When I first heard about Gulf Coast Treatment Center’s methadone program, I thought it was a gimmick. I was ready to make a change and didn’t realize how good it would be. It was hard at first, but the flesh does not like to be uncomfortable.
At my job, I would get picked on and hit up for money. I didn’t feel like I was worth standing up for. My counselor, Mr. Bill helped me to have self-worth. With his help, I put a stop to it. I was always afraid of what would happen if I stood up for myself; it was scary to think about. While going through the program, I found God. Jesus loves me and wants me happy. I stood up for myself, and my problems disappeared. Not long after this, my boss placed me in a job that was supposed to go to one of my bullies. I was now over him, and he treated me like a real person.
I’m still shy and don’t like large crowds or small get-togethers, but I stand up straight and without shame. Because of this, I have been promoted at work. I lead small groups instead of hiding. I had resentments and anger I wasn’t aware were affecting me. This program saw me come in as a very lost soul and turn into a functioning member of society. I’m here to tell you I don’t have to stress about finding drugs to make it through the day. It allowed me to become closer to my little family. I used to spend hundreds of dollars a week and dozens of hours trying to find drugs, but GCTC has allowed me to enjoy life as I’ve never known. I was a two pack per day smoker, and I was ashamed of it. The program gave me inner peace and God helped me to see. I haven’t smoked since February 2, 2013.
I have heard people criticizing the program by saying things such as, “People on that junk are trading one for another.” People think folks in this program are junkie criminals that aren’t doing any good. One day I heard some people talking about methadone treatment, so I asked “who” they were talking about? They replied “Not you, if you were on it, we could tell. You would sweat a lot and nod off.”
One of my old classmates started treatment not long ago. He told me he did not believe in God and I started to bring him to Christ. And by the way, this was one of my childhood bullies. I am no longer the same. With God and treatment, I am not going “nowhere” because I am “now here.”
“Johnny” is a real client whose name was changed to protect himself and others from the stigma of methadone treatment. He chose to share his story of recovery to help others addicted to opiates.
