Wesley, a St. Louis native, recalls how his struggles with narcotics, alcohol, and a reckless lifestyle culminated in a head-on collision that left him in a coma. “That accident was my wake-up call,” Wesley says. “It brought me to Heartland and the start of my recovery.”
At Heartland, Wesley experienced genuine love and support. “When I arrived, the guys rallied around me, even putting together a suit and tie for church when I didn’t have one,” he shares. “They showed me what it’s like to love like Christ loves us.”
Now a firm believer in Jesus, Wesley is preparing for a new chapter in a faith-based work transition program in Springfield, Missouri. His advice to others is simple yet powerful: “Start reading the Bible, take it seriously, and let the Holy Spirit change your heart over time.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, consider taking the first step toward a new life. Visit Heartland Recovery and discover the hope and transformation that’s possible through Jesus.
Walking Through Recovery | Jordan’s Story
Jordan from Hannibal, Missouri, found himself drawn into a destructive lifestyle through the guys he started working with, as a young man he was completely unaware of how deeply it would impact the rest of his life. “It was a slow beginning for me,” he shares. “I didn’t just fall into it—I slowly began to do things I normally wouldn’t do, and over time, it became who I was.” By 2008, Jordan faced the consequences of his actions, serving four years in prison for crimes rooted in his drug addiction. Rather than change his life continued to spiral further into chaos, “I didn’t realize I was under demonic influence,” he admits. “My life was in bondage, and I didn’t know that’s what was going on.”
Jordan eventually found his way to the Heartland Recovery Program, where he learned accountability and began to rebuild his life through faith. He committed himself to Christ in 2022, embracing a transformative path. “The biggest change was learning to trust in God and surrender my ways. I’ve found restoration in my relationships and discovered that addiction wasn’t my problem—sin was.”
Addiction is messy, and recovering from depending on it takes time and accountability. If you or someone you know is looking for a safe place to recover and heal please reach out to us today!
Walking Through Recovery | Josh Thomas’s Story
A teenage affair with his youth pastor’s wife threw Josh’s life into chaos. He dropped out of school and turned to alcohol, but it just lead him further away from the healing he needed. The alcohol lead to hard drugs, Josh knew he needed to find help.
At the age of 39 he woke up, “I realized if I didn’t do something, I was going to die.” A friend had once mentioned Heartland, but Josh dismissed it, feeling he didn’t need such an intensive program. However, after years of deepening struggles, he decided to give it a chance. Heartland provided a place of support and care, allowing Josh to reconnect not just with others, but also with God in a way he never had before. “The biggest change in my life was that when I sought God, He was found, and He answered me,”
To those who feel trapped in their struggles, Josh offers a heartfelt message: “Wherever you are, whatever you’re going through, know that God cares and wants to help. Heartland is here for you, but the answer is Jesus.” Seek out support, call on God, and take the first step toward healing.
At Heartland Recovery, we want to help. We’ve removed one of the biggest roadblocks to taking that next step toward freedom—the cost of treatment—thanks to the generosity of donors who fully fund Heartland Recovery programs for men and women wanting to change. Call today.
Walking Through Recovery | Devon’s Story
Devon’s struggle began early in life when he turned to alcohol and, eventually, drugs to cope with unresolved trauma. Reflecting on those dark years, he says, “I tried repeatedly to stop on my own… I felt so alone and didn’t know how to quit.”
A pivotal moment led him to Heartland, where he found not only support but a sense of belonging. “Coming to Heartland and getting to know God… has been the best thing that ever happened to me,” Devon explains. Surrounded by a community that embraced him in a Godly way, he discovered how to live, connect, and fellowship without the need for substances. His life and relationships have flourished, and he now understands what it means to be a Christian man.
To anyone still struggling, Devon urges, “Don’t try to go through it alone. You need God, and you need people to help you.” If you or someone you know is battling addiction, take that first step toward freedom and reach out for support. The journey is challenging, but it is undeniably worth it. If you or someone you know is looking for hope, freedom, or peace reach out to us today!
Walking Through Recovery | Shawn’s Story
Shawn’s life quickly went off the rails after his father was sentenced to death for murder. Shawn was just 11 years old. Eleven years later he was called in to witness his father’s execution. The pain and anger were uncontrollable, recounts Shawn, which “began a mountain of pain in my life. …Over the course of 26 years I battled drugs and alcohol to try and numb the pain.”
Eventually, after years in and out of jail, Shawn found himself facing a long sentence for a petty crime. The courts were done with Shawn; his family was done with him; finally he cried out to God for help and was handed an application to the Heartland Recovery Program. At Heartland, he began to finally work through his pain, forgiving those he once hated; miraculously, even the man who executed his father.
Through Scripture, counseling, and support from the Heartland Community, Shawn found peace, forgiveness, and a renewed sense of purpose. Shawn shared this for others fighting the battle of addiction, “There’s hope and there’s freedom and peace.”
Brokenness leads many people into addiction as they try to cope or hide from their problems. Heartland Recovery is here to help you not just get sober, but to point you to the One who can truly heal. If you or someone you know is looking for hope, freedom, or peace reach out to us today!
Walking Through Recovery | Eric’s Story
Eric’s struggles began in his early teens when he started using alcohol and marijuana. He realized that his addiction had taken over when he was staring at his drugs anxiously planning on “trying to get more” because it was never enough. As his addiction escalated, he found himself in a cycle of legal trouble and homelessness.
Sitting in prison, Eric heard about Heartland Recovery and decided to apply. During his time in the Men’s Recovery Program, the most significant change he experienced was building a relationship with God. “I needed to trust in Him and turn my whole life and everything over to Him,” Eric reflected. Today he has hope, faith, and a support system that will continue to guide him as he reintegrates into society. Eric encourages anyone who is struggling and doesn’t know where to turn to consider Heartland.