Q: Why is Teen Challenge one of the most effective drug recovery programs in America for individuals of all ages?

A: Teen Challenge attends to the needs of the whole person, not merely the drug addiction problem.

Jason's Story

It's a good thing I was involved with sports at such a young age, because it kept me out of a lot of trouble. In fact, all I could ever think about was being a professional athlete. I moved to Alabama at the age of 9, and it always seemed as if I was trying so desperately to fit in. I was from a small country town, and had to face the cultural shock of moving to a big city. I made many friends, but it seemed as if I was always alone. These lonely feelings caused much resentment and anger. My resentment and anger got worse when my life-long dream of going to the next level in sports was not fulfilled. I became a full-fledged alcoholic by the age of 18. Drinking and partying with my friends seemed to be the only thing that filled up the empty feelings I had. I voluntarily chose this horrible way to deal with all my problems.

I withdrew from my first year of junior college and was removed from my parent's insurance. That meant that I had to get a real job. While working for a moving company in Birmingham, I tried my first pain pill. I was immediately hooked. My habit rapidly increased to the point of almost 30 pills. I used cocaine, methamphetamines, ecstasy, and eventually crack cocaine. Not only was I destroying myself mentally and physically, but my parents were being put through pure misery. My mother couldn't sleep at night for wondering where I was. She was being crushed emotionally. I thought my father owed me much more than putting a roof over my head, so I started stealing money from him to buy drugs. I continued to work, getting a paycheck on Friday and being broke on Monday. I had reached the point of hopelessness.

I overdosed and almost died in my mothers arms. One week later, I entered the Alabama Teen Challenge discipleship program. One day before being inducted there, I surrendered to God, and my life was radically transformed. I finally found the only One who can fill the voids of my life.

Class of 2006