Tucson Center Students

I was pretty rebellious growing up. Anything and everything I rebelled against. I was just 8 years old when my addiction began. I believe growing up in the generation that glorified drug use was a big proponent in me falling into an addiction. A recent health crisis is what brought me into Teen Challenge of Arizona. While here I hope to gain a closer relationship with God and maintain sobriety and my health.

Favorite Scripture: Psalms 2:3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us."

I grew up in a pretty broken home where there were lots of issues. This eventually led me to making risky choices and looking for a way to escape the pain that I was feeling. Looking back, I was tossed into full-blown addiction by the time that I was twenty years old. I liked the way that drugs temporarily filled the void within my heart, even though it would have huge consequences. Before deciding to come into the program, I experienced the death of my two brothers. I am here at Teen Challenge to receive healing from the Lord and to change my life for the better. I desire long-term sobriety and a rekindled relationship with Jesus Christ.

Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

I grew up in a very strong and supportive family. Around the age of 18 I started to use drugs. I wanted to fit in with others and drugs helped me do that. Most recently I got in trouble with the law. I came to Teen Challenge to deepen my family connections and heal from past drug use. I hope to develop a closer walk with Christ and break free from drug addiction. 

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I did not have a positive male figure in my life growing up, which led me to develop deep trust issues. I was left feeling abandoned, scared, unloved, helpless, and alone. I first used drugs at the age of 10. I was forced to smoke marijuana with someone who abused me and my addiction began there. I used drugs for over 30 years to cover up and mask the pain from my childhood and from being mentally, emotionally, and sexually abused. Before coming into the program, I was caught with a large amount of methamphetamine and was court ordered to go to Teen Challenge. I am here to grow closer to God and I see this as a blessing in my life. I hope to find the purpose that God has for my life and to graduate from the program. I am so excited to have a new found future in Christ! 

Favorite Scripture: Jeramiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, to give you a hope and a future.”

Life growing up was great for me. I had a loving mother and father who were always around and tried to teach me the best. I pretty much played every sport as well. I did not start drinking until high school and managed to get multiple degrees in college even while drinking and using substances. I liked drinking because all of my friends were doing it and I found it to be fun. Eventually I began relying on alcohol to cope with disappointments, stresses, and life’s problems. I received multiple DUI’s prior to coming into the program and needed to check myself in somewhere. I am looking to get close with God again while I’m here. Without a relationship with God, I am going to revert back to my old ways and habits. I need another chance. 

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.”

I would say my childhood was okay while I was growing up. My addiction really began at the age of 14. I started using Weed, PCP, and Meth as I continued in my addiction. I felt it in my heart that God called me to a place where I could grow in relationship with him. That place was here in Teen Challenge. I let go and let God. I hope after this program I will be able to live a good life. 

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against you will prosper.”

I would say my childhood was crazy, I was abused by my mother often. I started using drugs at the age of 16 which progressed to Meth at the age of 20. I used drugs to cover up the pain from life at home. I came into Teen Challenge after years of drug abuse and the emotional trauma I was dealing with from my mother. While in the program I hope to restore my relationship with God, learn how to forgive others, and move forward with my life. 

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

I had a good childhood growing up. I would say I was around 20 years old when my addiction began. The feeling of getting drunk was something I enjoyed. Most recently I have had a desire to get sober. I came to Teen Challenge to stop abusing alcohol. I hope to accomplish long term sobriety after I complete this program.  

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

Growing up, I had a hard life. I grew up in a broken home and left my house at the age of 14. I was getting in fights with my father and felt that it was time to leave. I was exposed to drugs at the age of five and was a full-blown addict by the time that I was fifteen years-old. I turned to meth because I felt that it helped me cope with my troubled life. Right before coming into Teen Challenge, I decided that I wanted to get closer to God. He led me here. I finished a sixteen-week intensive outpatient program and came into Teen Challenge right afterwards. I want the Lord to change my life. I want to draw close to him and view myself through his eyes. I also hope to learn to read and write better while being here. I am happy to have this opportunity.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

I grew up in a well-organized and loving family. We moved around a lot being a military family. At the age of 14 we moved to Italy which completely turned my life upside down and I started abusing alcohol. I used alcohol as an escape and to fit in. Going forward I want to maintain sobriety and strengthen my relationship with God while here in Teen Challenge. 

Favorite Scripture: Lamentations 3:49-50 “My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief, until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees.”

Life was actually pretty great growing up. I had loving parents and I grew up in a supportive home. When I was in high school I began using drugs. However, my dad passed away around eight years ago and things changed. My mother also recently passed away. I initially began using drugs because that was the type of thing that my friends were doing. I was also involved in a car wreck that increased the amount of drugs that I was doing. I decided to make a change and come into Teen Challenge after losing both of my parents, my house, car, and all other possessions. I am searching for my God-given purpose and direction. I aspire to graduate from the program and start a new life. 

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 18:12 “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”

Growing up, my mother took care of me, as my dad was pretty much out of the picture. He struggled with alcoholism for the majority of his life and it ended up leading to his death at a rather young age. I began partying when I was younger and drank socially in my mid-to-late twenties. I had a successful career as a general contractor and was married with kids, a house, and a nice income. However, over the years, addiction began to take and take until I reached a place in which I was desperate for help. I felt that the alcohol helped me cope with the separation with my wife. We were married for around twenty years and the divorce destroyed me. I am here at Teen Challenge because my daughter had been praying that I would receive help and I reached a place in which I was desperate. I am here to grow closer in my walk with the Lord and to establish a successful routine that will follow me when I complete the program. 

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 26:12 “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”

My life was pretty abusive growing up. In 2016 my addiction to alcohol began. I drank because I thought it would make things in my life easier and better. I was wrong. I came to Teen Challenge because my trauma and behavior were affecting my first born son and soon to be wife. I hope to regain some of my childhood that I lost while here and to grow in my relationship with God. 

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.”

Growing up, life was pretty tough. There were family conflicts that I was caught in the middle of and my dad gave me a few bad experiences. My addiction initially began around the age of 17. It started with drugs such as marijuana and cocaine, but progressed to harder drugs down the road. Looking back, I used substances to try to numb the pain that my father caused. Before coming into Teen Challenge, I had a pretty severe stroke. I lost my job and my sense of identity. I am here at Teen Challenge to get back to my roots. I was raised a Christian and walked with God, but ended up doing my own thing. I have faith that the Lord will restore what was taken from me. I hope to one day own my own business again. The Lord will take care of me. I am excited for His plan for my life!

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 8:20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

I had a good family life for the most part growing up. I remember being picked on a lot as a child for the color of my skin. My addiction began around 6th to 7th grade, which was my first-time smoking marijuana and drinking. At first, I used drugs and alcohol to fit in, to feel accepted. It quickly turned into a lifestyle, and spiraled out of control when I was introduced to methamphetamine and heroin. Five years ago, I left Teen Challenge New Mexico but really had a seed planted in my heart there. Since then, I drank alcohol almost every day. I could provide for myself physically, but I was dying inside. I had a hole in my heart that I knew only Jesus could fill. So finally, I came back to Teen Challenge to start living for Jesus. I’m here to save my life and start anew serving the Lord. I’m going to finish the program and see what Jesus has for me next.

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I was raised in West Virginia. Growing up we grew our own vegetables and raised our own livestock. I started to drink because a bunch of coal miners made it look fun and exciting. I would steal beer from the age of 7 till the age of 14. Towards the later part of my life I started to drink to mask the feeling of not being good enough. Most recently I was kicked out of my place of living for not being able to provide for myself. I am here in Teen Challenge to get healthy and stable while growing in relationship with Christ. 

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver or gold.”

I was sort of a bad kid growing up. I did my own thing getting in and out of trouble. I began drinking in my senior year of high school. I believe I started to drink due to growing problems at home with my father as well as myself. A recent stay in jail and a plea deal brought me to Teen Challenge of Arizona. Even though I am here by decision of the court, I aim to complete this program and to show the courts that I am a changed man seeking a new life.

Favorite Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:3 “A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build.”