuse
Marion, New Life gave me the tools I needed to learn how to live again, to be truthful I don’t think I had a prayer of getting clean with a traditional 30 day program, it is a 6 month program. I did alot of research finding a program that I could afford, that did not have to cost my family more than my addiction already had, they had paid enough. Not only does New Life work with you, they require the client to work to pay for their own treatment, it is part of our recovery to stand up & take responsibility. It was founded by Dr. Steven Stiles, the most caring man i have ever met. he is an author but also truly is invested in people! I hope this helps!
Hi Marion,
I have some great info for you from a woman who got clean at this place. Here is the info (what she just told me):
New Life Community Services in Santa Cruz California
It is a sliding scale, SELF PAY PROGRAM
the client gets a job outside of the facility & pays their own way, $190 a week
They will do a phone interview, & you have to go on a wait list for a week or so, calling every day to maintain your place on list, I think they do that to see how motivated you are & that you really want it. Its a wonderful program
It’s where I went.
It’s a 6month inpatient program, they even accept parents with their kids!!!
It really is an amazing program, a lot of programs are lockdown etc, I don’t think this gives us the tools we need to learn how to work & live again etc…
New Life Community Services Inc
707 Fair Avenue
Santa Cruz CA 95060
(831) 427-1007
Here is a link for info (scroll down to find this one):
http://www.santacruzhealth.org/recoverywave/DIRECTORY/residential.html
Let me know if you would like to talk to the woman who actually went here.
please help with a state funded program on the west coast for my daughter. She wants to go to a program. 15 years of using.
Please I would like to know of a state funded program on the west for my 40 yr old daughter, She says she wants to go in a program,but we can not afford to pay now, Please help!!