Addiction is often a bleak subject, but Thursday’s discussion at the Jaffrey Fire Department gave those in attendance a glimmer of hope.
Four people in recovery shared their stories, showing that addiction to drugs and alcohol is something that can be beat.
“People do get well,” said Joe Nolte of Peterborough, who has been in recovery for almost seven years and now works in the treatment industry.
“It’s a really cool thing to watch and to be a part of,” he said.
Nolte told the audience of about 20 his story of drug addiction and recovery, which began with his first drink when he was 10.
“I immediately knew that my drinking habits were different than my friends. I drank until I blacked out and I always wanted to do it again,” said Nolte. “My insecurities were all gone; it was like breathing for the first time.”
Nolte’s drinking would escalate as he grew older, and he would begin “dabbling” with other substances, including opiates, at the age of 16. In seventh grade, Notle said he began selling stolen goods, something that “gave [him] a rush.”
“I don’t think I drew a sober breath for two to three years,” said Nolte, who said he was on some form of drug or alcohol 24/7 by the age of 19.
Nolte would eventually get some much needed help after reaching out to his sister, who is a drug counselor. Nolte spent a year in detox, and would ultimately find his way to sobriety with the help of a 12-step program.
“It was life changing in a way that I can’t explain,” said Nolte.
Heather Burt said her largest struggle in getting clean was the lack of services in the area. Burt, a Jaffrey resident, said she had tried many times to get clean from her addiction to alcohol, heroin, crack, and other substances – at one point staying sober for three months – but didn’t find the answer until she was admitted to a rehab facility in Rhode Island.
“It was those baby steps [that helped me,]” said Burt, who said Thursday she had been sober for 182 days. “I was kind of just existing; breathing was hard enough. Without that structure, I wouldn’t have made it.”
Tom Decker said overcoming his addiction “took [him] almost 40 years to figure out,” eventually taking solace in God and a recovery Bible that his brother gave to him.
“It was the only thing that gave me peace,” said Decker, who has been sober 14 years. “It was like I was possessed by something else. And it’s been that way for 14 years.”
Tyler Allgood, 27, speculated Thursday that since he was 10, he has only had about six months worth of sobriety, using drugs as a way to escape reality.
Allgood said that he has been sober for just over a month, although he has tried about 15 other times to get sober.
“By the grace of God, I have two and a half year away from opiates,” said Allgood, who said in that time he was still drinking and doing other drugs in that time period.
Currently, Allgood is taking part in a program at Hampstead Hospital, coupled with relying on a higher power and a 12-step program.
“The fact that I get another chance is a true blessing,” said Allgood.
The event was sponsored by Reality Check and JR Alive.