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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.”

Makenna’s life was in turmoil, sitting in county jail at 18 years old, facing her first felony. She initially rejected offers to go through treatment for drugs. “I was like, ‘No, absolutely not. I’d rather rot in here than go.'” Makenna’s perspective shifted upon hearing the anguish in her parents’ voices. “Something needs to change. If I’m not going to do this for me, then I need to do it for them.”

At Heartland Women’s Recovery Makenna learned a new way to live, specifically in how to handle relationships. “They’re built out of love and that was different for me because I’ve never had a friendship or been in a relationship that was built with trust. It’s just different.”

“I started drinking at a real young age and gravitated to the mess and it just sent me down a chaotic road.” Dustin found himself in a broken state which eventually took him down a road that led to incarceration. Eventually, he heard about Heartland and applied. “I’ve never seen a community quite like this. It just accepts you with open arms and don’t condemn you for your past.”

Through the program’s classes and group leaders, Dustin was able to seek the Lord and find healing. As he puts it, “Just being rooted and grounded in the Lord Jesus now…He’s fixed relationships with my family and the Lord’s been really good.” Dustin’s story is a testament to the hope and healing that can be found through faith and community support. If you know someone looking for help, reach out to us at Heartland Recovery.