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[whoisanaddict-blog]

Name: Taylor Jaeschke Hometown: West Chester, Pa Age: 23 Education: High School Diploma What are some things you are proud of? Having a beautiful son who's healthy and smart, being there for my friends and contributing to my family and society. What brings you joy? Making music and art and spending time with my little guy. I love teaching him things about plants, animals and the stars. What are you grateful for? My son and my supportive family. Without my family I wouldn't have near the opportunities that I do now. They've taken me into their home and helped look after my boy when I needed them. What is love to you? Love in that unconditional, magical type of kindness humans are innately blessed with. Love is a lot like God, I think. What do you believe in? Aliens and games. What are some short term goals you have? Long term? Without God I know that nothing else will fall into place. I'm working full time saving money for a car, and I hope to get custody of my son back and be a integral part of his life again. Long term, I really want to be a teacher. Have the summers off and be with teens, teaching art or English so I can help spread the idea of expression being the meaning of life. The cure all, if you will.

[whoisanaddict-blog]

Message from an admin:

Hi, my name is Alice. I am a grateful recovering addict who believes in love, hope, and second chances. Through my experience with addiction I have found so much beauty, intelligence, profoundness, and spiritual connection. I believe that one of the most important things that needs to be shared about addicts is that before they are an addict they are human. The humanity displayed in the recovery community had such an impact on me that I had to share it with others, thus birthing the “who is an addict” project. We interview addicts both in recovery and active addiction as well as people who have lost loved ones to this disease. Our main objective is to show people the diversity and positivity of our friends who have struggled with or are currently struggling with the disease of addiction.

I got involved with recovery at nineteen and am moving forward in my journey today. I am a singer songwriter, a sister, a daughter, and a friend to many who I love and who love me. I am from Lancaster, Pennsylvania but was drawn to south Florida by the recovery community here. I am active in my recovery and passionate about advocation and education about the disease of addiction. I am a high school graduate and am planning to pursue a degree and career in drug and alcohol therapy.

If you would like to participate in the project please share, and like our page, and feel free to contact me through direct message for inquiries or to do an interview.

Thank you all for your love and support!

[whoisanaddict-blog]

Name: Jake Hometown: Aston, pa Age: 22 Education: Delaware county community college What are some things things you are proud of? The fact that I've made it this far What brings you joy? Music, nature, I guess life in general. What are you grateful for? Family, support system, life in general again. Everything. There's nothing not to be grateful for. What is love to you? The universal energy of compassion. What do you believe in? The universe, how everything is interconnected. I could go on forever about what I believe in. A higher consciousness, how everything is interconnected and everything happens for a reason. I don't know about that, but, the idea of god is that god made us in his image, not his physical image but the spiritual image. Something that you can't see. So in essence when you get in touch with yourself you achieve god consciousness. What are some short term goals you have? Long term? Get a haircut, get a promotion at my current job. Long term, um, broad spectrum, pursue a higher education, have my own house, pursue a legitimate career. Jake is a recovering heroin addict.

[whoisanaddict-blog]

Name: Patrick Hometown: Newton, NH Age: 21 Education: High School Diploma What are some things that you are proud of? I am proud to be a part of the bands I play with and I'm extremely proud to be with my amazing boyfriend. What brings you joy? Playing music and watching others play music brings me the most joy in life. Swimming also brings me a lot of joy. What are you grateful for? I'm grateful for having amazing people in my life. I'm grateful for my family, my partner and for the generous and supportive friends I have. What is love to you? Love to me is caring so much for someone or something that you would do whatever it takes to keep them safe and make them happy. What do you believe in? I believe in my friends and family. It sounds a little cliche but the truth is without the supportive people I have in my life I would not be doing anything to try and help myself or even beginning to recognize my own personal problems and why they affect the bigger things I truly care about in my life. What are some short term goals you have for yourself? Long term? In the short term I'm just trying to find the things that bring me true happiness and try and act upon those things. For long term goals, I really want to be sober, stay sober and find happiness through sobriety. My goal is to be happy about life and not feel the need to make myself numb to the life going on around me.

[whoisanaddict-blog]

Name: Laura Hometown: Guilford, Connecticut Age: 27 Education: high school graduate, junior in college What are some things things you are proud of? Today, I am the proud of the fact that I am sober. After being exposed to AA and continually relapsing, I truly believed I was not worthy of living a life in recovery. When I finally surrendered and listened to all suggestions, I was able to be blessed with a freeing life where I can show up everyday as a responsible adult and wake up happy. I’m also proud of the fact that I have been at the same school for a year and a half and I am so close to graduating. I have enrolled in 5 different schools before I attended the school I am at right now, and I could never manage to actually succeed. The fact that I am able to be in school is a blessing in itself and I am finally studying something I love and doing well at it. What brings you joy? Everything about life brings me joy. My future husband is my rock and has never left my side through all my downfalls. Being with him brings me immense joy and I am now able to love him the way he cares for me. Being with my family, who I was not present with for years bring me joy. I am able to show up to family functions (and actually am wanted there) and am able to be there emotionally for my family with whatever issue they are facing. My dog also brings me so much joy because she is a character and always brings a smile to my face. No matter the stress I’m under or how upset I am about a situation, she always knows a way to bring joy and a smile to my face. What are you grateful for? I try to live my life with immense gratitude. I’m grateful for my family, friends, and my fiancée. My friends in particular I’m extremely grateful for, because without them I am not sure I would be the woman I am today. My friends have loved me relentlessly and without pause no matter the choices I make in life. The friends I have in my life since being sober are one’s I had always dreamed of having. I’m grateful for the simple things, that I have a roof over my head and I am able to take care of it. I’m extremely grateful that I am able to drive and have a car. For years, I had no car because I had crashed them all and lost my license for two years. I am also grateful that I have been in good health for years, after surviving a brain tumor at the age of 16. Through this I have been able to give back to children who are battling cancer by volunteering at a camp for kids with cancer. Most importantly, I am grateful that I am in recovery and am able to live a life beyond my wildest dreams. (I used to hate that saying, but it is true) What is love to you? To me, love is relentless caring and support towards one another. Emotional love is where I would do anything for the ones I care about, no matter what situation I am in mentally. Love is being kind to one another and showing up when they need you most. Loving myself hasn’t always been the easiest, but it’s accepting myself for who I am, despite my inner demons and always believing in myself. The love I have towards the people I am closest to does not come with conditions or an agenda, rather it is an intense feeling of caring and loyalty. Love is treating everyone I meet equally and accepting them for who they are without judgments. What do you believe in? I believe in a power greater than myself, that is so far from the catholic God I grew up with. The God I have now in my life, has kept me safe in dangerous conditions and only wants what’s best for me. I used to think that God had cursed me with my brain tumor, however the God I have right now kept me healthy through it all and has relieved me from the shame and guilt I felt from that time. My God is something that is always by my side rooting me on and showing me the proper way to treat others. I can always reach out to my God, no matter the time or place and I always know He will show me the way. God, to me, is not the big scary man in the sky, rather it’s the nature around me and all the blessings I have been given. What are some short term goals you have for yourself? Long term? Some short term goals for myself is graduating from college and going on for my master’s degree in something I am passionate about. One short and long term goal I have is to continue to grow with my fiancée and learning to accept and love one another even more than we did the day before. In the long run, I would love to own a house, work a job helping others, and continue to be free from the demons in my head through working a program. Laura is a recovering addict.

[whoisanaddict-blog]

Name: Candice Hometown: Ashby, Massachusetts Age: 25 Education: High school graduate, community college

What are some things you are most proud of?

Today, I am most proud of the progress I have made to be the best human being I can possibly be today. I am proud that I am self-sufficient. I am proud of my father for fighting heart disease and continuing to be the strong man he always has been. Lastly, I am proud that my parents are proud of who I am.

What brings you joy? Numerous things bring joy to my life today. My four rescued dogs never leave me without it. Music can always lift my spirits, there is a song for everyone that can just instantly make you happy when it comes over the speakers. Being outside on hikes in the woods, with no distractions from the outside world. Also, the people who are a part of my life today, who loved me when I couldn’t love myself.

What are you grateful for? I am most grateful the ability to feel gratitude. I am grateful for the relationships I was able to rebuild and repair. And the relationships I have gained. As well as having the strength to walk away from the unhealthy ones. I am grateful that I was given time to spend with loved ones who have now passed on. I am grateful I have water, food, and shelter. I am also incredibly thankful that I have hope and faith today. That I am aware and that I can sit with myself and be content. I am grateful my dad is my best friend again. My gratitude list is infinite.

What is love to you?

For me, love is an energy as well as an action. Love is a person, an animal, nature, the universe. Love is tolerant, forgiving, understanding, motivating, tough, and aware.

What do you believe in?

I believe in a high power greater than myself that is personal to me. I believe that if you put out good into the world, it will come around full circle. That there is a greater purpose for everything, even the bad. I have to deepen my perspective to see the true meaning in everything and accept that I may not always find the answer but have faith everything will be as it is supposed to be. I do not control anyone or anything but my own self.

What are some short term goals you have for yourself? Long term?

Some of my short term goals are to continue to work on my house I bought and make it feel like my own home. To continue strengthening my relationships with my family, friends, and higher power. To do whatever I can to help the animals, continuing rescuing like my dogs rescued me. Long term goals. I try not to project too much. I want to continue helping others with addiction and allowing myself to always remain teachable. To keep growing as a human being and live with my depression and anxiety to the best of my ability. I do not want to be materialistic, ever. I just want to make people happy and be happy.

Candice is a recovering addict.

[whoisanaddict-blog]

Name: Kevin Hometown: Brooklyn Ny Age: 28 Education: Clemson University

What are some things things you are proud of?

I’m proud of my experiences, and the range of experiences that I’ve had. Things I’ve come to know and places I’ve been. I’m proud of my understanding of myself, who I am, that’s for sure. Oh! And I’m proud of my kitties

What brings you joy?

Free pizza. Cats. Animals in general. Accomplishing things. Showing people new things and places. Exploring. Treasure, like jewels and gemstones and precious minerals. I love trinkets. You know like ariels cave in the Little Mermaid? I want one of those.

What are you grateful for?

Choice. I’m grateful for the ability to choose the direction my life takes, and choose how I feel about things. To be able to choose who I want to be. Of course I could always go down the list, family, friends, a car to drive, food, the standards, definitely things I’m grateful for. That doesn’t mean I don’t take them for granted at times, I do, but I am grateful.

What is love to you?

A state of being, it’s generally accumulated over time, I think love has a direct correlation to time. It’s definitely a state of being and not just a state of mind.

What do you believe in?

Everything.

What are some short term goals you have for yourself? Long term?

Call my parents (laughs) i’d like to really take care of my responsibilities. Long term I’d like to continue to develop better relationships with my parents and loved ones and to experience as much as possible

Kevin is a recovering heroin addict.

[whoisanaddict-blog]

Name: Sarah Hometown: Augusta, ME Age: 32 Education: Associate of Art in Liberal Studies, Bachelor of Art in Biology - May 2018 What are some things things you are proud of? Mostly, the progress I have made in my life. I will be graduating from college with a BA in biology which is no easy feat. I was able to work in a state laboratory that gave me invaluable experience in my chosen career field. I am active in my community and always try to help others. I have my own apartment, car and full time job and am independent and can provide for myself. What brings you joy? A lot of little things. I absolutely love being near the ocean, it has always made me feel calm and grounded. My friendships and my family connections are also very important to me. Seeing other people happy and working on themselves always brings joy into my life, it is a miracle to see people turn their lives around for the better. The summer brings me joy, as do animals, music, and numerous creative outlets. What are you grateful for? I am grateful for the life I have. My family and friends. That I have a place to live, food to eat, and even things that I may not need but wanted. I am grateful for the learning experiences that I have had in my life, for the people who believed in me when I did not. For people allowing me to live my consequences when it was hardest for them to watch. I am grateful for my support system and that I found people to show me how to better myself. What is love to you? Love is kindness but firmness. Compassion and empathy. Honesty. A best friend or a caring family member. A pet. A series of chemical reactions. Inside myself. Something I try to give freely. Vulnerability. Something everyone deserves but may not get. An inside job. What do you believe in? I believe in myself and others. Science. Spirituality. That everyone can change if they are ready. That there are two wolves inside ourselves, light and dark, and whichever one you feed most is more prevalent. Recovery. My own version of a greater being than myself. That I will continue to do amazing things with my life. What are some short term goals you have for yourself? Long term? short term goals at the moment: GRADUATE! And to continue to better myself in any way I can. Stay in today. Long term: go get my masters, find a job in my career field, maybe have kids? Get a house? Live in the city again? The future is always changing. Sarah is a recovering heroin addict.

[whoisanaddict-blog]

Name: Noelle Hometown: Florida Age: 24 Education: high school graduate, pasco hernando community college What are some things you are most proud of? I'm proud of the person that I am today. I'm proud of the work that I've put in especially in my most recent therapy. I'm proud of my mom, she's a cancer survivor and she's been sick, she's the strongest woman I know. I'm proud of my dad because we're a single income family and I'm so proud of all the work he puts in. What brings you joy? Music is definitely, like, the biggest thing for me, that's what makes me happiest, and when I'm at the beach. When things are going well and I'm doing the right things. What are you grateful for? I'm grateful for my family, I'm grateful for my health. I'm grateful for my car, and all the friends that I have. What is love to you? For me love is universal. It's something that is more than a feeling it's almost like intuition, you can feel it but you can't see it, you can't taste it, you can't touch it, but that's what love is. What do you believe in? I believe in progression, I believe that anything is possible and I believe in a power greater than myself. What are some short term goals you have for yourself? Long term? I want to go back to school, I'd like to work with animals and help people. I'd like to get a career and be successful and self supporting. I'd like to go to veterinary school. Noelle is a recovering addict.

[whoisanaddict-blog]

The Face of an Addict

Addiction doesn't have a face. It doesn't have an ethnicity or background, and it doesn't discriminate. We are here to break the stigma about what an addict looks like, talks like, walks like, and does. Addiction is a human disease as defined by the American society of addiction. It can affect anyone anywhere and awareness of this fact could save a loved one's life. Don't make assumptions, get educated and be AWARE.