Mike C. recently graduated from the Turning Point program and resides in New Haven, Connecticut. Having grown up in Texas, Mike was originally apprehensive about coming all the way to Turning Point, but he made the most of the opportunity.

Mike’s first drink came when he was 11 years old and, shortly after, Mike began smoking marijuana on a daily basis. “I didn’t grow up in a very stable environment,” said Mike. One of Mike’s close immediate family members is an active drug addict and has been since he was young. As a result of the instability in the home this created, Mike decided to move out when he was 16.  “I was stubborn and thought I knew what I was doing,” said Mike. “Growing up, I didn’t have any role models in my life that could really guide me in the right direction.”

After moving out of his home, Mike completed his GED. “I went to a couple colleges, but I continued to flunk out,” said Mike. In Mike’s late teen years, he became heavily addicted to heroin and methamphetamine. “That was what my life was,” said Mike.  “I had my drugs and I was fine with that.”

“It’s not about what I did while I was getting high, it’s about what I did to recover.”

“My parents let me beat myself up enough until I would ask for help,” said Mike. Mike was given the opportunity to come to Turning Point. “It was a blessing to be able to come up here, so I just worked as hard as I could.”  Mike hit the ground running and immediately made connections and developed a sober network in New Haven.

“I had my struggles and life is difficult, but that’s life,” said Mike. “That’s why I got high in the first place. I didn’t know how to deal with life, but that is what Turning Point gave me. They taught me how to be an accountable person and manage life.”

Mike’s work paid off.  Mike would go on to graduate from Turning Point’s residential drug treatment program and received his 1-year sobriety coin soon after. Today, Mike is a full-time student at the University of Connecticut.  Additionally, he has a part-time job, an avid gym-goer, and is an active member of the local recovery community.

“I am extremely grateful for Turning Point and what they have taught me and the man they helped me become,” said Mike.  “I would not be where I am without the guidance and assistance of everyone. Life couldn’t be better.”