Coming to the Drug Alternative Program has been the best decision I have ever made. While I was addicted to alcohol, marijuana, and pills, I hit the dead end a few times and went right back to the same pattern of stealing from family and making desperate choices to support my habit. I could always hide it for a little while or make my problem look less severe than it really was but eventually I would lose whatever job I had, friends that trusted me, girlfriends who tried to endure, classes I tried to take, and obviously, any money or resources I had. I would lose it ALL.
Finally, I made the decision to come to DAP where I got intensive long-term help from Mr. and Mrs. Harris who showed me what being Christian looks like and how to re-establish my own personal relationship with Christ. I also was mentored by top notch graduates and counselors who understand what addiction and recovery are like. I lived in the transition home while working as a substitute teacher and attending classes at La Sierra University as a student in the Master’s program. After graduating from the University, I married my fiancé, Kelsey Cherepuschak, MD, in September 2016. She is a resident physician at Loma Linda University and I am a teacher at Redlands Academy. The Lord has blessed me far beyond my expectations. I still ride the ups and downs of life’s waves but things are constantly looking up for my wife and me and we are growing and moving forward with His plans for our lives.