Peer pressure led Clay to experiment with drugs and alcohol during high school, initially without significant consequences. However after a surgery and recovering on pain medication, addiction took hold, leading to a cycle of treatment centers and relapses. The turning point came during a jail sentence when Clay realized the extent of the damage caused by his addiction. “I knew that I couldn’t do it on my own…. I was arrested. I was in jail, and I knew that it was time for me to straighten up”
Seeking help, Clay found a spiritual-based program called Heartland, where he finally began to find peace. Over the last 12 months of the recovery process Clay has seen relationships restored and found hope. When asked how he was feeling as he prepared to graduate Clay said, “I feel good. Times before I was real nervous around this time, when it was time to be going home. The Lord’s restored in me a new peace. I’m pretty comfortable where I’m at and how I feel.”