Recently a few members of the Country Road Recovery Team got together to talk about their own experiences with addiction and recovery. Eventually the conversation centered around April whose addiction hit like a freight train—fast, hard, and early. We talked about everything from the dangers of teenage drug use to healing, faith, and the power of sharing your journey with others. These were our main takeaways.
For some folks, addiction is a slow progression over many years. The moderate drinker becomes the heavy drinker who eventually turns into the alcoholic. For other people, they do drugs one time and the game is on.
“I started using IV drugs at 15 years old,” April shared. “The very first time I used a hard drug, I shot up. I didn’t progress to that—it was immediate.”
Addiction doesn’t follow a pattern; it’s cunning, baffling, and powerful. Early use, especially during adolescence, can drastically increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder. The teenage brain is under heavy construction during that time, making it more vulnerable to the effects of drugs—and more likely to crave the escape they offer.
April was what may be referred to as a "functioning addict." She was a cheerleader, a dancer, and a high-achiever. On the outside she appeared to have it all together. Even though she was falling apart on the inside.
“I was a great performer. And I don’t just mean on stage. I was really good at pretending everything was okay,” she said.
It’s not uncommon for people struggling with addiction to wear masks. It’s a survival mechanism. In order to keep their addiction going, they have to blend in - appear to be functioning normally. Some people have been doing this long before they started using, to hide their mental or emotional trauma or struggles.
April described it this way: “I’ve said many times I feel like I was born with a seed inside of me. Just this dark little seed. And it took root when I found drugs and alcohol.”
That feeling of disconnect is more common than most people realize. You’re not broken, and you’re not alone.
In AA, the program talks about finding a higher power. For April, this higher power was her lifeline. One of the most powerful parts of her story is her connection to spirituality.
“My relationship with God is everything,” she said. “That relationship has allowed me to forgive myself, to live with joy, and to keep moving forward.”
While not everyone’s recovery includes religion, many people find comfort and meaning through spirituality—whether it’s prayer, nature, meditation, or a deep belief in something bigger than themselves.
“I’m not even who I used to be,” April said. “Recovery didn’t just give me my life back—it gave me a life I didn’t even know I could have.”
Recovery is a beautiful, messy, and amazing process. It grants people a new freedom to become a better version of themselves. Someone who is stronger, wiser, and more authentic than the version who used substances to hide behind.
April’s difficult past is now one of her greatest assets. By sharing her story, she helps others feel seen, heard, and less alone.
“To have someone say, ‘This is what I went through, and this is what helped me,’ can change everything for someone still in it,” she said.
Whether you’re the one struggling or someone who loves them, stories like April’s open the door to understanding, compassion, and hope.
Addiction ripples out—touching parents, siblings, partners, and friends.
April knows this firsthand. Not only did she experience addiction personally, but she also lived through the pain of watching loved ones struggle.
“There’s a different kind of grief when you watch someone disappear in front of you, and you can’t do anything to stop it,” she shared.
But families can heal too. Recovery includes repairing relationships, rebuilding trust, and learning how to support each other in new, healthier ways.
Whether you’re 15 or 50, whether you’ve been hiding your struggle or carrying someone else’s pain—there is a way forward.
Need help or know someone who does? Don’t wait. Reach out. Talk to someone. You’re not alone—and neither are they.