Friendship House has given me freedom from a life of Pain! I was accepted into the Friendship House Program after graduating an eight month stay at The Salvation Army. I got sober there, but that was just a beginning.

Realizing I needed more support I entered Friendship House. I started off in Andrews Place where I was given a hot shower, a warm family-style dinner each night, and a safe place to sleep. Morning comes early at Andrews Place; I was up and ready to start my day before the sun was up.

Friendship House stresses the importance of Recovery meetings and I would go to “Early Risers,” starting at 7:30 am. After that I would pound the pavement and look for work. It took weeks to find a job, but I didn’t lose faith because of the support from my counselor, with whom I would have weekly sessions.

The great thing about the counselors here is they are always present even if you don’t have a scheduled session with them. This was–and is– extremely beneficial to me in helping stay focused.

After showing I could work and follow the rules, I was moved over to Criswell House, where I was allotted a little more freedom. You have responsibility to keep the house clean and welcoming for the next candidate. It was instilled in me the importance of setting attainable goals. I set goals for my physical, financial and mental health and–sometimes to my surprise–I achieved them!

Now I’m at Daughtry House. Here I’ve been afforded the opportunity to grow even more. I’ve had “time,” which is something the Friendship House has given me: time to really reconnect spiritually with God; time to improve my self-esteem, time to build friendships that will last a lifetime. And, most of all, time to realize I’m no longer a strung out junky. I’m a Human Being just doing the very best I can with what God has given me.

I plan on returning to college in the near future to finish my Behavioral Science degree. My hope is that I will be able to give back what was so freely given to me!

– Todd G.