My name is Alex – and I am an addict.  I have been in addiction ever since I was 11 years of age and now I am 34 years old and have been clean and sober for 2 years and almost 3 months.  I have been to 4 separate treatment centers since 2002 and never did I once believe that I could not handle getting high once in a blue moon.  I have now realized that as soon as I put one drug or one drink in my body, I can no longer control what happens.  I can say “no” with ease now, but if I were to ever put another drug in my body, I cannot stop.  I am no longer in control.  I have handed over a basketball scholarship, my Mom, Dad, brother, sister for a number of years and any relationship I have had since 11 years old and recently a marriage all due to my need to get high.  These things were not taken from me - I gave them up all on my own.

To the ones suffering from this disease, please believe me when I say, “life is so much fun as long as you can get through the withdrawals.”  Sure, I do think about getting high every now and again but I know once will turn into years if I would be lucky enough to make it back.

To the ones who have a loved one suffering from addiction, please don’t ever give up on them.  Love them more but from a distance if need be.  The love my family has shown for me played a tremendous role in my 2 years and almost 3 months.  We do finally realize your love means the world to us.

Don’t ever give up – it took me 7 years of straight treatment centers, one after the other until the simple notion clicked in my head.  I cannot get high – not one time – it would take me less than a week to lose everything I have now worked for, plus you don’t meet too many long term heroin addicts, they are all dead!