Michael grew up in a rough, drug-infested neighborhood in St. Louis. Surrounded by people dealing or using drugs, he rebelled against his strict family. Looking back, he admits, “It wasn’t fun now that I think back on it, it was not fun at all.” His life spiraled as he started staying out all night and hanging with the wrong crowd, influenced by drugs and shame.
Michael had been through Heartland Recovery Program before, but a year ago, he relapsed, thinking he could hide it. The turning point came when his daughter, who always called him “Daddy,” addressed him as “Michael” at his job. “That hurt me to my soul,” he recalls, realizing she was too ashamed to acknowledge him as her father. This moment pushed him to seek help. Since returning to Heartland, Michael has reconnected with his family, talking to his daughter and grandsons weekly. He believes in finding Jesus and just living a good life. “I just feel like God put in my heart that day, you know, to just change and do better.” Michael’s advice to others is clear: avoid drugs, find Jesus, read the Bible, and live a better life knowing God is always watching. “If you never use drugs, don’t use them,” he urges. “Find Jesus because if you don’t, the devil will find you.”
Through the generosity of donors, Heartland is able to provide a place without charge to people like Michael looking for freedom and a fresh start. Help get the word out by sharing these testimonies or letting those who are struggling know there is a place they can get help!
Walking Through Recovery | Nick’s Story
Nick’s journey with addiction began at age seven due to an abusive stepfather. Watching his stepfather numb himself with alcohol, Nick discovered alcohol could numb his pain too, but that only led to hitting absolute rock bottom with a suicide attempt in 2018. The 12-step program helped him get back on his feet, but four years later, Nick relapsed into gambling. Much to his surprise this landed him in jail, which was a wake up call yet again.
Feeling God leading him to Heartland Recovery, Nick filled out an application in jail. Initially resistant, he eventually surrendered to God and found true healing. Now, nearing graduation, he’s committed to following God’s will and has begun to see restoration in some of his broken relationships. His advice to those struggling? While 12-step programs help, true transformation comes from knowing God and His love. Heartland is a place you can come and find God.
Have you tried other Recovery programs, but feel like you need something deeper? Reach out today. Through the generosity of donors, we are able to provide a place without charge to men and women looking for freedom and a fresh start. Help get the word out by sharing these testimonies or letting those who are struggling know there is a place they can get help!
“I was tired of living in sin and the bondage…”
Briar, a 26-year-old from Armstrong, Missouri and a recent graduate of the Heartland Recovery Program shares his journey from addiction to redemption. Starting with early experiments with alcohol and marijuana, he spiraled into cocaine and meth use, facing prison and losing custody of his children. “I was tired of living in sin and the bondage of my identity in everything else but God.”
Ready for change, he turned to Heartland, realizing the need to reconcile his relationship with Christ. Over the course of his 12-month program, McLain’s life underwent a profound shift. He urges others struggling with addiction to turn to Jesus Christ. That’s what made the difference in his life. “If you need recovery, come to Heartland.”
Are you tired of trying to beat addiction on your own? Reach out today. Through the generosity of donors, we are able to provide a place without charge to men and women looking for freedom and a fresh start.
“They had to Narcan me seven times…”
While Josh was walking through recovery at Heartland in 2023, the fentanyl overdose death rate in the U.S. topped 112,000 in a 12 month period for the first time (according to CDC stats). Josh’s own brush with death came when he overdosed on a combination of drugs, fentanyl being one of them. “I had hardly ever tried it. I didn’t even like to do it, but because I was under the influence of other drugs I did so and overdosed. They had to Narcan me seven times. I know that wasn’t what brought me back to life, but it was the mercy and grace of God.”
Living in an environment at Heartland Men’s Recovery where he experienced the presence of God through the Bible, classes, chapel services, and Church involvement brought Josh to the realization that, “Addiction is not your problem. It’s not the root problem. It’s sin and you need to surrender your life to Christ and repent.” He did just that, and now the shame that was hanging over his life is gone.
Today, Josh is clean and continues to grow in his walk with Christ, pursuing Bible College classes, serving his community, and using the gift of music God has given him. “You have to be intentional about being part part of a church body because we need each other. God will be with you as you walk along with others.”
Congratulations to Josh on completing the Heartland Men’s Recovery 1-year program. Through the generosity of donors, we are able to provide a place without charge to men and women looking for deliverance from bondage. If you know someone who needs help, contact our Admissions office.
Walking Through Recovery | Wyatt’s Story
Looking for affirmation and trying to impress others was the start of Wyatt’s journey into addiction. Validation soon took precedence over relationships with family and friends, and Wyatt found himself headed for prison, not sure where to turn next. Faced with the choice of continuing down a destructive path or embracing change, he opted for giving Heartland a try.
Change for Wyatt came as he worked one on one with Men’s Recovery group leaders. “I saw that what they came from wasn’t too far off from what I was coming from… but it wasn’t just them doing it, it was something else in their life and that was Jesus.” Graduating from the program, Wyatt has built strong and meaningful relationships. He encourages those grappling with addiction to recognize that change isn’t solely about one’s actions or location, “It’s the people that you’re going to constantly surround yourself with.”
If you’re looking for real life change, reach out to Heartland Recovery. We continue to see men like Wyatt set on a new path of freedom and life.
“My mother and grandmother could not trust me, they were worried sick about me…”
Starting at the age of 12, Brianna smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol which later lead to methamphetamine and harder drugs. From that point things quickly started getting out of hand. She shared, “My mother and grandmother could not trust me, they were worried sick about me when I wasn’t with them, and then the times that I was with them, they just couldn’t trust me.”
Brianna reached a turning point when she found herself committing crimes. She arrived at Heartland Recovery which began a transformative time for her in understanding self-forgiveness and the importance of communication, though she was initially unable to converse due to paranoia.
Now, Brianna places her trust in God, and has committed her life to serving Him. She encourages those struggling with addiction, “There is no sin, no flaw that is too big or too small for God to forgive you. You can be forgiven and salvation is 100% all the time available to you.” Reach out to Heartland Recovery today for help!