True
Freedom
Client testimony by D. Russell Smith, II
I truly thank God for New Destiny Treatment Center. It is a wonderful thing
to discover you are in the center of God’s will.
I grew up in southern Indiana near the Ohio River. I was raised in a Christian
home and am thankful to God for the spiritual foundation I received as a
child.
However, at age 15 I started to rebel against what I had been taught. I wanted
to run my own life. I tried alcohol just to be “cool” and do
something I shouldn’t be doing. I loved the taste and how it made me
feel from the very first drink. By 19, I was a full-blown alcoholic, although
no one could have convinced me of that.
During the next 12 years, alcohol and other drugs gradually took away everyone
I knew and everything I had. I lost jobs, money, cars, relationships, respect
and trust. The drugs and alcohol took control of my physical and mental well-being.
Alcohol controlled me so much that just to function every morning I needed
to drink an amount that would make most men staggering drunk. Despite my
day’s “preparation,” I experienced withdrawal symptoms
before my eight-hour work shift was over.
In February 2005 I received my first DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charge.
A few days later I had a minor nervous breakdown. Doctors told me that my
liver was damaged and advised me to stop drinking immediately.
Beaten down mentally, physically and emotionally, I had no place left to
run. In His infinite mercy, God finally brought me to a place at which I
had to seek help or die and be lost for eternity.
I called my pastor and asked him to contact New Destiny Treatment Center.
He was told I could become a client if I obtained a court order.
In court, the judge’s intention was to give me a six-month driver’s
license suspension and three days in an alcohol intervention program. “Your
Honor,” I said, “if you don’t order me to enroll in the
New Destiny Treatment Center program, I will probably die an alcoholic.”
I suspect my lawyer thought I was crazy to ask for a nine-month program in
place of a three-day intervention, but God and the judge knew I was serious.
Before I attended the NDTC chapel service the evening of my arrival, I felt
God speaking to me. It was time to live life God’s way instead of my
way.
My nine months of treatment have not been easy. With God’s help and
the patience and willingness of a loving staff, I have experienced true freedom.
Today I am not only free from drugs and alcohol; I have the forgiveness promised
by Jesus Christ!
I plan to attend Bible college next year and major in ministerial studies.
My thoughts are expressed by the lyrics of an old song, “If I can help
somebody, then my living shall not be in vain!”
Thank God for NDTC and especially for His son, Jesus Christ.
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© 2005 New Destiny Treatment Center, a non-profit organization.
