Drug Addiction Stories & Info

We moved to Arizona when I was thirteen.  I hated leaving my old school but my dad was in the military and when he gets orders, we move.  I did not know anyone but eventually became friends with a guy down the street.  We began hanging out at the basketball court and the base pool over that summer and eventually I started looking forward to school in the fall.

One night he told me he knew where we could get something.  I asked what and he said, “You’re kidding, right?”  Not wanting to seem like a baby, I said “Yeah, dude, just messing with you.”   We went over to a friend of his who’s mom was out partying that night and I got high for the first time.  My anxiety about a new school and making new friends disappeared.

Over the next couple of years, my grades were acceptable but not at the point they had been.  My dad kept telling me I could do better.  My mom offered to get me a tutor.  I just wanted to get high.

Then one night as we were riding around, my buddy having just got his license, we got stopped by the local cops.  They could sense something funny about my friend and searched the car, finding the pot we had just bought.  They arrested us and called our parents.

That was three years ago.  My parents were really disappointed in me but they stood by me.  They insisted I take responsibility and they got me into a drug treatment program.  My dad ended up retiring this year and we have settled into the community.

I just started my freshman year of college and I also help at the drug rehab center my parents took me to three years ago.  I am interested in becoming a counselor and helping other kids who find themselves where I was as a teenager.  The counselors there seemed to understand and did not put me down while at the same time not letting me use excuses.  When we get into drugs, we need to take responsibility.

I heard horror stories of kids who’s parents turned their backs on them or were into drugs themselves.  I was thankful even more that my parents were there for me, and it made me want to help those who did not have a strong family unit like I did.   My parents are both supporting me in my career of choice and my mom thinks I am going to make a great counselor.