Coming from an alcoholic family, Carissa started using meth and coke at the age of 19. When she was arrested on a theft charge, she woke up to the fact that her two-year old was “getting to the point where he’s going to need his mama in his life” and realized it was time for a change. She sought help from other places before ending up at Heartland Recovery’s 12-month residential program. Here, Carissa found the support she needed in the staff at the women’s home. Through those relationships and her new-found faith in Jesus, Carissa is striving to mend relationships, make amends, and create a better future for herself and her family.
“I was always up and down, unreliable and untrustworthy…
Roger’s journey to recovery started with his desire to be a better husband and father. “I was always up and down, unreliable and untrustworthy. I wanted so much to be a good father, to be a good husband, and I was failing.” His turning point arrived when he hit rock bottom, seeking help at Heartland out of a desperate desire to hold his family together. Little did he know that this journey would lead him to a spiritual awakening.
God began speaking to Roger again at Heartland and that transformed his beliefs and outlook on life. During his time here, he discovered the value of relationships and the freedom of living authentically. With these new tools in hand, Roger aims to share the love and teachings of Christ with those in need, emphasizing that seeking help and embracing faith can break the chains of addiction. “You can’t do this alone. Christ Alone is the one thing in my life that has changed me.”
That’s what Heartland is, a place to find Jesus and His redeeming power and to walk through recovery with people who care and hold you accountable.
“I just kept making bad decisions…”
Austin, started his journey into addiction smoking weed that lead him into downward spiral of bad decisions, stating, “I just kept making bad decisions, and no matter what decision I made, it just kept going wrong for me.”
However, when he learned about Heartland, a program offering hope for change, he felt a renewed sense of purpose: “I knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to change but I wasn’t doing nothing about it, and… when I heard about Heartland, I knew that that was going to make a difference.” Austin credited his transformation to accepting Jesus into his life, emphasizing, “I didn’t have to do it on my own; he showed me that he was there walking beside me instead of me feeling like I was left alone to fight my battles.”
Austin’s journey is far from over, but his time at Heartland Recovery has better equipped him to deal with life. Do you know someone struggling today that could use a second chance?
The rest of my life in prison if I didn’t change…
Justin grew up going to a private school. However, his high school experience took a turn for the worse as he “started hanging around the wrong people… progressed to other heavier drugs.”
A few years after graduating high school Justin lost his brother to suicide. This loss started Justin down “a really bad road” marked by imprisonment and relapses. Even intermittent attempts at rehabilitation were thwarted by his mother’s demise and his father’s battle with cancer, prompting a return to addiction and criminal behavior, resorting to theft and violence to support his addiction. As the felony charges started to pile up, Justin realized that he was going to spend ” the rest of my life in prison if I didn’t change.”
A judge gave Justin one last opportunity for redemption through the Heartland program. Justin began to “trust in the Lord and… lean on him.” instead of turning to drugs to deal with life. God has begun to restore relationships as Justin has leaned on Him. Justin shared that, “there is an answer… Jesus Christ loves you and he died on the cross to give you from your sins.”
…The more I tried to get out the further I sank…
Tim, battled drug addiction for 25 years. After seeking help at numerous treatment centers life began to feel like a revolving door, “It was a lot of the same, just patterns of my using. It was just a trap. The more I tried to get out the further I sank.” Seeking God’s guidance, he found hope through Heartland Recovery, a place that welcomed him with love and support. Surrounded by Godly men and building a relationship with Jesus, Timothy’s life turned around.
“I’m hopeful. You know, my future looks bright. I’m not dreading what tomorrow’s going to bring.” He encourages others struggling with addiction to seek help from Heartland, persevere, and trust the process, knowing that there is hope and a brighter future with God’s guidance.
“He’ll show you you’re not alone…”
Jessen’s arrest served as a wake-up call, making him question the purpose of his self-destructive behavior. “I didn’t even know why I was getting high… It took everything.” Caught in addiction Jessen came to Heartland Recovery.
At Heartland Jessen found hope and peace. He acknowledges the damage he caused but remains grateful for God’s guidance and restoration, understanding that healing takes time. When asked what advice he offers others caught in addiction, he emphasizes the importance of finding support within the church community, emphasizing, “Get to a church, man. He’ll snatch you right up and show you you’re not alone.”