When Jacob left Phoenix, he believed he was pursuing freedom. A talented cook with a strong resume, he envisioned traveling and working in new places. “I was doing good, working right across from the Chase Stadium, cooking for celebrities.” But underneath that excitement, Jacob was already battling substance use. What had begun as occasional partying had turned into a lifestyle that was increasingly out of his control. Hoping that a fresh start might help, Jacob moved to Buffalo with a roommate, but things actually got worse. “He took all my money and just left me,” Jacob said quietly. Alone in an unfamiliar city, with no family and nowhere to live, he ended up unhoused and struggling to survive. His substance use intensified, and despite telling himself things would improve if he got a job, nothing got better.
When the Compass Finally Shifted
Eventually Jacob hit what he describes as his lowest point and realized that nothing would change unless he asked for help. He entered treatment at White Deer Run, in rural Pennsylvania. “It was supposed to be 28 days,” he said with a gentle laugh, “but I stayed three months.” The remote setting and structured environment helped him find peace and stability. Jacob then moved to Horizons for five more months and in the spring of this year, he joined Caz and moved into Unity House. “I started realizing I was more than what I thought,” he reflected. For the first time in years, Jacob gained confidence in himself and his recovery. Jacob quickly became an active part of the Unity House community and now serves as the president of the program. He advocates for others and helps maintain a supportive environment. “I never imagined I’d be president of anything,” he said. “I’m not the guy stumbling around anymore. I’m someone people come to for help.”
Recovery, Reframed
Support from his recovery coach and counselor made a critical difference. “My coach went through what I went through. I could really talk to him. He understood.” Creativity has also played a major role in Jacob’s healing. As an artist with a deep passion for design, he began painting canvases for fellow residents completing the program. “It was for them, but it was really for me,” he said. “It felt good to give something meaningful.” Those paintings still resonate, and people still send him photos of the pieces they took with them.
Choosing the Future Over the Past
When asked about the roommate who abandoned him in Buffalo, Jacob pauses. “I’ve known him since I was 16. But if I saw him today, I’d just walk away. My future is more important.” He often reflects on how different things could have turned out. “I think about where I was. How low it got. But I’m not there anymore. I’m here, and I’m still moving forward.” One of the lessons that has fueled Jacob’s growth is being open. “Never stop listening,” he said. “Even when you think you’ve heard it all before. Just keep listening. The right person might say the right thing at the right time. You already know the old way doesn’t work. Eventually, you have to want something better.”
Looking Ahead: Building What Comes Next
Jacob ultimately wants to open a tattoo shop. “That’s the goal,” he said, “but I know I need stable housing and a job first. I have to be realistic. Then I can work toward an apprenticeship. I know the steps now.” Toward this goal, he is also studying to obtain his GED. Jacob has built a new sense of family through the recovery community. “Some of the people I’ve met in recovery understand me better than anyone else ever has. I’ve found community here. I’m not alone.”
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