A Train Kentucky Success Story: Devon Baldwin’s Journey to Recovery
The Overarching Struggle of Overcoming Substance Abuse
As easy as it is to become addicted to substances, it is exponentially more difficult to stop using them.
Statistics on Substance Abuse Relapse
An estimated 40 to 60% of all people who get treatment for alcohol and drug abuse will relapse, according to statistics – and this is assuming that they are even able to get into rehab in the first place.
The Struggles of Rehabilitation and the Promise of Reward
Drug and alcohol rehabilitation is a long and arduous process for the addict, one that is almost always characterized by emotional and physical struggles. Detox, therapy, and other common practices used in rehab programs are extremely draining and difficult; the effort is worth it in the end, of course, but it is a difficult process for everyone, regardless of background or what substance is being used.
Devon’s Unique Journey to Sobriety
Everyone’s recovery story is different. Devon, 30, began using substances when he was around 13.
Devon’s Initial Encounter with Substances
His struggle began casually. “I started smoking weed,” he explains, “and then my mom was going to the doctor and getting pain pills…I started taking pain pills and Xanax off of her.” His substance use didn’t seem to be a big deal at first, but the longer he used, the more of an issue it became.
The Downward Spiral of Addiction
Around 20, he began to use intravenous drugs, and eventually started using methamphetamines as well; according to him, “…it just went downhill from there.” He was in active addiction until just two years ago.
Devon’s Turning Point and Rehabilitation
“I went to rehab a bunch, and every time I got out, I would relapse.” Things did not truly begin to change until he went to prison, he says, where he participated in the SAP (Substance Abuse Treatment) program, a program that offers rehabilitation services to addicts who are incarcerated. “After about three years of self-reflection…and just really not liking who I looked at in the mirror, I was just done with it.”
How the Substance Abuse Treatment Program Transformed Devon’s Life
“The most important [part of my recovery] was the SAP program I went to while I was incarcerated,” Devon says. He describes the program as a “six-month, high-intensity rehab,” where he was taught the necessary skills to move through life without relying on substances.
The Rigorous Process of the SAP Program
He attributes much of his success in the program to his being in prison while he attended; “I just needed to get away.” As of the writing of this article, he has been clean for over two years, since April of 2021.
Devon’s Recovery: A Beacon of Hope for Others
Devon’s story is just one of the countless roads to recovery.
The Widespread Reality of Addiction
Some aspects of his story will ring true for many who struggle with addiction; a great deal of people begin using substances like drugs and alcohol in a casual setting, only to find that they need more and more to produce the desired inebriation. Unfortunately, in areas like Eastern Kentucky, it is remarkably easy to start using pills, thanks to the fallout from the Opioid Epidemic.
The Decision Point: Continuing Addiction or Seeking Help
However one begins abusing substances, however, all addicts eventually have to decide whether or not they want to continue dealing with the negative consequences of their addiction, or if they want to take the brave step of admitting that they need help and seeking treatment to overcome their struggles.
The Silver Lining: Life After Substance Abuse
Despite how immensely difficult recovering from substance abuse can be, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Devon’s Life Transformation Post-Recovery
Devon explains that, even just two years after getting clean, his life has changed for the better. “I got my license back, I have my own place, my bills are paid, I’m enrolled in college, and I’ve got my peer support certification.”
Devon’s Message of Hope to Others Struggling with Addiction
He ends his interview – and his story – with a message of hope for others who might be struggling still, a reminder that it is never too late to seek help. “There’s hope,” he insists. “Even when you don’t think anybody cares, somebody does care.”
Devon’s New Path: Helping Others with Train Kentucky’s Adult Peer Support Certification Course
Devon’s journey didn’t end with just overcoming his addiction; he decided to use his experience to help others going through similar struggles.
Taking the Leap with Train Kentucky’s Certification Course
Recently, Devon enrolled in Train Kentucky’s Adult Peer Support Certification Course. This comprehensive program allowed him to harness his lived experience and transform it into a tool for assisting others on their recovery journey.
Using Lived Experience to Transform Lives
With the knowledge and skills he gained from the certification course, Devon didn’t have to wait long to start making a difference. Within a week of completing the program, Train Kentucky helped him secure a position at a local treatment center. Now, Devon uses his personal journey to inspire and guide others towards their own paths to recovery.
Join Devon in Combating Addiction
If you, like Devon, want to use your lived experience to combat addiction and support others in their recovery journey, consider enrolling in Train Kentucky’s Adult Peer Support Certification Course. Begin your journey as a helping professional and play a crucial part in transforming lives.
