Bobby Sheehan: from being helped to the one who helps others

Want to share your story with us? - www.recovery-journey.com/shar...
Bobby Narrates his Journey through addiction to recovery.
"My name is Bobby, and I'm in long-term recovery. I’m about three and a half years clean.”
Bobby started using drugs at the age of 14.
“I started with heroin; with a syringe immediately. Living in Massachusetts with my dad, we were in a lot of trouble. He ended up getting arrested and going to prison. I had to come back to live with my mother. Pills were available to me easily; whether through my mom or my brother. Instead of heroin, I started using pills every day.
I've been to prison three times. I had to ask my mother to help me get into detox. I was sent to a rehab in Florida, where I did well. I started learning how to fake my way through treatment.
Consequently, I got good at the literature and putting my hand up to feed people with what I thought they wanted to hear.
I came through the chief of police from Sanford who wanted to help me. She wanted me to get on Suboxone. I started doing well. I’d take my urine tests, and it would come up completely clean with no Suboxone in my system. They thought I was selling it and sent me away.
I wasn't on probation, so I overdosed again, and my arm got infected. I was in a terrible shape when I called the same counsellor that I had through the Suboxone program. It was my 22nd time going through there, so everybody knew me.
The doctor came in the next day and said, “You’ll get six months of treatment at the serenity house. I want you to do 90 meetings in 90 days. After your 90 days, I want you to come back and speak at the detox.” I had had enough. Instead of doing the 90 meetings, I did 210.”
What Recovery Looks Like Currently for Booby
“I'm getting married. I’m a peer support specialist, Narcan trainer, and I’m moving into my own house in two weeks; which I never thought would happen.
Working in this place shows me what would happen if I go back. Working there has been a big part of me staying sober. It's incredible that I can take somebody who was just as bad as me or worse and help them get into detox, treatment, into sober living and then offer them a job.”
Advice to Someone Who’s tried Recovery Several Times and Failed
"When I talk to someone in the day room up there, I'm like: you're sitting in my seat. I used to sit there, on my 21st time here. If I can get off the couch, you can. If I can do it, you can do it.
I lost my brother to an overdose. But the whole house came together and met me at my mother's house. All these people got together, so I wasn't able to mess up. There's a bunch of people here who'll help you out.
Facebook: / recovery.journey.in.maine
LinkedIn: / journey-magazine
Website: www.recovery-journey.com/