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.”

Growing up, I had a picture perfect childhood. We had family dinners at the table every night and were at church every Wednesday and Sunday. My addiction began at the age of 16. My addiction stemmed from depression, anxiety, not feeling wanted, and feelings of inadequacy. I was unemployed trying to find a purpose and heavy in alcohol addiction at this point when I came to Teen Challenge. One day God told me enough was enough. With help from family and loved ones, I was able to come to Teen Challenge. I hope to fan this spark, and to ignite a passion for Christ, and to share His story and my story.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8 - Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

I had a nice childhood until my father passed in 2008, afterwards life became regularly chaotic and my family support system began breaking down. I dabbled with substances in college, but after graduating my structure and focus in life was absent and it was only 2 years before I started using drugs daily. I used drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for uncomfortable feelings and as a crutch in social situations. Over the past year my substance abuse has gotten more out of control. My family became concerned and found out about Teen Challenge. I am here to regain control of my life, and to feel better about myself. I hope to learn coping skills I missed out on when I was younger. I hope to take better care of myself and my health and to get closer to God.

Favorite Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever.

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 had a good childhood while I was growing up, but things got bad sometimes. I didn’t really have an addiction, maybe like video games and the TV but that’s really it. I never used drugs or drank, but I was homeless a few times. I am here because I was homeless and had no real place left to go. A friend ended up bringing me here, but I now would like to complete this whole thing!

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

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 parents divorced at age 12, I was bullied, overweight and stuttered when I spoke. In my 20’s my firstborn daughter passed away, and my addiction ramped up when I found my father dead in his home. I used my addiction to cover my pain and hide in my insecurities. I realized that my alcohol issue was taking over and I was always depressed and anxious about life. I am here at Teen Challenge to build an everlasting relationship with God. I want to fully submit to God’s will and purpose for my life. I hope to be a better man and to be a role model for others. I am here to learn how to serve Jesus every day of my life. 

Favorite Scripture: Psalms 46:10 “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”

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.”

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.”

Growing up, life was good until I started learning the ugly truths about why me and my brothers lived with my Mamaw. My addiction began at the age of 9. I used drugs to forget the pain and troubles of my childhood. I ended up in a crisis where I lost myself and relapsed, which brought me here to Teen Challenge. I am here to rediscover myself and rebuild my relationship with God. I hope to find myself and to become the spiritual leader that I need to be for my family.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 56:8-9 “You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in Your book? Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know; God is for me.”

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.”