Drink and drugs made my life an absolute mess: family, friends, work, relationships were ruined. In the end I felt utterly alone, invisible and suicidal.
For those who don’t know me – I was forever in a state of paranoia, run-ins with the police were rife and I can’t tell you how many times I ended up in A&E.
I wouldn’t have wished my life on anyone.
Teen Challenge Sunnybrae was an amazing experience, however it was tough: personal issues such as depression and overwhelming anxiety were brought to a head. I was and felt very vulnerable.
I successfully graduated in 2013, which was a great day. My friends and family were proud and I finally felt I had achieved something worthwhile.
The key to my recovery? Dealing with issues through my Christian faith instead of medication. I cannot thank all the staff at Sunnybrae enough for their trust and constant support.
Fast forward to 2019 and I’ve not looked back. I’m a self-employed gardener living happily in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Don’t get me wrong, life still throws the curveballs, but I know I can always reach out to God for understanding and strength.
Every day I am thankful for how my life has turned around.
In August 2016 my wife, Jennifer, suffered a miscarriage, followed by a hopeless spell of depression and time off work. I’d felt the loss deeply, but not to the extent of what she did. It was a difficult and frustrating time within just one year of marriage.
But with continuous prayer we came through this extremely difficult season to once again enjoy real peace and joy.
There were valuable lessons my wife and I learnt through that particular trial but then on July 1, 2018, we were blessed with a baby girl, Erin Georgia Limond Smith.
Every day I am thankful for how God has turned my life around. If you’re reading this; feeling helpless, broken, worthless, anxious, depressed, lonely or hurt, please know that God can get you through it. He can give you a new beginning and Teen Challenge is the perfect place to start.