Aaron graduated from high school and had planned on joining the military. He was told instead, that because of his asthma, he would not be allowed to enlist. Dealing with the sudden change in his chosen path became a challenge. That summer was a turning point in his life.
He moved in with his high school friends who were playing football at college. Aaron decided he needed to be the life of the party and began drinking to fit in.
It was only a matter of time before the heavier drugs came out,
Aaron recalls.
At that time, Aaron didn't realize he’d opened the door to a 20-year battle with addiction.
I was homeless, living on the streets the summer of 2014. My mom had just died. I walked up one night on the hill and I was done. I was going to jump off and end my life. I fully believed I was not worth anything. I felt I was insufficient, I felt like I wasn’t a good dad, I felt I wasn’t doing my part. That’s when the cops pulled up to check on me.
Thankfully, Aaron had an outstanding warrant and was arrested that night.
Unfortunately, I was used to incarceration. But there was something different that happened inside of me. I said, “I’m either done or I’m dead.” So right there, I decided to make a change.
Aaron believes Switchpoint saved him.
They gave me a place to stay, they gave me food to eat and they gave me transportation via a bus ticket. They gave me people who took the time to answer my questions when I didn’t know what to do next.
The process gave Aaron structure that he desperately craved so he could focus on laying a foundation to create a new life full of the independence that he now believed was possible.
Switchpoint helped me regain my self-worth and feel that I am doing my part. I am a human being again. It’s a game changer.
Aaron now works with a local company helping others overcome addiction. He is attending Dixie State University and is a drug court mentor. Aaron is a proud father and says he will always continue to support Switchpoint.
