I've literally heard this story over ten times in my life, and to me, it's one of the most inspiring stories ever to the point that I thought to myself. If the only benefit of learning English was understanding this message as clearly as I did, then it would've been enough to me.
Troy was a normal kid who grew up in a lovely and supportive family. He had a promising future working with his father in their business and life seemed to be on track.
Things began to shift in high school when Troy was introduced to drugs. He started as a recreational drug user, so drugs seemed harmless and fun to him, but soon this recreational drug use began to spiral out of control.
Troy found himself unable to stop using drugs, and it has started to interfere with all areas of his life. including his job and personal relationships, Troy enjoyed the feeling of breaking the law and getting high, and using became more important to him than every other thing.
Troy started stealing money from their pizza business to buy drugs, he felt bad about it but his addiction got out of control, so he had no other options.
When Troy's father knew about his repetitive stealing, he kicked him out of his home and business, not because he stole his money but he knew that if his son continued to use drugs he'll lose him forever.
Troy became a drug dealer to afford using and paying rent, but he couldn't.
When Troy found Narcotics Anonymous, he was ready to ask for help as he had reached the bottom. He started attending meetings and working the 12 steps.
Troy found a new life without drugs, he said and I quote:
"I came here desperate and hopeless, and I didn't even know I was
desperate and hopeless, you know I just needed a break, I just needed a
minute to regroup, I just needed to kind of get my sh!t together, and then I
could get back out of there again. And what I found was a new way of life,
I found something I wasn't even looking for I didn't even know I was looking
for it''.
I highly recommend that you listen to his story at least once in your life, as I'm sure you'll find plenty of things to learn from it.
Troy S. - NA Speaker - "Escaping from the Prison of Addiction"