Benny Ivey.’s Pilgrimage from Addiction to Recovery
I’m a 35 years old male from Jackson and a life- long drug addict who is finally able to experience the freedom of recovery. All thanks to the glory of God and the care of the treatment staff and programs at Common Bond Recovery Center (CBRC).Drugs and alcohol have been a pivotal point in my life for all of my existence, being raised by addicts and, in turn, becoming one myself. Due to my disease of addiction and very poor decision making skills, the majority of my life was spent behind bars. In November 2010 I found myself locked up again facing a fifth and final trip to the Mississippi State Penitentiary. And then God blessed me with one final chance at life, by sending Randy Adams from CBRC to visit me in jail.
That conversation brought me to tears, and from that day forward the battle was begun with the court system. My court was finally signed and I was released into the care and custody of Common Bond Recovery Center. Since my arrival at CBRC, my life has taken a 360 turn for the better. The treatment team and program have opened my eyes and shown me a better way, better way to live, better way to think, and a better life without the use of drugs and alcohol. I have God and the spiritual principles that I’ve found here in the program have saved my life. I now have a full time job and a checking account. Common Bond Recovery Center was a gift from God for me. The staff and program work miracles in the lives of men like me every day. And I will be forever grateful for all I’ve received while being a client of such a caring and diligent team. For the first time in 35 years my life is mine to live…thanks to Common Bond Recovery Center.
- Anonymous
I battle with my addiction for 13 years. I was fired from my job and found myself homeless for a time. I resorted to doing things that I am not proud of to get money for my dope and this helped to land me in jail more times than I care to remember. Life had become unbearable. I was utterly hopeless and killing myself. Not only was it killing me but it was killing my mother to watch his son destroy his life. I wasn’t only hurting myself. My family and community suffered greatly, due to my addictions. I was creating damage all around me and could not see it.Then I heard about Common Bond Recovery Center from a family friend, and decided to it a try. I had been in many rehabs prior to CBRC, and never had any success. However, I decided I was ready to try something different. This program changed my life so completely that it is hard to express how much. It also taught me how selfish I had been to think my drug use only affected me, when actually it affected everyone around me. I understand that now. I was grateful for this program. I decided to make a commitment to give back some of which I had received, by encouraging others going through Common Bond Recovery Center. This has helped me to continue in my sobriety and success. It is so rewarding to know Common Bond Recovery Center is continuing to make a difference ONE LIFE at a time.
James H. Talbert’ Journey as a Veteran with Substance Abuse
I am from Hattiesburg, MS, a veteran who has served six years in the United States Army. My addiction started in 1981 with a little marijuana, then drinking, then cocaine, then to anything. From the age of 18 to the age of 40, my life was a mess. Homeless, full storm I created from drugs and alcohol. Through the VA Drug and Alcohol Homeless Program, I was introduced to Common Bond Recovery Center’s I.S.I.A.S.H. House (Innovative Solutions In Assisting the Homeless), a residential 12-Step program with spiritual principles. With guidance of the professional staff on board, the help of the group meetings, sharing life, life’s ups and downs, and talking about dealing with life on life’s terms with peers, helped me to discover and define who I am without the mask and lie of drugs and alcohol. After fully completing the 2 year program, I have my own residence, I have started my own business, and I also work for Common Bond Recovery Center as a Middle Shift House Manager, just to give back what was given to me. Thank you God for blessing us with Common Bond Recovery Center!
- Anonymous
I struggled with a drug addiction for 25 years. I was using and selling through my occupation as a truck driver until everything finally caught up with me. I was put in jail for 11 months and during the time, my wife of 20 years decided she wanted a divorce, and I destroyed my relationships with my 3 beautiful children. After 11 months in jail I was looking at a 30 year prison sentence. I had signed papers to accept a plea, and was feeling pretty hopeless. On my court date, the director of Hinds County Drug Court said God had told her to find me and ask if I wanted to join the program. It was 30 years in prison or 2 years in a program, the choice wasn’t very difficult. The next day, I found myself at the front door of Common Bond Recovery Center in shackles and chains. Not knowing what to expect, I reluctantly began completing Common Bond Recovery Center’s “1st Step.” It was through the 1st Step of Common Bond’s 12-Step program that I was able to take an honest look at my destructive past. I had destroyed my relationships with wife, my children, and the people I cared about the most. When I look back at my past, it makes me sick to my stomach. However, CBRC helped me not only to see who I was, but realize that I never wanted to be that man again.
Now through Common Bond Recovery Center, God has put a passion in my heart to use my past to help others battling addictions. I have almost completed the Mississippi Association of Addiction Program, which will allow me to be a certified alcohol and drug counselor. My relationships with my children are better than ever, and my passion to give back has become the driving force in my sobriety.