LOUIS FASONE

Geographical changes, abundance of money through better paying jobs and even furthering my education could not help me with my dilemma because I was my worst problem.

My parents split up when I was in the seventh grade. I didn't think that it had anything

to do with my gradual spiral downward. I used to think using drugs was fun and all my friends were trying drugs too. I just wanted to fit in. My parents divorced and other traumatic life experiences fueled my poor decision-making and bad behavior. Throughout the 1990's, I found myself in and out of jail and rehab facilities. My attempts to control my drug use and life became futile. Geographical changes, abundance of money through better paying jobs and even furthering my education could not help me with my dilemma because I was my worst problem. Only after I surrendered and cried out to God for help, did my life start to change. That change started inside of me at my last rehab center. I was placed at Richard Jones Recovery House (RJRH) run by SELF, Inc. for my aftercare. It was there that I learned to apply the change within me to my life around me. It took love and effort to put a tailor-made support system in place to help me. Through God and the support of people who care about me, I have been able to stay clean and recover from this dreaded disease called addiction. I completed an intensive outpatient therapy program at Penn Presbyterian for nine months. I was transferred from RJRH to the lfe Wellness Center also run by SELF. The staff at both RJRH and lfe have been so supportive of my recovery. I also gained employment at one of SELF's homeless shelters, completed my training as a Certified Recovery Specialist and recently moved out of shelter into my own place. Now I can help others like others helped me.