“MY name is Miles S., and I am 28 years old. I have 14 months clean and sober and have just graduated the last house program. Today, I get to be a sober example to my brother.
Prior to my arrival to last house I used drugs for 14 years straight. My drug of choice was Meth and was a needle IV user. My life was unmanageable and I was homeless. I was so dependent on meth. I put meth before my family and friends. I lost the Job my apartment, and car. I was hopeless. Coming into last house saved my life. When I first arrived there I was scared for change I was scared that I would never be able to get high again. That’s all I wanted was to get high. But when I arrived at last house I saw people who have been in the house for a while I saw people who were happy and I wanted that. I wanted to have my life back I wanted to have my family back in my life. I was put on restriction. I did not like restriction at first; I hated it because I had to do what other told me to do instead of doing what I wanted to do. I would always do what I wanted when I was out there, but having someone else tell me what I could and could not do really helped me get humble and realize that I really do need to start listening to what others are saying because they are just trying to help me. My best thinking got me where I was and that was with nothing. I was required to plan out my day each day which I have never done in my life. I was required to go to 2 AA meetings a day and get a sponsor (a sponsor is someone who you call every day and that takes you through the 12 steps of the AA program). I was to hold others accountable and hold myself accountable. I was required to do chores every day. Before recovery I did not ever clean my own place or pick up after myself. This helped me respect the place I lived in and respect others that live with me by not being a slob. At first I would half measure my chores and not care but then after a while I ended up taking pride in my chores and doing my best. The house structure was key in my sobriety I would have not have been able to stay sober without it. I would not have lasted this long if it wasn’t for the rules of the house. The house helped me work a program and taught me have to live. They would pull me up when they noticed me lacking on my step work or helped me when they noticed my behaviors being off. My favorite part of the house is being able to come home each day to a house full of guys that care about you. I called the house my safe zone. I also love the dinners and groups we have in the house. Dinner is 3 times a week were we discuss our behaviors in the house and provide feedback to others in the house that need help with situations that they are going through. There was so much I gained from those groups. Before coming to this house I had no way of knowing how to stay sober at all. I was able to accomplish so much while being a resident in the house and the house gave me the tools I needed to help me accomplish those things. I was able to go back to work in the house and suit up and show up on time to work. I never was able to hold down a job. I was able to take classes in the house to get my insurance license and ended up passing and getting my insurance license! I was able to get my Driver’s license back when in the house and was able to go home to see my family for the holidays and was able to stay clean and sober while going to see my family. Being in the house I was able to work the 12 steps of the AA program and that changed my perception on life and really changed me on who I was as a person. I was able to see my part in situations I have gone through in the past. My life has changed so much this past year I am a different person from when I first walked through these doors. I was able to do it by just listening to what others have to say to me and not running on my own thinking. I it was good to have the time in the house to invest in myself and to take care of myself. This house has really taught me a new way of life. Today I work full time as an insurance agent and also work in recovery as well. I still go to AA meetings once a day and I work a program. I am involved with the house. I work with others in the house in being there for the new guys that come through the house. This house is all about brotherhood it is my second family and I will never forget what this house has done for me and the gifts I have received from being in this house. I am happy today and have feelings today. I love being able to go and be a part of my families lives. Being able to be a positive role model to my youngest brother means the world to me. Drugs had a hold of me and I was ok with that until I found a new way of life. I do not have urges to use today I do not have the craving to use and that is a miracle in its own.
Thank you last house for saving my life!”
Miles S. – alumni of The Last House