Pete

I’VE ALWAYS FELT SORT OF LIKE A DICHOTOMY. I GUESS MANY OF US DO, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF US WHO WERE RAISED WELL BUT LISTENED TO THAT SMOOTH-TALKING DEVIL ON OUR SHOULDERS.

I’ve always felt sort of like a dichotomy. I guess many of us do, especially those of us who were raised well but listened to that smooth-talking devil on our shoulders. My parents instilled good manners, love, and compassion in me. I was a respectable young man until puberty hit and my moral compass lost true north.

 High school was an ongoing party. I tried any drug I was offered and sought out many others. I followed my girlfriend to college, did well, rarely did drugs, but our relationship ended badly. I moved home, continued school and was doing well but I was depressed about the breakup. I began doing oxycontin daily and things grew steadily worse. When my paycheck wasn’t sustaining my habit, I stole and pawned things from my family, other people and stores. My family knew I had a serious problem and sent me to the Clint Eastwood Center but that didn’t work. I fell back into stealing and drugs.

I tried desperately to quit, went to NA meetings but they didn’t work. I started dating a girl who turned out to be a full-blown crystal meth addict. I began smoking crystal meth with her and got back into heroin. After several police encounters, I moved home to quit heroin but couldn’t. Following an overdose my parents called an ambulance. In the hospital we had numerous talks about getting into a program. The only application I filled out was for The Bridge’s yearlong faith-based program. I was willing to try anything, even though a year seemed long and I hadn’t a shred of faith left in me.

While at The Bridge I was helped by many people and learned many lessons. I rediscovered the morals my parents instilled in me. I discovered the ease that comes to life when you are an honest, open person. I learned how to find joy in the toils of everyday life, especially in the mundane, how to do these things without the use of drugs as an escape. I learned how easily impulses claim dominion over my actions. I gained a better understanding of my impulses and how to extend that control to other areas and cravings. I learned that it doesn’t matter what other people are doing around me. I need to do what’s right. I learned that to keep others’ secrets is a toxic practice, especially if their practices are bringing down those around them.

I’ve learned what it means to lead by example. Had it not been for the grace and mercy of Mike and Michele Casey allowing me to remain in the program, I would have probably been back out there, probably be dead. Certainly I wouldn’t have been able to withstand the temptation of relapses and most certainly would be in no position to pass these wisdoms on to others who need them. Wherever I may be on my faith journey, I recognize the healing and restorative powers of Jesus Christ. Even though, for me, that may only be through His subjects that have been put before me as examples to emulate Christ-likeness. I am a new man today because of it and I thank God for The Bridge and all those who pour into it.