Addiction doesn’t discriminate

Casey Adams, 24, had his first drink and drug at 13 with an older brother. Jesse Dean, 25, first tried an opiate at 15 that he bought from a fellow high school student.

Adams came from what we would call a dysfunctional family. His father was in prison by the time he was 5 years old. His four older siblings used drugs, were in gangs, committed crimes, served time in prison. One committed suicide. The only life he knew was drugs and petty crimes, and once he started using, he never stopped. He eventually was kicked out of high school.

Dean came from a good family and didn’t want for anything. He attended a private school. No history of addiction in his family. Never saw his parents drink or do drugs. In his teens, he knew a lot of kids selling opiates they brought from their parents’ homes. Pills were easier to get than alcohol. One day on impulse he decided he’d like to try one. He liked the warm feeling and extra energy. He was certain he wouldn’t become addicted, and using became a regular habit.

Dean worked to get money to buy the drugs and had no problem graduating from high school, but as the drug use escalated, he flunked out of college, and the downward spiral began.

Both Adams and Dean ended up at Jesus House in their 20s — both alcoholics and addicts whose lives had spun out of control and had no place else to go.

Today, Adams has his high school diploma, is sober, manages a warehouse, attends 10 or more Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week, has a sponsor and is a sponsor, has his own home, owns a car and buys his own car insurance.

Dean is employed as a case manager at Jesus House, attends college and after graduation plans to continue his education in the rehabilitation and mental health field so he can help others.

Both are reunited with their parents. Both wanted me to use their full names, so if you need help you know where to find them.