Meet Doug.

Growing up in St. Stephen, NB, Douglas came from a loving family and lived a normal life up to the age of 27. At this time he went through a bad breakup and the pain that followed led him to accept drugs that were offered to him.

He explains that he felt drowsy the next day after his high wore off and realized that taking more drugs could help take the edge off. This led Douglas into a bender that would then turn to constant cravings for more. He shares that when he took the drugs the pain from the breakup was gone which led him to chase more to stay numb. It was the time between where the pain would creep in and he says that his heart was clenching. Douglas shared that he should have gone to see a doctor or a professional, but the drugs were now a part of his life.

Douglas found himself homeless in Woodstock for almost two years where he would sleep on couches, in basements or a tent. He shared that the drugs would help him to stay awake for days on end when he found himself in unsafe environments, but the toll of being awake resulted in psychosis and hallucinations.

As he continued down this road, he shared that “everybody saw it but me – it was hard grasping just how much I was hurting them.” His loving family did what they could, but it was one of his sisters who eventually had to sit his parents down to share with them that they were normalizing his lifestyle.

One day Douglas bought drugs from someone who had stabbed him a year earlier. He reflects that he should have seen this as a bad idea, but he needed the drugs. The drugs he was given were not the typical Meth that he was used to but were laced with something stronger. The reaction to this saw him waking up in a prison cell and feeling traumatized and vulnerable. He knew that he had a bad trip and had lost control of the drugs.

It was the first time that Douglas realized that he had a problem with drugs. He knew that he needed help and with the help of his mother and his lawyer who both saw so much potential in him were able to convince the judge to release him on condition that he enter an Addiction Recovery program. While he detoxed in prison, his mother called Harvest House each day to try and get a spot for him.

He remembers walking into the Addiction Recovery program on his first day and was excited for the opportunity to change his life. He shared that early on he pressed into the program and found out that he had a lot more brokenness to deal with. He shared “I knew that if I pressed into God as I did when I was young I would make this work”. Due to this perseverance, he shared that he has found freedom and feels light each day.

Now 5 weeks into the program, Douglas shares that he has had to “sit on the bench of emotions and process what is happening to me”. We discussed how he has learned how to cope with his ADHD and how he now wishes to use the hyperfocus that it can bring to put his energy into things that matter most.

Although relatively new to the program, he shares that he wishes to integrate back into the workforce, continue his education and be the best father that he can be to his 9-year-old son. He desires to give back to people and use his testimony to help encourage those who may be struggling.

He shared that for families that are struggling with a loved one in active substance use “Know that there’s always Hope and a praying family member (similar to how his mother prayed for him all those years), with earnest prayer are heard.”

Douglas leaves us with this message. “I am happy today, I have a peace I didn’t have before, hope, I care and feel that things are snowballing in the right direction for me. I have a love for the Lord and a yearning in my heart for more.”

**This story reflects the personal perspective of the participant and does not necessarily represent the views of Harvest House Atlantic or other individuals mentioned. Shared with permission.