Adam's Story — Everyone Deserves a Second Chance

A Story of Trials and Recovery

“I never had a smile before here; addiction is tough,” explained Adam Reed, a former resident of Pawnee Mental Health’s Discovery Sober Living House. “But, struggling persists, and doing wrong in life is easy daily.”

Adam’s story is not an uncommon one. We all know people who struggle with addictions. Sometimes, they are our closest loved ones.

“Addiction is a relentless disease, with frequent temptation and the threat of relapse. Recovery isn’t a quick fix. It requires you to know your strengths and challenges, demonstrate self-control and problem-solving, and seek support when needed. Every step forward is a note of success, and individuals must remain in the relentless pursuit to overcome their disease of addiction,” said Discovery Sober Living House Coordinator Dana Martinez.

For those who stay in Pawnee’s Discovery Sober Living House, their stories are of struggle and triumph.

Adam grew up in Kansas with his siblings and divorced parents. In his early teenage years, he started getting involved with drugs and alcohol. He would spend his time partying with his siblings and finding comfort in the indulgence of substances.

“There were moments when I knew I had a problem, and my family did too,” Adam recalled. Eventually, Adam’s mom kicked him out, and he moved in with his dad, an alcoholic. Despite the realization of his addiction, Adam continued to grapple with the worst of addiction, resulting in an arrest in the Summer of 2022.

His arrest, including a stint in jail and precarious living conditions, emphasized the depths of his struggle. Yet, amidst the struggle, a friend provided the opportunity to do laundry and shower and encouraged him to get clean and he soon recognized that “no one could truly help me if I didn’t want to help myself.”

Following his previous arrest, he was sentenced for substance misuse and assigned a therapist from Pawnee Mental Health, who introduced him to the opportunity of the Discovery Sober Living House in Manhattan, Kansas.

On the day before his birthday, Sunday, February 19, Adam committed to enter the house as a “gift to himself.” This is when Adam’s story of recovery began.

The road to recovery is a journey that begins with a single step. The first step is to admit there’s a problem.

“The first week in the house, he slept and detoxed. By the 2nd and 3rd weeks, Adam was buying into the program and started making all his Level 2 groups and attending recovery meetings in the community. It wasn’t long before he was excited about having a safe, sober living environment and a nice comfortable bed to sleep in,” Martinez added.

Recovery isn’t a quick fix. It requires you to know your strengths and challenges, demonstrate self-control and problemsolving, and seek support when needed.

After Adam spent ninety days in the Discovery Sober Living House, he was ready to transition into the Oxford House, a fully self-supporting and drug-free home. Through perseverance, he has regained his family connections, even working for his brother, and continues to be a better influence and role model for his kids.

“I have witnessed Adam go from no self-esteem to confidence that has given him a life he has not known for many years, if not ever. He now has a full-time job in the community and has his two children every other week. He still struggles with mental health but has advocated for himself and works closely with his treatment provider,” said Martinez.

“People are worth more than they give themselves credit for. I am enough, and everyone deserves a second chance,” Adam added.

“Everyone’s needs are different, and I have witnessed positive changes in the lives of those the house serves. Together, we are saving more lives. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Adam. Recovery is a journey, not a destination,” Martinez concluded.

For Adam and countless others, the Discovery Sober Living House represents a beacon of hope, lighting the path to recovery and renewal.

In a recent update in February 2024, Adam’s ongoing progress serves as a testament to the enduring impact of his Discovery Sober Living House journey. Adam maintains a stable, full-time job and holds leadership roles within the community, actively with Narcotics Anonymous and the Oxford House Chapter 11. Additionally, he extends his support as a sponsor and continues to help new men embarking on their paths to recovery within the Discovery Sober Living House.