October 2020 by Chris Fort
I entered CADA March 30, 2017, I was completely out of hope, and full of despair, the only solution I thought I had was suicide. My drinking, and drug use took me to a place of desperation. I could not stay sober, but I could not quit using. I went 20 plus years of suffering. The only coping mechanism I had, for every emotion, was to change the was I felt with drugs, and alcohol. When I was sad, I used, when I was happy, I used. My life revolved around when I would get my next bottle, or find my next high. I lied, cheated, and stole, whatever it took to get my drug of choice. I destroyed my family, and friends. I was like a hurricane in people I loved lives. I saw only darkness.In CADA, I learned tools, coping mechanisms, of how to deal with life, on life's terms, without alcohol, and drugs. I gained a new sense of self worth. I started to recover from a disease that had already taken so many I loved, including my mother.CADA took another chance on me 6 months into my recovery. I was hired as part of the support staff. I continued to learn and grow, in the place that saved my life. Three, and half years later, I am now part of the Peer Support Team, giving back, what was given to me.One of my favorite quotes is, "It is always darkest before the dawn." CADA gave me my dawn.
