Date: February 16, 2026
By my late 30s, the Mercedes and the Florida condo were ghosts of a past life. I was back in the hood, trapped in a cycle of crack and alcohol. In my 41st year, I hit a new low—I stole a drill from a car to fund my habit. That wasn’t a “mistake”; it was the result of a life with no foundation.
Because I was already on probation, the judge didn’t give me a break. I was sentenced to a “3-flat” in New Jersey state prison. I served my time and was released into the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP). For 16 months, I lived under a microscope. I worked the hot end of a factory, did my urines, and followed the rules. I completed ISP, but I hadn’t changed my heart yet.
The real storm hit after I finished ISP. I was dating a woman from high school, working myself to the bone while she stayed home. I asked for help with a $1,400 electric bill, and instead of help, I got an empty house. She left, took my truck, and took our daughter’s bed. Three weeks later, on my birthday, my mother died.
I had no vehicle, no home, and a shattered soul. I started selling meth just to survive the pain. On February 12, 2021, it all came crashing down at the Tropicana in Atlantic City. I was facing a 1st-degree distribution charge—10 years of my life on the line. I was at the end of my rope, but on October 2nd, 2021, I finally chose life. I didn’t just join Drug Court; I surrendered to it.
I graduated on August 5th, 2025. I am 4 years and 5 months clean today because I finally learned that you can’t outrun the truth.
Have you ever finished one struggle only to walk into a bigger storm? Let’s talk about how to keep standing. 👇
I’ve had times through my addiction that I didn’t understand why things happened. I believe the reason things didn’t go me way was because God was with me trying to help me.