Dakota K. Success Story
Dakota K.'s Testimonial for Design for Recovery
It’s been a long strange journey from where I started to where I’m at now. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I started off drinking and smoking marijuana in high school. I never really fit in anywhere very well so I hid behind drugs to mask my awkwardness.
I graduated quickly to cough syrup and acid to get a better high and eventually I was getting high before school. I started skipping classes to smoke more and just wasn’t paying attention to the direction my life was heading.
When I was in tenth grade my mother was diagnosed with appendix cancer, and y stepfather was on his way to prison. The only way I knew how to deal with all of this was getting high and it led to me dropping out of high school.
I was living with my father and stepmother at the time and they told me if I couldn’t follow their rules then I had to leave. I was eighteen at the time and so I left and this began my battle with homelessness.
I stayed on various people’s couches and at friend’s houses until my mother let me come live with her. I got a job to support her and my stepfather while he was fighting his case. I started going through my parent’s medicine cabinets, taking random pills or anything that I could find to get me high.
Eventually my stepfather went to prison and our house was foreclosed on. I moved in with my older sister who was battling a heroin addiction.
From there is where I really feel like I lost myself. I soon after started doing meth and heroin. I couldn’t hold a job, couldn’t pay rent, and the only thing I knew how to do was get high. My father saw what was happening and sent my sister to rehab.
My mother passed away, and this drove me to use more and more until I eventually ended up in jail for the first time. I was in jail for about two months and immediately started using when I got out.
After this, I moved to Florida with a girlfriend and before I knew it I was living in a community park with a crippling drug and alcohol addiction. I slowly destroyed every relationship that I ever managed to make. I embarrassed everyone that was around me time after time. While in Florida I ended up in jail yet again, this time for fighting a police officer. I spent almost four months behind bars before I was release to a rehab facility. I stayed there until my case was resolved and then went back to the streets.
Before the seven months of sobriety I now have, I hopped around rehabs in Florida for a while until I found myself on a plane headed for Los Angeles. I didn’t get sober as soon as I got to California; it took about another year and a half. This last time around I just completely gave up fighting and finally surrendered. I realized I wasn’t going to beat this, not on my own at least.
Thankfully I ended up at Design For Recovery Sober Living. It was exactly where I needed to be. Design taught me how to be a better person. They also helped me learn how to laugh at the little things and still take care of my responsibilities. I learned how to pull up my sober brothers when they are slipping and how to take in feedback when I was slipping. I’ve been at Design For Recovery for seven months now and I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am for the people I’m with and the relationships I have with the people at this program.
Stories of Hope & Healing
Hear What Our Alumni Have to Say About Our Community
Excellent choice for anyone in need of support through challenging times in their lives. My brother entered the program almost 4 years ago and has never looked back. Now actually employed within the company and able to help others as they connect with him well knowing he has been in their shoes at one time! Been the best choice of his life and I couldn’t be prouder of him or the staff who helped him get there!
Damon McCrystalIf I have ever felt truly apart of something positive, it would be Design For Recovery. I’ve spent alot of time in and out through different programs, some good, some bad, but nothing even comes close to the experience that I’ve had, and am still having at this place. Truly blessed and grateful that something has actually given me my life back. Professional staff, clean homes, and people that actually care about seeing you succeed. Thank you DFR!
Taylor AullMy son has been living in a sober living home which has taught him how to control his addiction and become a better person. This house is very well maintained and beautiful. Because they have gone through the program themselves and are familiar with it, house managers are able to guide you during the whole process. Attending meetings on a weekly basis and keeping a clean environment contributed to his growth.
Alice BlackIn my opinion, this is one of the TOP resources that contributed to saving my son’s life. Staff and managers go above and beyond to make sure your transition after detox or rehab is as smooth as possible. If you’re truly committed to your recovery, then this is the place for you. The house is comfortable and in an excellent location. Choosing a sober living home in Los Angeles for my son was the best decision I could have made.
Camille JonesMy son Zachary was at his breaking point his mother and I had sent him to multiple rehabilitation centers and other sober livings. Nothing seemed to work. Then Design For Recovery gave Zach the gift of the opportunity to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. The accountability within the house is amazing. The loving and understanding kindness of the staff gave him a good example of how to conduct himself as a sober person. (1/2)
Juana BlackZach was never told what to do just given the opportunity to do it with kind understanding, guidance and direction. It was very clear to us that he was in a great place that genuinely cared about sobriety. The opportunity that Zach was given of a safe, sound and sane place to be at while he recovered from this horrific addiction has allowed him to re-establish my relationships with us, his family, Zach’s life was literally saved in this place I will forever be grateful for Design. (2/2)
Juana BlackDesign For Recovery’s sober living environment is definitely the best I’ve ever sent my son to for sure. Micah has been to other places that were not even close in comparison. If you follow their rules and actually open your mind up to new ways of living you won’t regret it. I recommend their sober living for those who really need a structured environment to grow in, the way they have it set up will definitely help change the way you view or do things for the better. It has truly set my son on the right path. Thank you Design!
Benjamin E. PalazzoloDesign For Recovery is a great place to send a loved one or yourself. Very attentive staff and great therapists. They really care about the clients and offer AA meetings to go to every night. The scenery is beautiful and the houses are incredible. The owner is a really great guy who honestly cares about what he's doing.
Marcella ThompsonApply for our Sober Living
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