Jeremy’s Story

I had a great childhood. My family took vacations and enjoyed outings together. My parents were always deeply involved in my life. I have an older sister, a younger brother, and two half-brothers. Being the middle child, I always felt my parents treated us equally. My biological father left when I was just six months old, so I didn’t know him. My stepdad stepped in and raised me. He coached my baseball and basketball teams, led my Boy Scout group, and was a big influence on me. Family has always been everything to me, and I’m definitely a mama’s boy. My mom always made sure I was cared for and supported.

Growing up, I realized I wasn’t the popular kid. My appearance—bowl-cut hair, big glasses, braces, and acne— made me feel like an outcast. I never felt accepted and often fell into depression. I desperately wanted to fit in with any group.

At 14, I started smoking weed, hoping it would help me feel accepted. Unfortunately, it led me down a dark path. I got involved with the wrong crowd and spiraled from smoking weed to taking pills, and eventually became an IV drug user—mostly meth and heroin. What started as a need to belong turned into a full-blown addiction.

JJ

“I believe God has great things in store for me, and I pray everyday, knowing He's with me and guiding me.
God is good.”

In 2012, during my addiction, I met the mother of my child. We both used meth together, but in 2014, she quit cold turkey when we found out we were having a baby. That May, our beautiful daughter was born. I kept using drugs despite giving me many chances to quit, but I never could. I entered and completed two inpatient short-term residential treatment programs but relapsed each time. The mother of my child put up with more than anyone should have. Sometimes, I wonder why she stayed, but it showed how much she loved and believed in me.

Right before Christmas 2023, my mom gave me an ultimatum: either go to rehab or be homeless. She helped me explore options, and I contacted ATCNEW. The program wasn’t open until late January. ATCNEW kindly provided me with a few other rehab options in the interim, so I went to a 45-day treatment program in Manitowoc in early January. On February 20th, I walked through the doors of ATCNEW, and it was the best decision I’ve made.

Since then, I surrendered my life to Christ on March 3rd. I believe God has great things in store for me, and I pray every day, knowing He’s with me and guiding me. God is good.

My daughter needs her dad in her life, and she deserves a sober, present father. My focus is on my two girls and my family, and I will not stop striving to be the person they need me to be.

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